Abstract: A modular system for blow molding a container. The system may include a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion and second portion may each include a shell, a mold removably coupled to the shell, and a top plate. The third portion may include a base and a base mold. The molds may be 3D printed. The molds together may define a blow mold cavity. The modular system may be used at lab scale, pilot scale, or full production scale. The molds may be durable and smooth enough for full production scale. Some embodiments are directed to methods for making a modular system for blow molding a container.

Abstract: A blow molding machine for a resin container is provided with at least a blow molding section, a heating section, and a conveyance path for conveying a preform heated by the heating section to the blow molding section. The conveyance path is provided with a first conveyance member that is continuously and intermittently driven. The blow molding section is provided with a plurality of blow movable members. A plurality of conveyance driving sections for driving the first conveyance member are driven in synchronization with each other, and the blow movable members are driven in synchronization with each other.

Abstract: A printhead assembly having connection for connecting to a positioning system of an AM system, a feedstock liquefying unit having a nozzle for depositing liquefied AM feedstock onto at least one of a build plate and an object to be created. The feedstock liquefying unit has a supply opening and a supply channel from the supply opening to the nozzle. The printhead assembly has heat exchanging elements attached to the printhead assembly, arranged to establish a releasable clamping connection with the feedstock liquefying unit to accommodate the feedstock liquefying unit in the printhead assembly. The heat exchanging elements are actuatable to an open state, and a closed state. A system for additive manufacturing, including a build plate, a positioning system associated with at least one of the printhead assembly and the build plate, a feedstock liquefying unit storage, a controller arranged for controlling the positioning system for replacing the feedstock liquefying unit.

Abstract: A molding unit (10) for forming a container made of thermoplastic material, includes: —a mold bottom (16) that is movable between a low position, an intermediate boxing position and a high position; —a carriage (24) that supports the mold bottom (16) and is mounted in a movable manner in a fixed holder (26); —actuation elements for moving the carriage (24) into its intermediate boxing position; —the actuation elements including a cylinder (32) that houses a piston (98) liable to push the mold bottom (16) through a boxing travel; characterized in that the mold bottom (16) is supported in a fixed manner by the carriage (24), the cylinder (32) being fixed with respect to the fixed holder (26). A method for employing the molding unit is also described.

Abstract: A 5D printer, which additively manufactures an object, includes an extruder that can move linearly along three orthogonal axes and rotationally around at least one of the axes with respect to the object while depositing a material. A gantry is movable along X, Y and Z axes, and a trunnion table movable about A and B axes is mounted on the gantry. A platen is mounted on the trunnion table, and the extruder deposits the material on the platen while moving the gantry and trunnion table. A model of the object is analyzed to produce a stress tensor for the object, and the depositing is according to the stress tensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping plastics material pre-forms into plastics material containers with a blow mold which has at least two blow mold parts which are arranged so as to be movable with respect to each other on first and second blow mold carrier parts. A pressure pad arrangement is arranged between at least one blow mold carrier part and the blow mold part. The pressure pad arrangement is designed in such a way that the force acting between the blow mold carrier part and the blow mold part has a first force component which acts in a first pre-set region in the peripheral direction of the blow mold part and a second force component which acts in a second pre-set region in the peripheral direction of the blow mold part.

Abstract: A blow mold unit including a blow mold including first and second blow cavity split molds and a plurality of raised bottom molds, first and second pressure receiving plates, a first fixing plate to which the first blow cavity split mold and the first pressure receiving plate are fixed, a second fixing plate to which the second blow cavity split mold and the second pressure receiving plate are fixed, a third fixing plate interposed between the first and second fixing plates and to which the plurality of raised bottom molds are fixed at a first surface thereof, a shaft portion extending vertically from a second surface of the third fixing plate, an elevation guide block fixed to one of the first and second fixing plates and elevation guiding the shaft portion, and an elevating rod extending vertically from the second surface. There is also a blow molding machine which includes the blow mold unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold hanger for supporting a bottle mold in a blow molding station, the mold hanger comprising a piston and piston sleeve fully contained within the mold hanger configured to push a moveable insert into the mold. Also disclosed is a method of retrofitting an original rotatable blow molding module having multiple existing blow molding stations, each existing mold hanger defining an existing outer envelope. The disclosed method may include providing an improved mold hanger substantially contained within the respective existing outer envelope and including low-profile drive mechanisms configured opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. Further disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip, the method including providing within a mold hanger a drive mechanism to drive a moveable insert into the mold. A bottle made by such methods is also disclosed.

Abstract: A blow mold unit includes a first and a second blow cavity split mold, and a plurality of raised-bottom molds. The blow mold unit also includes a first and a second securing plates on which the first and the second blow cavity split mold are secured, a plurality of first pressure-receiving plates respectively secured on the first and the second securing plates, a third securing plate disposed between the first and the second securing plates, the plurality of raised-bottom molds secured on the third securing plate, a plurality of shafts suspended from the third securing plate, and a plurality of second pressure-receiving plates secured on the first and the second securing plates at a position below the third securing plate.

Abstract: A blowing mould array includes a blowing mould unit forming a cavity, inside of which plastic preforms are expanded to plastic containers. The blow mould unit includes a blowing mould retainer having at least two mould retainer elements for accommodating parts of the blowing mould unit, and a locking mechanism to arrest at least one part of the blowing mould unit against at least one mould retainer element. The locking mechanism includes an engagement element that can be pivoted and/or shifted relative to a default axis, which in an arrested state abuts a segment of a part of the blowing mould unit. The locking mechanism has an actuating element to loosen the arrest between the mould retaining element and the blowing mould unit. Actuation of the actuating element is coupled with actuation of the engagement element.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, with at least one blowing station arranged on a moving carrier, wherein the blowing station has a blow mould carrier for holding a blow mould and the blow mould carrier has a first blow mould carrier part and a second blow mould carrier part, wherein the second blow mould carrier part can be moved away from the first blow mould carrier part in order to open the blow mould for removal of a plastic container and/or for insertion of a preform, and wherein the second blow mould carrier part can be moved towards the first blow mould carrier part in order to transfer the blow mould into a closed state for forming the preform, wherein that the second blow mould carrier part has a lower density and/or strength than the first blow mould carrier part.

Abstract: A system for aiding in the replacement of a mold in a molding unit of a machine for manufacturing containers, includes at least one transport device (16) for transporting a joined mold (18) forming a transportable unit subassembly, the transport device (16) including at least one robotic arm (96) for positioning, in space along a trihedron (X, Y, Z) and with respect to the molding unit (12), elements (76) for handling at least one joined mold (18) so as to carry out a replacement of the at least one mold (18) of the molding unit (12).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of manufacturing a container in a blowing mould, the blown container (22; 72; 82) having a neck and a bottom aligned along a longitudinal axis (A) and being enclosed within a blowing mould (12; 70; 80), the blowing mould comprising two side halves (12a, 12b; 70a, 70b; 80a; 80b) which are in contact with each other along a joint plane (P) when the blowing mould is in a closed position, the blown container having at least one transverse dimension in a longitudinal cross-section including the longitudinal axis, characterized in that the method comprises a step of moving apart the two side halves (12a, 12b; 70a, 70b; 80a; 80b) of the blowing mould along a substantially transverse direction, the two side halves being moved apart from the joint plane (P) over an overall distance that is less than the greatest transverse dimension of the blown container and that enables extraction of the blown container from the blowing mould (12; 70; 80).

Abstract: A device and method for moving a mold clamp assembly of a molding apparatus between and open and closed position when the molding apparatus is in a stationary position. The device includes a rotatable cam member. A first cam surface is provided on the rotatable cam member. The first cam surface cooperates with a cam follower of the mold clamp assembly to move the mold clamp assembly to the open position when the rotatable cam member is rotated. A second cam surface is also provided on the rotatable cam member. The second cam surface cooperates with the cam follower of the mold clamp assembly to move the mold clamp assembly from the open position to the closed position when the rotatable cam member is further rotated.

Abstract: A blow mold unit including a blow mold including first and second blow cavity split molds and a plurality of raised bottom molds, first and second pressure receiving plates, a first fixing plate to which the first blow cavity split mold and the first pressure receiving plate are fixed, a second fixing plate to which the second blow cavity split mold and the second pressure receiving plate are fixed, a third fixing plate interposed between the first and second fixing plates and to which the plurality of raised bottom molds are fixed at a first surface thereof, a shaft portion extending vertically from a second surface of the third fixing plate, an elevation guide block fixed to one of the first and second fixing plates and elevation guiding the shaft portion, and an elevating rod extending vertically from the second surface. There is also a blow molding machine which includes the blow mold unit.

Abstract: A device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers with a mobile carrier on which is arranged a plurality of blowing stations, each comprising blow mold carrier parts to hold blow mold parts, wherein at least one of these blow mold carrier parts is mobile in relation to the other blow mold carrier part, and wherein the blowing stations each comprise a carrier element to carry at least one blow mold carrier part. The device includes a clean room within which the plastic preforms can be expanded into plastic containers. The blow mold carrier parts together with the carrier element form a unit which can be demounted as a whole from the carrier.

Abstract: What is described is a blow-molding machine for plastic containers, comprising a plurality of platens for supporting blow mold halves, wherein at least two of the platens are in the form of movable multi-carriers for simultaneously supporting at least two blow mold halves which are assigned to different blow-molding cavities. Since the multi-carriers are driven in such a manner that at least one of the blow-molding cavities can be opened and at the same time at least one other of the blow-molding cavities can be closed by means of a continuous movement of the multi-carriers, acceleration and deceleration ramps can be reduced upon opening and closing and it is possible to gain process time for the blow molding.

Abstract: A device for transforming parisons into containers with a plurality of transforming stations which are disposed on a movable carrier, wherein the transforming stations each have blow molds, within which the parisons can be transformed into containers by a supply of a flowable medium, and blow mold supports for holding these blow molds, wherein the blow mold supports have at least two blow mold support parts which are movable relative to one another for opening and closing the blow molds, with a clean room which is demarcated with respect to the surroundings by means of at least one wall and which at least partially surrounds the individual transforming stations, so that the transforming stations are movable within this clean room, and with at least one supply unit in order to supply flowable sterilizing medium to at least one region of the transforming stations which are movable within the clean room.

Abstract: A method for removing blow molds from a forming device for transforming plastic preforms into plastic containers may include arranging a multi-piece blow mold on a blow mold carrier. The method may include separating the blow mold in at least partly assembled state from the blow mold carrier.

Abstract: A blow mould for containers wherein the mould base comprises a first member (5) and a second member (6) connectable to each other by means of a quick coupling system comprising at least one first connection pin, wherein said second member (6) includes a first slider (13), defining a first sliding direction on a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the mould and capable of taking an unlocking position and a locking position, said first slider (13) being provided with at least a hole in order to lock the first connection pin when the first slider (13) is in the locking position, and a second slider (16) defining a second sliding direction on said plane, intersecting said first direction; said second slider (16) being slidable along said second direction from a position of mechanical connection with the first slider (13) to a position of releasing from said first slider.

Abstract: Machines are provided for the blowing or stretch blow moulding of bottles or containers having a plurality of moulding units, each moulding unit having a first half-shell and a second half-shell, laterally hinged around a hinge pin having a hinge axis, and a bottom suitable for cooperating to cyclically form a closed cavity suitable for receiving a pre-heated pre-form and for allowing the expansion by stretch blow moulding of the preform inside the cavity so as to obtain a bottle, said moulding unit being arranged to cyclically assume a closed mould configuration and an open mould configuration by means of opening and closing elements of the half-shells towards and away from a closure plane X-X passing through said hinge axis, and movement elements of the bottom, wherein said half-shells and said bottom are actuated in a synchronized manner stating from a single motion inlet comprising a single cam coupling.

Abstract: A pivot casting component used in an apparatus for extrusion blow molding polyethylene teraphthalate (“PET”) is disclosed. The pivot casting is designed to provide increased strength and increased reliability over prior components with the blow mold clamping linkage system. Prior art pivot elements were designed and fabricated from separate elements such that weak points, and stress concentration points were created. Such weak points resulted in the pivot element being a weak component in the blow mold clamping linkage system. The inventive pivot casting is cast as a single component from higher strength materials, with an improved geometry to increase component strength, durability and overall system reliability. In a preferred embodiment, the air side pivot casting is formed from 80-55-06 ductile iron resulting in a 40% increase in tensile strength over prior pivot components.

Abstract: A blowing mold array includes a blowing mold unit forming a cavity, inside of which plastic preforms are expanded to plastic containers. The blow mold unit includes a blowing mold retainer having at least two mold retainer elements for accommodating parts of the blowing mold unit, and a locking mechanism to arrest at least one part of the blowing mold unit against at least one mold retainer element. The locking mechanism includes an engagement element that can be pivoted and/or shifted relative to a default axis, which in an arrested state abuts a segment of a part of the blowing mold unit. The locking mechanism has an actuating element to loosen the arrest between the mold retaining element and the blowing mold unit. Actuation of the actuating element is coupled with actuation of the engagement element.

Abstract: A blow head mounting arrangement for use to facilitate installation and removal of a blow head from a blow head mounting member. The blow head has a first engagement member for removable engagement with a second engagement member to removably attach the blow head to the blow head mounting member. Once engaged, the blow head is retained on the blow head mounting member by rotating the blow head into a locked position in which it is retained until it is rotated in the opposite direction by a locking mechanism.

Abstract: A device for transforming plastics preforms into containers includes at least one blow mold for receiving the plastics preforms. The blow mold has two mold parts, which can be pivoted with respect to each other about a connecting axis, with at least one locking element, which is arranged on one of the mold parts and interacts with at least one counter element arranged on the other mold part, in order to lock the two mold parts with respect to each other. The counter element is arranged about an axis arranged substantially parallel to the connecting axis and can be turned between a locking position, and an unlocking position. The device has an actuating element for turning the counter element, having a drive element which interacts with the counter element to actuate it.

Abstract: A molding machine includes a machine table, a mold unit and a pair of positioning units. The mold unit includes first and second molds mounted on the machine table and movable between a mold-closing position and a mold-opening position. The first and second molds abut against each other in the mold-closing position. Each of the positioning units includes a first positioner connected to the first mold, and a second positioner connected to the second mold. When the first and second molds are in the mold-closing position, the first and second positioners are operable to move to a locked state, where the first positioner is held by the second positioner to restrain the first and second molds from deforming away from each other.

Abstract: A stretch blow molding machine may include a blow molding unit, having at least a first and a second mold carrier for receiving at least one mold part, which can be moved relative to one another, connected to one another to form a first working space for receiving the containers, and detached from one another to release the containers. A second working space may be formed between at least one mold part and at least the first mold carrier. A fluid communication system can feed a working fluid to the first and second spaces. At least one valve device for intermittent complete disconnection of fluid communication between at least one of the working spaces and the fluid system is arranged such that pressure of the working fluid within the fluid system is independent of changes in the state of the second space when the fluid communication is disconnected.

Abstract: A blow molding tool (1) for producing a plastic article, in particular a fuel tank, comprising at least one clamping frame (2) with mold clamping devices (3) and at least two blow mold halves, which are formed such that they can be moved together and apart by means of an opening and closing movement of the clamping frame (2) and which respectively have at least one cavity (8) for the forming of the plastic article, the blow molding tool (1) being distinguished by the fact that the mold clamping devices (3) respectively have at least one tool holder (6), in which a mold insert (7) is in each case exchangeably inserted, and in that the tool holders (6) respectively form a peripheral sealing edge (10).

Abstract: Embodiments include a blow molding machine, a method for replacing a blow mold unit, and a mold unit including a blow mold including first and second blow cavity split molds and a plurality of raised bottom molds; first and second pressure receiving plates; a-first and second fixing plates to which the first and second blow cavity split molds and the first and second pressure receiving plates are respectively fixed; a third fixing plate interposed between the first and second fixing plates and to which the raised bottom molds are fixed at a first surface thereof; a pressure receiving rod hanging down from a second surface of the third fixing plate and including an engaged portion engageable with the engaging portion; and a placement portion fixed to at least one of the first and second fixing plates and placing the third fixing plate thereon when the first and second blow cavity split molds are closed.

Abstract: A blow mold unit including a blow mold including first and second blow cavity split molds and a plurality of raised bottom molds, first and second pressure receiving plates, a first fixing plate to which the first blow cavity split mold and the first pressure receiving plate are fixed, a second fixing plate to which the second blow cavity split mold and the second pressure receiving plate are fixed, a third fixing plate interposed between the first and second fixing plates and to which the plurality of raised bottom molds are fixed at a first surface thereof, a shaft portion extending vertically from a second surface of the third fixing plate, an elevation guide block fixed to one of the first and second fixing plates and elevation guiding the shaft portion, and an elevating rod extending vertically from the second surface. There is also a blow molding machine which includes the blow mold unit.

Abstract: Device for forming containers from blanks made of plastic material, having a mold provided with a wall defining a cavity intended to receive the blank; a boxing insert mounted movably with respect to the mold between a retracted position in which the insert is retracted into the wall, and an extended position in which the insert projects from the wall toward the interior of the cavity; a plate, on which the insert is rigidly fixed; a support on which the plate is removably mounted; and a system for the quick attachment of the plate to the support.

Abstract: Machine for forming containers (3a), comprising a unit (2) for extruding tubes (3) made of plastic, associated with an electric extrusion motor (200), a blowing unit (5) associated with an electric blowing motor (500), a mould (4) for containing the containers (3a), formed by two half-moulds (4a,4b) movable, upon operation of an associated electric mould motor (400), in a longitudinal direction X-X, the unit formed by the mould (4) and by the associated mould operating motor (400) being displaceable, upon operation of an electric displacement motor (300), in a transverse direction (Y-Y) from a first position substantially aligned with the extrusion unit (2) into a second position substantially aligned with the blowing unit (5) and vice versa, comprising at least one base power supply/recovery module (2000) and at least one first control module (2300) connected to said displacement motor (400) for controlling the acceleration/deceleration thereof.

Abstract: A modular mold clamp assembly for use in a molding machine. The assembly has a frame with a base member and oppositely-facing end members, with the oppositely-facing end members having mounting areas provided thereon. First and second platens are movably mounted on the base member between an open and a closed position. The platens are mounted on the frame and are movable relative to the frame without transmitting forces to the frame. The frame, containing the platens, can be mounted or unmounted to the molding machine by the use of mounting hardware cooperating with the mounting area of the frame.

Abstract: A cam follower slide component used in an apparatus for extrusion blow molding polyethylene teraphthalate is disclosed. The cam follower slide component is designed to include disc springs positioned about a spindle that is in turn located along the slide direction of the cam follower. With the inclusion of disc springs, the cam follower slide is capable of absorbing certain excessive forces within the blow mold clamping linkage system that may develop during irregular blow mold process conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the cam follower slide component includes the ability to adjust the spring force of the disc springs to allow for a variation in allowable excess system linkage forces.

Abstract: A magazine apparatus including a plurality of receiving elements that are constructed and arranged to separately receive individual blow molds each having a plurality of parts and each configured to shape plastic-material preforms into plastic-material containers. The magazine apparatus being constructed and arranged to store a plurality of blow molds outside the working operational area of a blow molding machine.

Abstract: A blow molding machine for blow molding a container having an integrally formed handle; said container blow molded from a previously injection molded preform; said preform comprising a body portion and said integrally formed handle; said machine including a preform loading station at which said preform is oriented by a preform orienting apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a molding device (10) for a machine for manufacturing containers, in particular bottles, made of a thermoplastic material by blow-molding or stretch blow-molding a preheated preform. The molding device (10) includes: two half-molds (14), each of which is provided with a half-cavity (16) and each of which includes a sealing surface (18) and an outer surface (20); two mold carriers (34), each of which has a recess (40) for receiving a corresponding half-mold (14); and an attachment element (44, 52) for removably attaching each half-mold (14) into the recess (40) of the corresponding mold carrier (34), characterized in that the attachment element (44, 52) is controlled by the attraction of the half-mold (14) against the back wall (42) of the recess (40) of the mold carrier (34).

Abstract: The device according to the invention is used to blow-mold containers. After thermal conditioning, a preform is shaped into the container inside a blow mold by the effect of blowing pressure. The blow mold is retained by a support. A pressure area (43) is sealed from the surroundings by a seal (41). The seal (41) has at least two areas (45, 46). A first area (45) is composed of a harder material than the second area (46). The two areas are rigidly connected to each other.

Abstract: A device for blow-molding containers, the device comprising a structure and a platform mounted to rotate on the structure about an axis of rotation, the platform being provided with blower members and with molds that are mounted under the blower members, each of which comprises a stationary mold portion and a movable mold portion that is movable by control means between an open position and a closed position for the mold, wherein the device includes blocking members for blocking the molds in the closed state, each blocking member comprising a strut mounted on the platform to move between a retracted position and a blocking position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hollow bodies from thermoplastic material, comprising the molding of at least two sheet-like, web-shaped preforms of plasticated thermoplastic material in a multi-part tool forming a cavity to form two complementary shells, and also the joining together of the shells to form a substantially closed hollow body, wherein the preforms are brought between open parts of the tool which each have part-cavities, the parts of the tool are then closed against a tool separator arranged between the preforms, and the preforms are inserted into the part-cavities with the use of differential pressure and molded. In a subsequent separate method step, the tools are reopened and internal components of the hollow body to be produced are fastened to the shells. Finally, the shells are joined together by reclosing the tools to form a closed hollow body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a molding device for a machine for producing containers consisting of a thermoplastic material by forming a pre-heated preform using at least one pressurized fluid. The device includes: two mold carriers mounted in such a way that they can move in relation to each other about a rotational axis, between an open position and a closed position; two mold halves that each have a half-impression, are carried by a mold carrier, and are respectively mounted in the associated mold carrier; and fixing element that can dismountably fix each mold half, in its mounted position, to the mold carrier. The element for fixing each mold half to the mold carrier, which are mounted in such a way that they can move at least between a fixing position and a release position, can be controlled as they move between the positions when the mold carriers are in the closed position.

Abstract: What is described is a blow-molding machine for plastic containers, comprising a plurality of platens for supporting blow mold halves, wherein at least two of the platens are in the form of movable multi-carriers for simultaneously supporting at least two blow mold halves which are assigned to different blow-molding cavities. Since the multi-carriers are driven in such a manner that at least one of the blow-molding cavities can be opened and at the same time at least one other of the blow-molding cavities can be closed by means of a continuous movement of the multi-carriers, acceleration and deceleration ramps can be reduced upon opening and closing and it is possible to gain process time for the blow molding.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the shaping of plastics material containers, with a movable carrier on which are arranged a plurality of shaping stations for the shaping of plastics material pre-forms into plastics material containers, wherein these shaping stations have blow mould carrier parts movable with respect to each other for opening and closing the shaping stations, and wherein the shaping stations have a locking mechanism for holding the shaping stations in a closed state.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for the stretch blow molding of plastics material pre-forms to form plastics material containers with a carrying device (2) for carrying a blow mold (3) comprising at least two shell parts (4, 5) and a base part (6) and with a base part clamping device (10) comprising a base part receiving means (11; 111) and holding devices (12, 13 and 14, 15; 114, 115 respectively) for holding the base part receiving means (11; 111), in which the base part receiving means (11; 111) is capable of being clamped to the holding devices (12, 13 and 14, 15; 114, 115 respectively) by way of a fastening with positive locking (18; 118), in which the fastening with positive locking (18; 118) has positive locking areas (22) produced from ceramic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and to a method for the electromechanical drive for mold closing systems and calibration blow mandrel systems in blow molding machines, wherein the arrangement for the drive of an extrusion blow molding machine includes a push mechanism (3; 11), a push rod (4; 12) and exactly one electric motor (1; 9), wherein the push rod (4; 12) is movable by the push mechanism (3; 11) which is driven by the electric motor (1; 9), wherein the electric motor (1; 9) has an additional braking device (2; 10) which can be activated on the reaching of a required torque or a required force of the electric motor (2; 10) to hold the push rod (4; 12) in a state of maximum tension in its instantaneous position.

Abstract: A blow mould assembly for moulding plastic preforms into plastic containers may include a blow mould unit forming a cavity, within which the plastic preforms can be expanded into plastic containers. The blow mould unit may be of a design that includes at least two parts. The assembly further includes a blow mould holder for receiving the blow mould unit. The blow mould holder may include at least two mould holder elements for receiving parts of the blow mould unit. The assembly further includes a locking mechanism configured to arrest at least one part of the blow mould unit with respect to at least one mould holder element. The locking mechanism includes an engagement member that exerts a force, in a latched condition of the part of the blow mould unit with respect to a mould holder element, onto a section of the part of the blow mould unit. The force holds the part of the blow mould unit relative to the mould holder element.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding plastic preforms into plastic containers, includes at least one blow molding station having a cavity, within which the plastic preforms can be expanded into the plastic containers, wherein the blow molding station includes a base part that delimits the cavity and wherein the base part is releasably mounted on a carrier by a fastening mechanism. The apparatus includes a force application member to which an engageable force can be applied and which generates in a fixed condition of the base part on the carrier a holding force that keeps the base part and the carrier together.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding plastic preforms into plastic containers, includes a plurality of molding stations which are arranged on a movable carrier. The molding stations each include blow molds, within which plastic preforms can be molded into plastic containers by applying a flowable medium, as well as blow mold carriers for holding the blow molds, a clean room which at least partially surrounds the individual molding stations, so that the molding stations can be moved within the clean room, and a locking mechanism at least partially located within the clean room, to lock the two blow mold carrier parts together in a closed condition. The locking mechanism includes a first locking element that cooperates with a second locking element, the first locking element being arranged to be movable by a movement device that is supported by at least one bearing that is at least partially provided outside of the clean room.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping plastics material preforms into plastics material containers, having a multiplicity of shaping stations arranged on a movable carrier. The shaping stations each comprise blow moulds, inside which the plastics material preforms can be shaped into plastics material containers by application of a free-flowing medium, as well as blow mould carriers for holding these blow moulds. The blow mould carriers comprise at least two blow moulding carrier parts movable in relation to one another to open and close the blow moulds, and having at least one fastening element, via which at least one element of the shaping stations is arranged on the carrier. A clean chamber surrounds the individual shaping stations, at least in part, so that the shaping stations are movable inside this clean chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping plastics material pre-forms into containers has a plurality of blow molding stations arranged on a movable carrier The blow molding stations have two part blow molds with a cavity inside in which the plastics material pre-forms are expanded. The blow molding stations have stressing devices which act upon the plastics material pre-forms to expand them with a flowable medium. At least one first bearing device is provided for movable mounting of the blow mold carriers with respect to each other and at least one second bearing device is provided for movable mounting of the first locking element with respect to the second locking element. At least one of these bearing devices is a slide bearing without lubricant or a bearing which is injection molded at least in part from a plastics material between bearing parts movable relative to each other.