Method and apparatus for in-mold finishing of blow molded parts

A method for creating a blow molded article includes providing a first mold portion and a second mold portion, each having an inner molding surface against which a wall of the blow molded article is blown, positioning a first cutting device moveably disposed in the first mold portion and a second cutting device moveably disposed in the second mold portion into an activated position, whereby the first and second cutting devices extend beyond the molding surface by a predetermined amount, disposing a parison of molten material between the first and second mold portions, positioning the first and second mold portions adjacent each other along a seam to enclose a mold cavity, introducing pressurized fluid into parison to expand it against the molding surface, thereby forming a final shape of the article, and displacing the first and second cutting devices to create a cut in the blow molded article.