COOLING SLEEVE WITH SUPPORT ELEMENT

A cooling sleeve for receiving a preform comprising a receiving cavity having a receiving opening so that a preform can be inserted into the receiving cavity, and a fluid passage arranged so that when the receiving opening is closed a fluid can be introduced into or removed from the receiving cavity by way of the fluid passage, wherein the cooling sleeve extends along a longitudinal axis and the fluid passage has a passage opening which is arranged near the longitudinal axis and which is arranged opposite the receiving opening. The cooling sleeve allows accelerated cooling of the sprue region of the preform without corresponding noses or markings being formed at the outside of the preform. Arranged in the fluid passage in the region of the passage opening is a support element having a support surface for contacting the preform when the preform is inserted into the cooling sleeve.