Abstract: A method is described for shaping the bottom of hot-filled containers, in which the bottoms of the containers are forced inwardly from a state bulged outwardly, in particular as they cool down. Complex mechanisms for forcing the bottom inwardly are dispensable for the reason that the bottoms are forced inwardly by at least one fluid jet and/or fluid pressure wave. In addition, shaping the bottom can advantageously be carried out in a production region immediately downstream of a closer.

Abstract: A method is described for shaping the bottom of hot-filled containers, in which the bottoms of the containers are forced inwardly from a state bulged outwardly, in particular as they cool down. Complex mechanisms for forcing the bottom inwardly are dispensable for the reason that the bottoms are forced inwardly by at least one fluid jet and/or fluid pressure wave. In addition, shaping the bottom can advantageously be carried out in a production region immediately downstream of a closer.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating plastic parisons, with a transport device which transports the plastic parisons along a predetermined transport path, and with at least one heating device, wherein the heating device has at least one first radiation source which emits thermal radiation as well as at least one reflector device which reflects at least a proportion of the thermal radiation emitted by the radiation source in the direction of the plastic parisons. The reflector device can be attached to the radiation source and has a support and a reflection component which bears against the support on at least one region and is suitable for reflection of the radiation.

Abstract: A method for production control in stretch blow molding of plastic containers in a blow molding machine, and a test preform for the use therewith, and a blow molding machine for performing the method. At least one test preform with a regular and/or in particular equidistant, printed test pattern is fed into a stream of product preforms entering the blowing molding machine. Furthermore, the product preforms and the test preform are in the continuous operation of the blow molding machine blown to form product containers and to form a test container and the test container is imaged with at least one camera. The product quality during the ongoing test operation can thereby with imaged test container be performed flexibly and selectively.

Abstract: A plastic container has a mouth region and a main body adjoining the mouth region in a longitudinal direction (L) of the plastic container. The main body has a peripheral wall extending around in a circumferential direction of the plastic container. A container base adjoining the main body has a central region and a plurality of reinforcing ribs which, starting from the central region, extend in the direction of the circumferential wall. A stepped portion extending at least partially in the circumferential region of the plastic container is provided in a circumferential region of the container base which extends in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal direction (L), wherein a vertical position of this stepped portion varies in the longitudinal direction (L).

Abstract: Apparatus for heating plastic parisons, with a transport device which transports the plastic parisons along a predetermined transport path, and with at least one heating device, wherein the heating device has at least one first radiation source which emits thermal radiation as well as at least one reflector device which reflects at least a proportion of the thermal radiation emitted by the radiation source in the direction of the plastic parisons. The reflector device can be attached to the radiation source and has a support and a reflection component which bears against the support on at least one region and is suitable for reflection of the radiation.

Abstract: A method for production control in stretch blow molding of plastic containers in a blow molding machine, and a test preform for the use therewith, and a blow molding machine for performing the method. At least one test preform with a regular and/or in particular equidistant, printed test pattern is fed into a stream of product preforms entering the blowing molding machine. Furthermore, the product preforms and the test preform are in the continuous operation of the blow molding machine blown to form product containers and to form a test container and the test container is imaged with at least one camera. The product quality during the ongoing test operation can thereby with imaged test container be performed flexibly and selectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic container (1) with a mouth region (2), a main body (4) adjoining this mouth region (2) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the plastic container (1), this main body having a peripheral wall extending around in a circumferential direction of the plastic container (1) and a container base (6) adjoining this main body (6), wherein this container base (6) has a central region (62) and a plurality of reinforcing ribs (64, 66) which, starting from this central region (62), extend in the direction of the circumferential wall (42). According to the invention a stepped portion extending at least partially in the circumferential region of the plastic container (1) is provided in a circumferential region (60) of the container base (6) which extends in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal direction (L), wherein a vertical position of this stepped portion (44) varies in the longitudinal direction (L).

Abstract: A hollow stretching rod (10) of a device for blow molding containers is disclosed, wherein the stretching rod (10) has a temperature control medium in an internal conduit (12) for controlling the temperature, and wherein a distance is formed, at least over a certain portion, between the internal conduit (12) and an inner wall (14) of an outer enclosure (13) of the stretching rod (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for heating at least one plastic preform for manufacturing containers may include a reflection body, a source of energy for emitting thermal radiation for heating the plastic preform, and a holding member for holding the plastic preform. The holding member may be moved relative to the reflection body, wherein the reflection body has a first surface allocated to the plastic preform and the source of energy is disposed in such a way that the radiation thereof reaches the reflection body. The reflection body may be constructed of at least two components, wherein a first component has the first surface which is at least partially transparent to the radiation emitted by the source of energy and which has a second structured surface on the side facing away from the first surface. At least a portion of the second component is capable of reflecting the radiation, and this second component abuts against the first component at least in sections.

Abstract: A hollow stretching rod (10) of a device for blow molding containers is disclosed, wherein the stretching rod (10) has a temperature control medium in an internal conduit (12) for controlling the temperature, and wherein a distance is formed, at least over a certain portion, between the internal conduit (12) and an inner wall (14) of an outer enclosure (13) of the stretching rod (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for heating at least one plastic preform for manufacturing containers may include a reflection body, a source of energy for emitting thermal radiation for heating the plastic preform, and a holding member for holding the plastic preform. The holding member may be moved relative to the reflection body, wherein the reflection body has a first surface allocated to the plastic preform and the source of energy is disposed in such a way that the radiation thereof reaches the reflection body. The reflection body may be constructed of at least two components, wherein a first component has the first surface which is at least partially transparent to the radiation emitted by the source of energy and which has a second structured surface on the side facing away from the first surface. At least a portion of the second component is capable of reflecting the radiation, and this second component abuts against the first component at least in sections.