Method and installation for the production of containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a method or producing a container from a thermoplastic blank ( 2 ), comprising: a step in which the blank ( 2 ) is heated using at least one beam ( 22 ) of coherent electromagnetic radiation, and a step in which the container is formed from the bank ( 2 ) thus heated. The invention also relates to an installation ( 1 ) which is used to produce containers ( 2 ) and which comprises a unit ( 16 ) for heating the blanks ( 2 ) in order to form containers from the blanks ( 2 ) thus heated. The inventive installation ( 1 ) defines a path ( 23 ) along which the blanks ( 2 ) travel inside the heating unit ( 16 ). In addition, the heating unit ( 16 ) comprises at least one coherent electromagnetic radiation source ( 26 ) which is directed towards a zone ( 25 ) that is located on the aforementioned path ( 23 ).

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
   
   
       35 . A method for producing a container from a thermoplastic parison, which involves:
 a step of heating the parison performed by means of at least one beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation, then   a step of forming the container from the parison thus heated,   the method being characterized in that the heating of the parison is performed by means of a plurality of superposed beams of electromagnetic radiation.   
   
   
       36 . The method as claimed in  claim 35 , in which the heating of the parison is performed by means of a plurality of adjacent beams of electromagnetic radiation. 
   
   
       37 . The method as claimed in  claim 35 , in which each beam is planar. 
   
   
       38 . The method as claimed in  claim 35 , in which each beam is directed in a predetermined overall direction and in which, during the heating step, the parison is at least locally made to follow a path substantially perpendicular to the direction of the beam. 
   
   
       39 . The method as claimed in  claim 35 , in which each beam is directed in a predetermined overall direction and in which, in the heating step, the parison is at least locally made to follow a path substantially parallel to the overall direction of the beam. 
   
   
       40 . The method as claimed in  claim 35 , in which, in the heating step, the parison is rotated about a predetermined axis. 
   
   
       41 . The method as claimed in  claim 40 , in which said axis of rotation coincides with an axis of revolution of the parison. 
   
   
       42 . The method as claimed in  claim 35 , in which, with the parison having a neck and a body, the beam of electromagnetic radiation is directed toward the body of the parison. 
   
   
       43 . The method as claimed in  claim 42 , in which, during the heating step, the neck of the parison is directed upward. 
   
   
       44 . The method as claimed in  claim 42 , in which the neck of the parison is ventilated. 
   
   
       45 . The method as claimed in  claim 35 , in which, in the heating step, the beam is reflected at least once off a reflective surface. 
   
   
       46 . The method as claimed in  claim 35 , in which said beam is a laser beam. 
   
   
       47 . The method as claimed in  claim 35 , in which the radiation from the beam is infrared radiation. 
   
   
       48 . The method as claimed in  claim 47 , in which the wavelength of the radiation is less than or equal to about 1600 nm. 
   
   
       49 . The method as claimed in  claim 48 , in which the wavelength of the radiation is between about 700 nm and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       50 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons, which comprises a heating unit for heating the parisons with a view to forming the containers from the parisons thus heated, the installation defining a path but the parisons are intended to follow within the heating unit, characterized in that the heating unit comprises at least one source of coherent electromagnetic radiation directed toward a region situated on the path of the parisons. 
   
   
       51 . The installation as claimed in  claim 50 , in which, with the path of the parisons being substantially linear, said plurality of sources of radiation is directed transversely with respect to said path. 
   
   
       52 . The installation as claimed in  claim 51 , in which the heating unit comprises a row of adjacent radiation sources arranged parallel to the path. 
   
   
       53 . The installation as claimed in  claim 52 , in which the heating unit comprises several superposed rows of radiation sources arranged parallel to the path. 
   
   
       54 . The installation as claimed in  claim 53 , in which the heating unit comprises a chamber comprising a first wall and a second wall facing one another and substantially parallel to the path of the parisons, these walls being positioned one on each side of this path and together delimiting an internal volume, the first wall being equipped with a plurality of superposed parallel slits facing each of which there is positioned, on the opposite side to the internal volume, a row of radiation sources. 
   
   
       55 . The installation as claimed in  claim 54 , in which the second wall at least, on the same side as the internal volume, has a reflective internal surface. 
   
   
       56 . The installation as claimed in  claim 54 , in which the heating unit comprises a ventilation system able to generate an air flow passing through a region situated vertically in line with said chamber. 
   
   
       57 . The installation as claimed in  claim 50 , in which, with the path of the parisons being substantially linear, said source of radiation is directed parallel to said path. 
   
   
       58 . The installation as claimed in  claim 56 , which comprises an opaque screen positioned facing the source of radiation. 
   
   
       59 . The installation as claimed in  claim 56 , which comprises at least two successive heating units. 
   
   
       60 . The installation as claimed in  claim 50 , in which, with the path of the parisons being substantially circular, the heating unit comprises a plurality of successive chambers positioned along the path, each chamber having two cylindrical walls facing each other and positioned one on each side of the path and together defining an internal cavity, each wall having several adjacent reflective facets facing toward the cavity, the source of electromagnetic radiation being directed toward one of these facets and the facets are not exactly parallel with their pair but together define an angle of a few degrees. 
   
   
       61 . The installation as claimed in  claim 60 , which comprises an opaque screen adjacent to one of the facets. 
   
   
       62 . The installation as claimed in  claim 50 , in which, with the parisons having an axis of revolution, the heating unit comprises means for rotating the parisons about their axis. 
   
   
       63 . The installation as claimed in  claim 50 , in which the source of coherent electromagnetic radiation is a laser source. 
   
   
       64 . The installation as claimed in  claim 63 , in which the source of coherent electromagnetic radiation is a laser diode. 
   
   
       65 . The installation as claimed in  claim 64 , in which the laser diode is designed to emit a planar laser beam. 
   
   
       66 . The installation as claimed in  claim 64 , in which the heating unit comprises at least one block or one array of juxtaposed laser diodes. 
   
   
       67 . A system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic components prior to molding operations comprising:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the plastic components are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to increase the radiant energy absorbed by the plastic components based on an absorptive characteristic of the plastic components.   
   
   
       68 . A system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic components prior to molding operations comprising:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the plastic components are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected for efficient heating of the plastic components based on an absorptive characteristic of the plastic components.   
   
   
       69 . A system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic components prior to molding operations comprising:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the plastic components are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of radiant energy absorbed by the plastic components for a given power density.   
   
   
       70 . A system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic components prior to molding operations comprising:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the plastic components are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the plastic.   
   
   
       71 . A system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic components having at least one predetermined thickness prior to molding operations comprising:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the plastic components are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the plastic components based on an absorptive characteristic of the plastic components.   
   
   
       72 . A system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic components prior to molding operations comprising:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the plastic components are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the plastic components to a desired temperature based on an absorptive characteristic of the plastic components.   
   
   
       73 . A system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic components used in molding operations comprising:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the plastic components are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the plastic components to a desired temperature based on an absorptive characteristic of the plastic components.   
   
   
       74 . A system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic components comprising:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the plastic components are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the plastic components to a desired temperature based on an absorptive characteristic of the plastic components.   
   
   
       75 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more sources of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation operative to emit said radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to increase the energy absorbed by the parisons based on an absorptive characteristic of the parisons.   
   
   
       76 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more sources of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation operative to emit said radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected for efficiently heating the parisons based on an absorptive characteristic of the parisons.   
   
   
       77 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more sources of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation operative to emit said radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the parisons for a given power density.   
   
   
       78 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more sources of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation operative to emit said radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the parisons.   
   
   
       79 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons having at least one predetermined thickness by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more sources of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation operative to emit said radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the parisons.   
   
   
       80 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more sources of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation operative to emit said radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the parisons to a desired temperature.   
   
   
       81 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser sources operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to increase the energy absorbed by the parisons based on an absorptive characteristic of the parisons.   
   
   
       82 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser sources operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected for efficiently heating the parisons based on an absorptive characteristic of the parisons.   
   
   
       83 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser sources operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the parisons for a given power density.   
   
   
       84 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser sources operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the parisons.   
   
   
       85 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons having at least one predetermined thickness by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a feed unit to supply the parisons to a heating unit in which the parisons are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser heating sources operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the parisons.   
   
   
       86 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser sources operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the parisons to a desired temperature.   
   
   
       87 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to increase the energy absorbed by the parisons based on an absorptive characteristic of the parisons.   
   
   
       88 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected for efficiently heating the parisons based on an absorptive characteristic of the parisons.   
   
   
       89 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the parisons for a given power density.   
   
   
       90 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the parisons.   
   
   
       91 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons having at least one predetermined thickness by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a feed unit to supply the parisons to a heating unit in which the parisons are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the parisons.   
   
   
       92 . An installation for producing containers from thermoplastic parisons by heating the parisons prior to molding, which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more near infrared laser diode heating elements operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the parisons to a desired temperature.   
   
   
       93 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  68 , or  71  wherein the feed unit is a transfer line operative to transport the plastic components. 
   
   
       94 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  68  or  71  wherein an electrical supply current is continuous to the laser diode heating elements whereby a continuous radiant energy output results. 
   
   
       95 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  68  or  71  further comprising at least one of a ventilation cooling device or a water cooling device configured to remove heat from within the heating unit. 
   
   
       96 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  68  or  71  further comprising a ventilation cooling device to remove heat from within the heating unit. 
   
   
       97 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  68  or  71  further comprising a water cooling device to remove heat from within the heating unit. 
   
   
       98 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  68  or  71  further comprising both a ventilation cooling device and a water cooling device to remove heat from within the heating unit. 
   
   
       99 . The system claimed in any one of  claims 67 ,  68  or  71  wherein power applied to the one or more laser diodes heating elements is regulated based on a desired temperature of the plastic components. 
   
   
       100 . The system claimed in  claim 99  further comprising achieving at least one desired temperature of subsections of the plastic components by regulating the power of the one or more laser diodes heating elements to apply laser diode emissions to the subsections. 
   
   
       101 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  68  or  71  wherein the one or more laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a range of between 700 to 1600 nm wavelength. 
   
   
       102 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  68  or  71  wherein the one or more laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy at a wavelength within at least one narrow wavelength range specifically selected to provide a desired heating quality to a particular plastic component. 
   
   
       103 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser diodes operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to increase the energy absorbed by the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       104 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser diodes operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected for efficiently heating the preforms based on an absorptive characteristic of the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       105 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser diodes operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the preforms for a given power density; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       106 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser diodes operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       107 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms having at least one predetermined thickness prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser diodes operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       108 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser diodes operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the preforms to a desired temperature; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       109 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms used in stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser diodes operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the preforms for a given power density; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       110 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser diodes operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the preforms for a given power density; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       111 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using sources of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected for efficiently heating the preforms based on an absorptive characteristic of the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       112 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using sources of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the preforms for a given power density; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       113 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using sources of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       114 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms having at least one predetermined thickness prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using sources of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       115 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms sources of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the preforms to a desired temperature; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       116 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms used in stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using sources of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the preforms for a given power density; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       117 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using sources of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the preforms for a given power density; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       118 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser sources operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected for efficiently heating the preforms based on an absorptive characteristic of the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       119 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser sources operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the preforms for a given power density; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       120 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser sources operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       121 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms having at least one predetermined thickness prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser sources operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       122 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser sources operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the preforms to a desired temperature; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       123 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms used in stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser sources operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the preforms for a given power density; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       124 . The method as set forth in any one of  claims 103 ,  105  or  108  further comprising achieving at least one desired temperature of subsections of the preforms by regulating the power of the laser diodes to apply near-infrared radiant heating to the subsections. 
   
   
       125 . A system for selectively injecting radiant heat into a target, the system comprising:
 at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element, the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected for efficient heating of the target based on an absorptive characteristic of the target;   the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the target; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element.   
   
   
       126 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison, the installation comprising:
 at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element, the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to increase the energy absorbed by the parison;   the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element.   
   
   
       127 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison having at least one predetermined thickness, the installation comprising:
 at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element, the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the parison for a given power density;   the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at a parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element.   
   
   
       128 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison having at least one predetermined thickness, the installation comprising:
 at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element, the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the parison;   the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at a parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element.   
   
   
       129 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison having at least one predetermined thickness, the installation comprising:
 at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element, the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the parison;   the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at a parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element.   
   
   
       130 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison, the installation comprising:
 at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element, the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the parison to a desired temperature;   the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one solid state near infrared radiation emitting diode element.   
   
   
       131 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison, the installation comprising:
 at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation, the at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to increase the energy absorbed by the parison;   the at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation.   
   
   
       132 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison having at least one predetermined thickness, the installation comprising:
 at least source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation, the at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the parison for a given power density;   the at least source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at a parison; and   a source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation.   
   
   
       133 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison having at least one predetermined thickness, the installation comprising:
 at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation, the at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the parison;   the at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at a parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation.   
   
   
       134 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison having at least one predetermined thickness, the installation comprising:
 at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation, the at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the parison;   the at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at a parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation.   
   
   
       135 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison, the installation comprising:
 at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation, the at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the parison to a desired temperature;   the at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one source of near infrared coherent electromagnetic radiation.   
   
   
       136 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison, the installation comprising:
 at least one near infrared laser radiation source, the at least one near infrared laser radiation source being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to increase the energy absorbed by the parison;   the at least one near infrared laser radiation source positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one near infrared laser radiation source.   
   
   
       137 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison having at least one predetermined thickness, the installation comprising:
 at least one near infrared laser radiation source, the at least one near infrared laser radiation source being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the parison for a given power density;   the at least one near infrared laser radiation source positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at a parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one near infrared laser radiation source.   
   
   
       138 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison having at least one predetermined thickness, the installation comprising:
 at least one near infrared laser radiation source, the at least one near infrared laser radiation source being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the parison;   the at least one near infrared laser radiation source positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at a parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one near infrared laser radiation source.   
   
   
       139 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison having at least one predetermined thickness, the installation comprising:
 at least one near infrared laser diode, the at least one near infrared laser radiation source being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the parison;   the at least one near infrared laser radiation source positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at a parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one near infrared laser radiation source.   
   
   
       140 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison, the installation comprising:
 at least one near infrared laser diode, the at least one near infrared laser radiation source being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the parison to a desired temperature;   the at least one near infrared laser radiation source positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one near infrared laser radiation source.   
   
   
       141 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison, the installation comprising:
 at least one near infrared laser diode, the at least one near infrared laser radiation source being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to increase the energy absorbed by the parison;   the at least one near infrared laser radiation source positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one near infrared laser radiation source.   
   
   
       142 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison having at least one predetermined thickness, the installation comprising:
 at least one near infrared laser diode, the at least one near infrared laser radiation source being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the parison for a given power density;   the at least one near infrared laser radiation source positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at a parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one near infrared laser radiation source.   
   
   
       143 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison having at least one predetermined thickness, the installation comprising:
 at least one near infrared laser diode, the at least one near infrared laser radiation source being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the parison;   the at least one near infrared laser diode, positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at a parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one near infrared laser radiation source.   
   
   
       144 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison having at least one predetermined thickness, the installation comprising:
 at least one near infrared laser diode, the at least one near infrared laser radiation source being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the parison;   the at least one near infrared laser radiation source positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at a parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one near infrared laser radiation source.   
   
   
       145 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison, the installation comprising:
 at least one near infrared laser diode, the at least one near infrared laser radiation source being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the parison to a desired temperature;   the at least one near infrared laser radiation source positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one near infrared laser radiation source.   
   
   
       146 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  68  or  71  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements take the form of an array or stack of individual near infrared laser diodes. 
   
   
       147 . The installation of any one of  claims 126 ,  132 ,  137 ,  143  or  145  comprising an array or stack of individual near-infrared laser diodes which are adapted to carry out the irradiation. 
   
   
       148 . The system of  claim 146  wherein the array comprises individual near infrared laser diodes jointly mounted directly on a support. 
   
   
       149 . The system of  claim 146  wherein the support on which the near infrared laser diodes are mounted is operative to conduct heat away from the near infrared laser diodes. 
   
   
       150 . The system of  claim 149  wherein the support on which the near infrared laser diodes are mounted has a cooling device associated therewith for conducting heat away from the near infrared laser diodes and the support. 
   
   
       151 . The system of  claim 149  wherein the support operative for conducting heat away includes an internal water-cooling circuit operative to move the heat from the system. 
   
   
       152 . The system of  claim 146  wherein the array of individual near infrared laser diodes comprises more than one near infrared laser diodes, each emitting a different wavelength. 
   
   
       153 . The system of  claim 146  wherein the array of individual near infrared laser diodes comprises two different near infrared laser diodes, each emitting a different wavelength between 700 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       154 . The system of  claim 153  wherein the array of individual near infrared laser diodes comprises a first diode emitting a wavelength of 808 nm and a second diode emitting a wavelength of 940 nm. 
   
   
       155 . The system of  claim 146  wherein the array or stack comprises near infrared laser diodes which emit at least two different selected narrow wavelength bands of near infrared radiation. 
   
   
       156 . The system of  claim 146  wherein the array or stack of near infrared laser diodes comprises two different near infrared laser diodes, each emitting a different wavelength between 700 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       157 . The system of  claim 146  wherein the array or stack of individual near infrared laser diodes comprises a first diode emitting a wavelength of 808 nm and a second diode emitting a wavelength of 940 nm. 
   
   
       158 . The system of  claim 146  wherein the system regulates at least one of energy profile and power density for each wavelength represented in the array or stack. 
   
   
       159 . The system of  claim 146  wherein the system regulates sub-sections of the array or stack for at least one of position within the array or stack and intensity of output. 
   
   
       160 . The system of  claim 155  wherein the array or stack comprises at least one near infrared laser diode operative to produce wavelengths in a range below 1000 nm. 
   
   
       161 . The system of  claim 125  wherein the system regulates at least one aspect of laser diode irradiation output. 
   
   
       162 . The system of  claim 125  wherein the system regulates the irradiation output of arrays or stacks of laser diodes. 
   
   
       163 . The system of  claim 125  wherein the system regulates the irradiation output of separate arrays or stacks of laser diodes, said output comprising more than one wavelength. 
   
   
       164 . The system of  claim 125  wherein the system regulates the irradiation output of a matrix of laser diodes. 
   
   
       165 . The system of  claim 125  wherein the system regulates the irradiation output of multiple arrays or stacks of laser diodes. 
   
   
       166 . The system of  claim 125  wherein the system regulates at least one of transmitted power density and energy profile. 
   
   
       167 . The system of any one of  claims 67 ,  68  or  71  wherein the plastic components comprise PET preforms. 
   
   
       168 . A heat injection method applied to a target, the method comprising:
 locating the target for exposure to at least one radiation emitting device;   selectively supplying electrical current to the at least one radiation emitting device; and   selectively injecting heat in at least one selected narrow wavelength band into the target by the radiation emitting device based on the selected supplied electrical current, the selected narrow wavelength band being selected for efficient heating of the target, based on desired absorptive characteristics of the target.   
   
   
       169 . A heat injection method applied to a target, the method comprising:
 locating the target for exposure to at least one radiation emitting device;   selectively supplying electrical current to the at least one radiation emitting device; and   selectively injecting heat in at least one selected narrow wavelength band into the target by the radiation emitting device based on the selected supplied electrical current, the selected narrow wavelength band being selected to increase the energy absorbed by the target.   
   
   
       170 . A heat injection method applied to a target, the method comprising:
 locating the target for exposure to at least one radiation emitting device;   selectively supplying electrical current to the at least one radiation emitting device; and   selectively injecting heat in at least one selected narrow wavelength band into the target by the radiation emitting device based on the selected supplied electrical current, the selected narrow wavelength band being selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the target for a given power density applied to the target.   
   
   
       171 . A heat injection method applied to a target, the method comprising:
 locating the target for exposure to at least one radiation emitting device;   selectively supplying electrical current to the at least one radiation emitting device; and   selectively injecting heat in at least one selected narrow wavelength band into the target by the radiation emitting device based on the selected supplied electrical current, the selected narrow wavelength band being selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the target.   
   
   
       172 . A heat injection method applied to a target having at least one predetermined thickness, the method comprising:
 locating the target for exposure to at least one radiation emitting device;   selectively supplying electrical current to the at least one radiation emitting device; and   selectively injecting heat in at least one selected narrow wavelength band into the target by the radiation emitting device based on the selected supplied electrical current, the selected narrow wavelength band selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the target.   
   
   
       173 . A heat injection method applied to a target, the method comprising:
 locating the target for exposure to at least one radiation emitting device;   selectively supplying electrical current to the at least one radiation emitting device; and,   selectively injecting heat in at least one selected narrow wavelength band into the target by the radiation emitting device based on the selected supplied electrical current, the selected narrow wavelength band selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the target to a desired temperature.   
   
   
       174 . The method as claimed in  claim 170 , wherein said radiation emitting device is an infrared-emitting device. 
   
   
       175 . The method as claimed in  claim 170 , wherein said radiation emitting device is an infrared-emitting laser. 
   
   
       176 . The method as claimed in  claim 170 , wherein said radiation emitting device is a near infrared-emitting device. 
   
   
       177 . The method as claimed in  claim 170 , wherein said radiation emitting device is a near infrared-emitting laser. 
   
   
       178 . The method as claimed in  claim 170 , wherein said radiation emitting device is a near infrared-emitting laser diode. 
   
   
       179 . The method as set forth in  claim 170 , further comprising controlling the selective supplying of electrical current based on a desired temperature of the target. 
   
   
       180 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  69  or  71  wherein the radiant energy is partially absorbed by the plastic components. 
   
   
       181 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  69  or  71 , wherein the wavelength band corresponds to a strong absorption band for the plastic components. 
   
   
       182 . The system as set forth in  claim 181  wherein the strong absorption band is at approximately 1600 nm. 
   
   
       183 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  69  or  72  wherein the narrow wavelength band is between 700 nm and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       184 . A system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic components prior to molding operations comprising:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the plastic components are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected for efficient heating of the plastic components based on an absorptive characteristic of the plastic components.   
   
   
       185 . An installation for non-contact thermal treatment of parisons prior to molding operations comprising:
 a feed unit that supplies the parisons to a heating unit in which the parisons are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit said radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected for efficiently heating the parisons based on an absorptive characteristic of the parisons.   
   
   
       186 . An installation for non-contact thermal treatment of parisons prior to molding operations comprising:
 a feed unit that supplies the parisons to a heating unit in which the parisons are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit said radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to increase the energy absorbed by the parisons.   
   
   
       187 . An installation for non-contact thermal treatment of parisons prior to molding operations which comprises:
 a feed unit that supplies the parisons to a heating unit in which the parisons are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the parisons for a given power density.   
   
   
       188 . An installation for non-contact thermal treatment of parisons prior to molding operations which comprises:
 a feed unit that supplies the parisons to a heating unit in which the parisons are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the parisons.   
   
   
       189 . An installation for non-contact thermal treatment of parisons having at least one predetermined thickness prior to molding operations which comprises:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the plastic components are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the plastic components.   
   
   
       190 . An installation for non-contact thermal treatment of parisons prior to molding operations which comprises:
 a heating unit for heating the parisons, a feed unit that supplies the parisons to the heating unit into which the parisons are transported for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the parisons to a desired temperature.   
   
   
       191 . An installation for non-contact thermal treatment of parisons used in molding operations which comprises:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the parisons are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected for efficient heating of the plastic component based on an absorptive characteristic of the parisons.   
   
   
       192 . The system as claimed in  claim 184  wherein said semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements are infrared-emitting devices. 
   
   
       193 . The system as claimed in  claim 184 , wherein said semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements are near infrared-emitting devices. 
   
   
       194 . The system as claimed in  claim 184 , wherein said semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements are near infrared-emitting lasers. 
   
   
       195 . The system as claimed in  claim 184 , wherein semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements are near infrared-emitting laser diodes. 
   
   
       196 . The installation as claimed in any one of  claims 185  to  191 , wherein said semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements are infrared-emitting devices. 
   
   
       197 . The installation as claimed in any one of  claims 185  to  191 , wherein said semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements are near infrared-emitting devices. 
   
   
       198 . The installation as claimed in any one of  claims 185  to  191 , wherein said semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements are near infrared-emitting lasers. 
   
   
       199 . The installation as claimed in any one of  claims 185  to  191 , wherein semiconductor-based narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements are near infrared-emitting laser diodes. 
   
   
       200 . The system of  claim 184  wherein the plastic components comprise PET preforms. 
   
   
       201 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to increase the energy absorbed by the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       202 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected for efficient heating of the preforms based on an absorptive characteristic of the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       203 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the preforms for a given power density; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       204 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       205 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms having at least one predetermined thickness prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the preforms; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       206 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the preforms to a desired temperature; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       207 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms used in stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the preforms for a given power density; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       208 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the preforms for a given power density; and   removing heat from air and mechanical components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       209 . The method as claimed in any one of  claims 201  to  208 , wherein said narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements are infrared-emitting devices. 
   
   
       210 . The method as claimed in any one of  claims 201  to  208 , wherein said narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements are near infrared-emitting devices. 
   
   
       211 . The method as claimed in any one of  claims 201  to  208 , wherein said narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements are near infrared-emitting lasers. 
   
   
       212 . The method as claimed in any one of  claims 201  to  208 , wherein said narrow wavelength band radiant heating elements are near infrared-emitting laser diodes. 
   
   
       213 . The method of  claim 201  wherein the thermoplastic performs are PET preforms. 
   
   
       214 . A system for selectively injecting radiant heat into a target, the system comprising:
 at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element, the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected for efficient heating of the target based on an absorptive characteristic of the target;   the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the target; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element.   
   
   
       215 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison, the installation comprising:
 at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element, the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to increase the energy absorbed by the parison;   the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element.   
   
   
       216 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison, the installation comprising:
 at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element,   the at least narrow wavelength band emitting element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected for efficiently heating the parison based on an absorptive characteristic of the parison;   the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element being positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element.   
   
   
       217 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison, the installation comprising:
 at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the parison for a given power density;   the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element being positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element.   
   
   
       218 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison, the installation comprising:
 at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element, the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve a desired heating quality based on an absorptive characteristic of the parison;   the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element being positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element.   
   
   
       219 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison having at least one predetermined thickness, the installation comprising:
 at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element, the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to achieve good diffusion of the radiant energy through the at least one predetermined thickness of the parison;   the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element being positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element.   
   
   
       220 . An installation for selectively injecting radiant heat into a parison, the installation comprising:
 at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element, the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element being operative to emit radiation in a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output selected to reduce exposure time required to heat the parison to a desired temperature;   the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element being positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed at the parison; and   a source of electrical current to the at least one narrow wavelength band emitting element.   
   
   
       221 . The system as claimed in  claim 214 , wherein said narrow wavelength band emitting element is an infrared-emitting device. 
   
   
       222 . The system as claimed in  claim 214 , wherein said narrow wavelength band emitting element is a near infrared-emitting device. 
   
   
       223 . The system as claimed in  claim 214 , wherein said narrow wavelength band emitting element is a near infrared-emitting laser. 
   
   
       224 . The system as claimed in  claim 214 , wherein said narrow wavelength band emitting element is a near infrared-emitting laser diode. 
   
   
       225 . The installation as claimed in any one of  claims 215  to  220 , wherein said narrow wavelength band emitting element is an infrared-emitting device. 
   
   
       226 . The installation as claimed in any one of  claims 215  to  220 , wherein said narrow wavelength band emitting element is a near infrared-emitting device. 
   
   
       227 . The installation as claimed in any one of  claims 215  to  220 , wherein said narrow wavelength band emitting element is a near infrared-emitting laser. 
   
   
       228 . The installation as claimed in any one of  claims 215  to  220 , wherein said narrow wavelength band emitting element is a near infrared-emitting laser diode. 
   
   
       229 . A system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic components prior to molding operations comprising:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the plastic components are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more laser diodes operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to increase the energy absorbed by the plastic components based on an absorptive characteristic of the plastic components.   
   
   
       230 . The system as set forth in  claim 229  wherein the feed unit is a transfer line operative to transport the plastic components. 
   
   
       231 . The system as claimed in  claim 229  wherein the plastic components comprise thermoplastic preforms. 
   
   
       232 . The system as claimed in  claim 229  wherein the thermoplastic preforms comprise at least one of PET or PEN. 
   
   
       233 . The system as claimed in  claim 229  further comprising a ventilation cooling device. 
   
   
       234 . The system as claimed in  claim 229  further comprising a water cooling device. 
   
   
       235 . The system claimed in  claim 229  wherein the power applied to the laser diodes is regulated based on a desired temperature of the plastic components. 
   
   
       236 . The system claimed in  claim 235  further comprising achieving at least one desired temperature of subsections of the plastic component by regulating the power of the laser diodes to apply laser diode emissions to the subsections. 
   
   
       237 . The system as set forth in  claim 229  wherein the at least one laser diode takes the form of an array of individual laser diode devices. 
   
   
       238 . The system as set forth in  claim 229  wherein the at least one laser diode takes the form of a customized arrangement of individual laser diode devices. 
   
   
       239 . The system of  claim 237  wherein the arrays are in the form of arrays of laser diodes jointly mounted directly on a support. 
   
   
       240 . The system of  claim 229  wherein a wavelength of the radiant energy is selected to apply radiant heat based on the absorption characteristics of the plastic components. 
   
   
       241 . The system of  claim 229  wherein the laser diodes are operative to selectively supply radiant heat at least two different wavelengths, selected to increase the energy absorbed by the plastic components and to achieve a combination of heating characteristics. 
   
   
       242 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using near infrared laser diodes operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to increase the energy absorbed by the preforms.   
   
   
       243 . The method of  claim 242  further comprising
 removing heat from air and mechanical components of the thermal monitoring and control section of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       244 . The method as set forth in  claim 242  further comprising achieving at least one desired temperature of subsections of the performs by regulating the power of the laser diodes to apply near-infrared radiant heating to the subsections. 
   
   
       245 . A system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic components prior to molding operations comprising:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the plastic components are located for heating, the heating unit comprising a laser-based radiant heat source operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band selected to increase the energy absorbed by the plastic components based on an absorptive characteristic of the plastic components.   
   
   
       246 . A system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic components prior to molding operations comprising:
 a feed unit to supply plastic components to a heating unit in which the plastic components are located for heating, the heating unit comprising one or more solid state laser diodes operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band from 700 to 1600 nm wherein the solid state laser diodes are disposed in an array so that a substantial portion of the radiant energy emitted from the array is incident into portions of the target components.   
   
   
       247 . The system as claimed in  claim 246 , wherein the path of the target components in the heating unit is substantially linear, the radiant energy emitted from the array is directed parallel to said path, and a substantial portion of the radiant energy emitted from the array is incident into portions of the target components. 
   
   
       248 . The system as claimed in  claim 246 , wherein the solid state laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band from 940 nm to 1600 nm. 
   
   
       249 . The system as claimed in  claim 246 , wherein the solid state laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band from 1064 nm to 1600 nm. 
   
   
       250 . The system as claimed in  claim 246  further comprising a non-planar mirror specially shaped to facilitate improved thermal infrared radiant energy delivery from multiple laser diodes into the target component. 
   
   
       251 . The system as claimed in  claim 246  wherein the array of laser diodes is comprised of at least some devices which have diverging irradiation beams such that at least some of the irradiation output patterns from the at least some of the devices are superposed on the surface of the target. 
   
   
       252 . The system as claimed in  claim 246  wherein the radiation beams pass through slits and the beams diverge such that at least some of the irradiation beams from at least some of the laser diodes are superposed on the surface of the target. 
   
   
       253 . The system as claimed in  claim 246  wherein the means operative to locate is a conveyor operative to transport the plastic target components into and out of two heating units. 
   
   
       254 . The system as claimed in  claim 246  wherein the means operative to locate is a conveyor operative to transport the plastic target components into and out of a plurality of adjacent heating chambers in the heating unit. 
   
   
       255 . The system as claimed in  claim 253  wherein the conveyor is operative to transport the plastic target components into and out of two heating units each containing an array of near-infrared emitting laser diodes. 
   
   
       256 . The system as claimed in  claim 255  wherein the plastic target components pass in succession through the plurality of heating chambers and the diodes can be set in such a way that their power increases along the path followed by the plastic target components, the temperature of the plastic target components increasing as they progress through the heating unit. 
   
   
       257 . The system as claimed in  claim 246  further comprising at least one of a ventilation cooling device or a water cooling device configured to remove heat from air and mechanical components within the heating unit. 
   
   
       258 . The system as claimed in  claim 257  wherein the laser diode array is directly mounted on a support;
 the support has a cooling device associated therewith for conducting heat away from the diode array; and   the support includes an internal water-cooling circuit operative to remove heat from the system to keep the temperature of the diode devices in a desired range.   
   
   
       259 . The system as claimed in  claim 246  wherein the power of the laser diodes is adjusted to apply radiant heating to the target components based on a desired target component temperature. 
   
   
       260 . The system as claimed in  claim 246  wherein a pre-specified temperature for heating the target component is determined, and the pre-specified temperature is used in determining the power of the laser diodes to achieve heating of the target component to the pre-specified temperature. 
   
   
       261 . The system as claimed in  claim 246  wherein a pre-specified temperature for heating subsections of the target component is determined, and the pre-specified temperature is used to determine the power of at least some of the laser diodes to heat it to the pre-specified temperature. 
   
   
       262 . The system as claimed in  claim 246  wherein at least one pre-specified temperature for heating at least one subsection of the target component is determined, and the at least one pre-specified temperature is used to determine the power of at least some of the laser diodes to heat at least one of the subsections to the at least one pre-specified temperature. 
   
   
       263 . The system as claimed in  claim 246  wherein the array of laser diodes is operative to emit radiant energy within a range of 700 to 1600 nanometer wavelength. 
   
   
       264 . The system as claimed in  claim 246  wherein the array of laser diodes is operative to emit radiant energy within at least one narrow wavelength range selected for efficient heating of the plastic target components based on the absorptive characteristic of the plastic components. 
   
   
       265 . The system as claimed in  claim 264  wherein at least two wavelengths are chosen for the irradiation of the target because of the absorption rates characteristic to each wavelength in at least some of the target component's material composition. 
   
   
       266 . The system as claimed in  claim 264  wherein the wavelength chosen for the irradiation of the target is chosen in accord with the target composition material's absorption bands and is chosen to optimize at least one of desired exposure time, efficiency of heating, or diffusion of radiation through the thickness of the material. 
   
   
       267 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   raising the temperature of the preforms toward a desired processing temperature by irradiating the preforms using laser diodes operative to emit at least one selected wavelength of thermal infrared radiant energy that is incident upon selected portions of the preforms; and   removing heat from components of the heating unit of the blow molding machine using a cooling system.   
   
   
       268 . The method as claimed in  claim 267  wherein the wavelength chosen for the irradiation of the preforms is chosen based on the absorption characteristics of the thermoplastic material to optimize at least one of desired exposure time, efficiency of heating, or diffusion of radiation through the thickness of the material. 
   
   
       269 . The method as set forth in  claim 267  further comprising achieving at least one desired temperature of subsections of the preforms by regulating the power of the laser diodes to apply the laser diode heating to the subsections. 
   
   
       270 . The method as claimed in  claim 246  wherein the laser diodes are near infrared laser diodes which are configured in multiple heating unit arrays. 
   
   
       271 . A system for selectively injecting radiant heat into a target, the system comprising:
 at least one solid state radiation emitting laser diode, the at least one laser diode being operative to emit infrared radiation of a selected wavelength for application to the target;   a conveyor for positioning targets so that they may be heated by the irradiation of the at least one laser diode;   the at least one laser diode being positioned such that irradiation therefrom is directed into selected portions of at least one target; and   a circuit for supplying electrical current to the at least one laser diode to generate the infrared radiation.   
   
   
       272 . The system as claimed in  claim 271  wherein the at least one laser diode takes the form of an array of individual laser diode devices and the array has a form selected to facilitate the general aiming of the radiant energy at the target. 
   
   
       273 . The system of  claim 271  wherein the at least one laser diode takes the form of a customized arrangement of individual devices, such arrangement to facilitate generally directing the necessary quanta of radiant energy toward the target. 
   
   
       274 . The system of  claim 271  wherein the array comprises individual laser diode devices jointly mounted directly on a support to facilitate directing irradiation toward the target. 
   
   
       275 . The system of  claim 271  wherein the support on which the laser diode devices are mounted is operative to conduct heat away from the laser diode devices. 
   
   
       276 . The system of  claim 275  wherein the support on which the laser diode devices are mounted is comprises a cooling device operative to conduct heat away from the laser diode devices and the support. 
   
   
       277 . The system of  claim 275  wherein the support operative for conducting heat away includes an internal water-cooling circuit operative to move the heat from the system. 
   
   
       278 . The system of  claim 271  wherein the array of individual laser diode devices comprises at least one laser diode device which produces radiant energy at least one additional selected wavelength of infrared radiation in a range from 700 to 1600 nm. 
   
   
       279 . The system of  claim 271  wherein the array comprises at least one hybrid near infrared laser diode which produces at least two different selected narrow wavelength bands of near infrared radiation. 
   
   
       280 . The system of  claim 271  further comprising a control system configured to separately control at least one of energy profile and power density for each wavelength represented in the array. 
   
   
       281 . The system of  claim 271  further comprising a control system configured to provide separate control of sub-sections of the array for at least one of position within the array and power of output. 
   
   
       282 . The system of  claim 279  wherein the array comprises at least one near infrared laser diode device operative to produce a wavelength before 1000 nm. 
   
   
       283 . The system of  claim 279  wherein the array comprises at least one near infrared laser diode device operative to produce a wavelength of 1064 nm. 
   
   
       284 . The system of  claim 279  wherein the array comprises at least one near infrared laser diode device operative to produce a wavelengths of 808 nm. 
   
   
       285 . The system of  claim 279  wherein the array comprises at least one near infrared laser diode device operative to produce a wavelength of 940 nm. 
   
   
       286 . The system of  claim 271  wherein the source of electrical current is at least one circuit connected to the at least one laser diode operative to control at least one aspect of system irradiation output. 
   
   
       287 . The system as claimed in  claim 271  further comprising at least one mirror operative to facilitate improved directivity of the radiant energy from at least one array of laser diodes into the target. 
   
   
       288 . The system as set forth in  claim 271  further comprising at least one approximately cylindrical mirror array operative to facilitate improved directivity of the radiant energy from at least one array of laser diodes into the target. 
   
   
       289 . The system of  claim 246  wherein the plastic target components comprise PET preforms. 
   
   
       290 . A heat injection method applied to a target, the method comprising:
 locating the target for exposure to at least one thermal radiation emitting laser diode;   disposing the at least one laser diode to direct its irradiation into the target;   selectively supplying electrical current to the at least one radiation emitting laser diode; and,   choosing the at least one laser diode which emits at least one specific wavelength of irradiation which corresponds to the target's absorption characteristics;   further selecting the at least one laser diode such that the radiant energy emission is in the range from 700 to 1600 nanometers; and   selectively injecting heat in at least one specific wavelength into the target with irradiation from the thermal emitting laser diode.   
   
   
       291 . The method of  claim 290 , wherein the at least one laser diode is selected such that the radiant energy emission is in the range from 700 to before 1000 nanometers; and
 the wavelength of irradiation is selected for efficient heating of the target, based on the target's absorption characteristics.   
   
   
       292 . The method of  claim 290 , wherein the at least one laser diode is selected such that the radiant energy emission is at a wavelength of 1040 nm; and
 the wavelength of irradiation is selected for efficient heating of the target, based on the target's absorption characteristics.   
   
   
       293 . The method of  claim 290 , wherein the at least one laser diode is selected such that the radiant energy emission is at a wavelength of 808 nanometers; and
 the wavelength of irradiation is selected for efficient heating of the target, based on the target's absorption characteristics.   
   
   
       294 . The method of  claim 290 , wherein the at least one laser diode is selected such that the radiant energy emission is at a wavelength of 940 nanometers; and
 the wavelength of irradiation is selected for efficient heating of the target, based on the target's absorption characteristics.   
   
   
       295 . The method of  claim 290 , wherein the at least one laser diode is selected such that the radiant energy emission is at wavelengths of 808 and 940 nanometers; and
 the wavelength of irradiation is selected for efficient heating of the target, based on the target's absorption characteristics.   
   
   
       296 . The method of  claim 290  wherein the step of locating the target for exposure is performed using a conveyor operative to transport the target into and out of two heating units. 
   
   
       297 . The method of  claim 290  wherein the at least one specific wavelength comprises two or more different wavelengths such that the combination of wavelengths irradiates the target and the target by combining the characteristics of the absorption at each wavelength. 
   
   
       298 . The method of  claim 290  wherein the at least one specific wavelength comprises two or more different wavelengths such that the combination of wavelengths irradiates the target and the target absorbs radiation at each different wavelength. 
   
   
       299 . The method of  claim 290  further comprising controlling the selective supplying of electrical current based on at least one desired temperature of a portion of the target. 
   
   
       300 . The method of  claim 299  further comprising determining at least one desired temperature of the target;
 controlling the selective supplying of electrical current based on the at least one desired temperature of the target; and   irradiating the target as needed to reach the at least one desired temperature by controlling the selective supplying of electrical current to the at least one laser diode.   
   
   
       301 . The system as claimed in  claim 271  wherein the conveyor is operative to transport the target into and out of two heating units, including a path of travel in and a path of travel out of each of the two heating units. 
   
   
       302 . The system as claimed in  claim 271  wherein the conveyor is operative to transport the target into and out of a plurality of adjacent heating chambers in the heating unit, including a path of travel in and a path of travel out of each of the plurality of heating chambers. 
   
   
       303 . The system as claimed in  claim 70  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       304 . The installation as claimed  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       305 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and before 1000 nm. 
   
   
       306 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and before 1000 nm. 
   
   
       307 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       308 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       309 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and 940 nm. 
   
   
       310 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and 940 nm. 
   
   
       311 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and 808 nm. 
   
   
       312 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and 808 nm. 
   
   
       313 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 808 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       314 . The installation as claimed  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 808 and 1600 nm 
   
   
       315 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 808 and before 1000 nm. 
   
   
       316 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 808 and before 1000 nm. 
   
   
       317 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 808 and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       318 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 808 and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       319 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 808 and 940 nm. 
   
   
       320 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 808 and 940 nm. 
   
   
       321 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 940 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       322 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 940 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       323 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 940 and before 1000 nm. 
   
   
       324 . The installation as claimed in  claims 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 940 and before 1000 nm. 
   
   
       325 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 940 and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       326 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 940 and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       327 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between before 1000 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       328 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between before 1000 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       329 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between before 1000 and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       330 . The installation as claimed in  87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between before 1000 and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       331 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 1064 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       332 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 1064 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       333 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within at least one wavelength of 808 nm, 940 nm, and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       334 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within at least one wavelength of 808 nm, 940 nm, and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       335 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within at least two wavelengths of 808 nm, 940 nm, and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       336 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within at least two wavelengths of 808 nm, 940 nm, and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       337 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within at least two wavelengths of 808 nm, 940 nm, and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       338 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within at least two wavelengths of 808 nm, 940 nm, and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       339 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy at two wavelengths of 808 nm and 940 nm. 
   
   
       340 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy at two wavelengths of 808 nm and 940 nm. 
   
   
       341 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy at a wavelength of 808 nm. 
   
   
       342 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy at a wavelength of 808 nm. 
   
   
       343 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy at a wavelength of 940 nm. 
   
   
       344 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy at a wavelength of 940 nm. 
   
   
       345 . The system as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy at a wavelength of 1064 nm. 
   
   
       346 . The installation as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the near infrared laser diodes heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy at a wavelength of 1064 nm. 
   
   
       347 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       348 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and before 1000 nm. 
   
   
       349 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       350 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and 940 nm. 
   
   
       351 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 700 and 808 nm. 
   
   
       352 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 808 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       353 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 808 and before 1000 nm. 
   
   
       354 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 808 and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       355 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 808 and 940 nm. 
   
   
       356 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 940 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       357 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 940 and before 1000 nm. 
   
   
       358 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 940 and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       359 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between before 1000 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       360 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between before 1000 and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       361 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within a wavelength range between 1064 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       362 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within at least one wavelength of 808 nm, 940 nm, and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       363 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy within at least two wavelengths of 808 nm, 940 nm, and 1064 nm. 
   
   
       364 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy at two wavelengths of 808 nm and 940 nm. 
   
   
       365 . The method as claimed  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy at a wavelength of 808 nm. 
   
   
       366 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy at a wavelength of 940 nm. 
   
   
       367 . The method as claimed in  claim 103  wherein the near infrared laser diodes are operative to emit radiant energy at a wavelength of 1064 nm. 
   
   
       368 . The system as claimed in  claim 146  wherein the array comprises at least one array of juxtaposed laser diodes. 
   
   
       369 . The system as claimed in  claim 146  wherein the array comprises a block of stacked diodes. 
   
   
       370 . The system as claimed in  claim 146  wherein the stack comprises a vertical block of stacked diodes. 
   
   
       371 . The system as claimed in  claim 146  wherein the heating unit comprises several superposed arrays of diodes. 
   
   
       372 . The system as claimed in  claim 158  wherein the system regulates the power of diodes to attain a desired non-uniform temperature profile. 
   
   
       373 . The system as claimed in  claim 158  wherein the system regulates the power of arrays of diodes to attain a desired non-uniform temperature profile. 
   
   
       374 . The system as claimed in  claim 158  wherein the system regulates the power of separate arrays of diodes to attain a desired non-uniform temperature profile. 
   
   
       375 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 85  or  90  wherein the feed unit is a transfer line operative to transport the parisons. 
   
   
       376 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 85  or  90  wherein an electrical supply current is continuous to the one or more heating sources or elements, respectively, whereby a continuous radiant energy output results. 
   
   
       377 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 85  or  90  further comprising at least one of a ventilation cooling device or a water cooling device configured to remove heat from within the heating unit. 
   
   
       378 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 85  or  90  further comprising a ventilation cooling device to remove heat from within the heating unit. 
   
   
       379 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 85  or  90  further comprising a water cooling device to remove heat from within the heating unit. 
   
   
       380 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 85  or  90  further comprising both a ventilation cooling device and a water cooling device to remove heat from within the heating unit. 
   
   
       381 . The installation claimed in any one of  claims 85  or  90  wherein power applied to the one or more heating sources or elements, respectively, is regulated based on a desired temperature of the parisons. 
   
   
       382 . The installation claimed in  claim 381  further comprising achieving at least one desired temperature of subsections of the parisons by regulating the power of the one or more heating sources or elements, respectively, to apply laser emissions to the subsections. 
   
   
       383 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 85  or  90  wherein the one or more heating sources or elements, respectively, are operative to emit radiant energy within a range of between 700 to 1600 nm wavelength. 
   
   
       384 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 85  or  90  wherein the one or more heating sources or elements, respectively, are operative to emit radiant energy at a wavelength within at least one narrow wavelength range specifically selected to provide a desired heating quality to a particular parison. 
   
   
       385 . A method of thermally treating thermoplastic preforms prior to stretch blow molding operations, the method comprising the steps of:
 transporting a series of preforms through a heating unit of a blow molding machine;   irradiating the preforms using a stack of laser diodes emitting at a wavelength ranging between 700 nm and 1600 nm selected to achieve a desired amount of energy absorbed by the parison for a given power density; and   removing heat from the heating unit using at least one of a ventilation system and a water-cooling circuit for the stack.   
   
   
       386 . The method as set forth in  claim 385  further comprising regulating power of the stack of laser diodes so as to obtain a desired temperature profile which is non-uniform over a length of the preforms. 
   
   
       387 . The method as set forth in  claim 385  further comprising varying the rate travel of the preforms and power of the diodes according to the preforms' material. 
   
   
       388 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  68  or  71  wherein the near infrared laser diode heating elements take the form of a matrix of the laser diodes. 
   
   
       389 . The system as set forth in  claim 388  wherein the matrix is in the form of superposed arrays of the laser diodes. 
   
   
       390 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 85  or  90  wherein the heating sources or elements, respectively, take the form of a matrix of the laser diodes. 
   
   
       391 . The system as set forth in  claim 390  wherein the matrix is in the form of superposed arrays of the laser diodes. 
   
   
       392 . The installation of any one of  claims 85  or  90  wherein the heating sources or elements, respectively, comprise an array or stack of individual near-infrared laser diodes. 
   
   
       393 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 392  wherein the array or stack comprises individual near infrared laser diodes jointly mounted directly on a support. 
   
   
       394 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 392  wherein the support on which the near infrared laser diodes are mounted is operative to conduct heat away from the near infrared laser diodes. 
   
   
       395 . The installation as set forth in  claim 394  wherein the support on which the near infrared laser diodes are mounted has a cooling device associated therewith for conducting heat away from the near infrared laser diodes and the support. 
   
   
       396 . The installation as set forth in  claim 394  wherein the support operative for conducting heat away includes an internal water-cooling circuit operative to move the heat from the system. 
   
   
       397 . The system of  claim 392  wherein the array or stack comprises two different near infrared laser diodes, each emitting a different wavelength between 700 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       398 . The system of  claim 392  wherein the array or stack comprises a first diode emitting a wavelength of 808 nm and a second diode emitting a wavelength of 940 nm. 
   
   
       399 . The system of  claim 392  wherein the array or stack comprises near infrared laser diodes which emit at least two different selected narrow wavelength bands of near infrared radiation. 
   
   
       400 . The system of  claim 392  wherein the array or stack comprises two different near infrared laser diodes, each emitting a different wavelength between 700 and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       401 . The system of  claim 392  wherein the array or stack comprises a first diode emitting a wavelength of 808 nm and a second diode emitting a wavelength of 940 nm. 
   
   
       402 . The system of  claim 388  wherein the system regulates at least one of energy profile and power density for each wavelength represented in the matrix. 
   
   
       403 . The system of  claim 388  wherein the system regulates sub-sections of the matrix for at least one of position within the matrix and intensity of output. 
   
   
       404 . The installation of  claim 147  wherein the system regulates at least one of energy profile and power density for each wavelength represented in the array or stack. 
   
   
       405 . The installation of  claim 147  wherein the system regulates sub-sections of the array or stack for at least one of position within the array or stack and intensity of output. 
   
   
       406 . The installation of  claim 147  wherein the array or stack comprises at least one near infrared laser diode operative to produce wavelengths in a range below 1000 nm. 
   
   
       407 . The installation of  claim 147  wherein the system regulates at least one aspect of laser diode irradiation output. 
   
   
       408 . The installation of  claim 147  wherein the system regulates the irradiation output of arrays or stacks of laser diodes. 
   
   
       409 . The installation of  claim 147  wherein the system regulates the irradiation output of separate arrays or stacks of laser diodes, said output comprising more than one wavelength. 
   
   
       410 . The installation of  claim 147  wherein the system regulates the irradiation output of a matrix of laser diodes. 
   
   
       411 . The installation of  claim 147  wherein the system regulates the irradiation output of multiple arrays or stacks of laser diodes. 
   
   
       412 . The installation of  claim 147  wherein the system regulates at least one of transmitted power density and energy profile. 
   
   
       413 . The system of any one of  claims 85  or  90  wherein the parisons comprise PET. 
   
   
       414 . A method for heating a thermoplastic preform comprising:
 locating the perform for exposure to coherent electromagnetic radiation from at least one laser diode;   regulating power of the at least one laser diode; and   selectively heating subsections of the preform by said radiation based on the regulated power, the at least one laser diode being selected for efficient heating of the preform based on a desired absorptive characteristic of the preform.   
   
   
       415 . The method according to  claim 414  comprising varying the rate of travel and the power of the at least one laser diode according to the material to be used for the preform. 
   
   
       416 . The method according to  claim 414  comprising regulating the power of the at least one laser diode so as to obtain a desired temperature profile which is non-uniform over the length of the preform. 
   
   
       417 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 75 ,  77  or  85  wherein the radiant energy is partially absorbed by the plastic components. 
   
   
       418 . The system as set forth in any one of  claims 67 ,  69  or  71  wherein the radiant energy is fully absorbed by the plastic components. 
   
   
       419 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 75 ,  77  or  85  wherein the radiant energy is fully absorbed by the plastic components. 
   
   
       420 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 75 ,  77  or  85  wherein the wavelength band corresponds to a strong absorption band for the plastic components. 
   
   
       421 . The installation as set forth in any one of  claims 80 ,  86  or  88  wherein the narrow wavelength band is between 700 nm and 1600 nm. 
   
   
       422 . The method as claimed in  claim 212  wherein said laser diodes are in the form of an array or stack and the cooling system comprises at least one of a ventilation system and a water-cooling circuit for the array or stack.