Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for transferring products, comprising a means for fetching the products in a line in a first direction, at least one output conveyor, in a transverse direction with respect to said first direction, and a tool for transferring said products in groups. The transfer tool has only two degrees of freedom of movement in a horizontal plane, in said first direction and in said transverse direction. The invention relates also to a corresponding method for transferring products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for transferring products, which includes a delivery unit for delivering said products, which moves them one behind the other in a feed direction, and, on the other hand, an output conveyor, extending from the delivery unit, transversely to the delivery direction. This device further includes a rotary tool that rotates about a rotation axis, this tool having collectors distributed radially about the axis and being movable parallel to the delivery direction, such that the rotation of the tool causes each successive collector to release a group of products from the delivery means to the outlet conveyor. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: An installation (26) for thermally conditioning thermoplastic preforms (14) that are intended to be formed, the installation (26) including:—a thermal-conditioning zone (40) divided vertically into a heating first part (42) which is intended to house a body (16) of the preform (14) and a cooling second part (44) which is intended to house a neck (20) of the preform (14);—a device (62) for cooling a portion of the preform (14) by producing a stream of gas passing through the thermal-conditioning zone (40); characterized in that the cooling device (62) produces a blade (63) of gas blown with laminar flow through an axial outlet slit (72).

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 device (10) for the manufacture of containers by blow molding, includes: —a mold (12) equipped with a line for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid, having on an external face (34) of the mold (12) a heat transfer fluid inlet orifice (30) and a heat transfer fluid outlet orifice (32); —a mold carrier (20, 22) in which the mold (12) is removably mounted; —a plug (38) fitted with a duct (40) for conveying the heat transfer fluid and with a duct (42) for removing the heat transfer fluid, the plug (38) being mounted so that it can slide longitudinally on the mold carrier (20, 22) between a position of connection with the orifices (30, 32) of the mold (12) and a position of disconnection of the orifices of the mold, and elements for clamping the plug against the mold in the position of connection.

Abstract: A method for changing a mould of a moulding device, includes at least the following steps for dismounting a mould: (a) controlling fixing elements in order to release each mould half (20), (b) joining the mould halves together in order to form a single transportable sub-set, (c) opening mould carriers (14) from their closed position during steps (a) and (b) in order to extract, with a translational movement, the sub-set arranged in a reference position, and (d) removing the sub-set as a single unit from its reference position, from between the mould carriers.

Abstract: A plant (10) for manufacturing containers (12) from thermoplastic preforms (16), the plant (10) including at least:—a first unit (12) for thermally conditioning the preforms (16) which includes a first vertical lateral face (F1); and—a second unit (14) for shaping the containers (24) from the preforms (16) which have been thermally conditioned in the first unit (12), the second unit including a second vertical lateral face (F2); characterized in that the plant (10) includes at least one robot (50) which faces the first vertical lateral face (F1) and the second vertical lateral face (F2) in order to selectively operate through the first vertical lateral face (F1) and/or through the second vertical lateral face (F2) to carry out operations on the first unit (12) and/or the second unit (14).

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly (10) for fastening, with fluid connection, a mold bottom to a holder (12), in which the mold bottom, of principal axis (O), is able to be removably fastened to a plate (14) forming an interface between the mold bottom and the holder (12), the assembly (10) including at least one locking device and a fluid connection device, respectively placed between the plate (14) and the holder (12), characterized in that the movement of a first locking element (44) and a first connecting element (46) is coupled via a moveable part (88) so that together they form a moveable element.

Abstract: A plant (10) for manufacturing containers (12) from thermoplastic preforms (16), the plant (10) including at least:—a first unit (12) for thermally conditioning the preforms (16) which includes a first vertical lateral face (F1); and—a second unit (14) for shaping the containers (24) from the preforms (16) which have been thermally conditioned in the first unit (12), the second unit including a second vertical lateral face (F2); characterized in that the plant (10) includes at least one robot (50) which faces the first vertical lateral face (F1) and the second vertical lateral face (F2) in order to selectively operate through the first vertical lateral face (F1) and/or through the second vertical lateral face (F2) to carry out operations on the first unit (12) and/or the second unit (14).

Abstract: A device (10) for the manufacture of containers by blow moulding, includes:—a mould (12) equipped with a line for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid, having on an external face (34) of the mould (12) a heat transfer fluid inlet orifice (30) and a heat transfer fluid outlet orifice (32);—a mould carrier (20, 22) in which the mould (12) is removably mounted;—a plug (38) fitted with a duct (40) for conveying the heat transfer fluid and with a duct (42) for removing the heat transfer fluid, the plug (38) being mounted so that it can slide longitudinally on the mould carrier (20, 22) between a position of connection with the orifices (30, 32) of the mould (12) and a position of disconnection of the orifices of the mould, and elements for clamping the plug against the mould in the position of connection.

Abstract: Conveyor for transporting articles such as a chain conveyor that can be changed between a stretched configuration and a compact configuration, the chain being formed from a plurality of articulated links. Each link includes a trolley provided with lateral guide mechanism cooperating with a track defining a predetermined trajectory, a support carrying a nozzle for the releasable attachment of an article, the support mounted rotatably with respect to the trolley between a straight position corresponding to the deployed configuration of the chain, and an oblique position, corresponding to the compact position of the chain and in which the support is inclined with respect to the straight position; and an actuator coupled to the support, capable of driving the support in rotation from its straight position to its oblique position, and reciprocally.

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: Disclosed is an assembly (10) for fastening, with fluid connection, a mould bottom to a holder (12), in which the mould bottom, of principal axis (O), is able to be removably fastened to a plate (14) forming an interface between the mould bottom and the holder (12), the assembly (10) including at least one locking device and a fluid connection device, respectively placed between the plate (14) and the holder (12), characterized in that the movement of a first locking element (44) and a first connecting element (46) is coupled via a moveable part (88) so that together they form a moveable element.

Abstract: An automated system for changing a mold of a molding unit (24) with which a machine for manufacturing containers is provided, characterized in that the system includes at least one control module (M) having at least a first actuating device (122) combined with the locking device (90) of the molding unit (24) and a second actuating device (126) combined with the opening/closing device (82) of the molding unit (24).

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: 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: An automated system for changing a mold of a molding unit (24) with which a machine for manufacturing containers is provided, characterized in that the system includes at least one control module (M) having at least a first actuating device (122) combined with the locking device (90) of the molding unit (24) and a second actuating device (126) combined with the opening/closing device (82) of the molding unit (24).

Abstract: A container inverting device is capable of inverting containers that have a neck oriented in a first direction at the entrance of the device and then in a second direction at the exit of the device. The inverting device includes at least one clamp (45) for holding the neck of a container. The clamp (45) is mounted on a belt (49) by a fixing bracket (47), and in order to invert the container, the belt passes around at least one pulley (33) and moves the clamp from one side of the pulley (33) to the other.

Abstract: A method for changing a mould of a moulding device, includes at least the following steps for dismounting a mould: (a) controlling fixing elements in order to release each mould half (20), (b) joining the mould halves together in order to form a single transportable sub-set, (c) opening mould carriers (14) from their closed position during steps (a) and (b) in order to extract, with a translational movement, the sub-set arranged in a reference position, and (d) removing the sub-set as a single unit from its reference position, from between the mould carriers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a moulding 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 mould 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 mould halves that each have a half-impression, are carried by a mould carrier, and are respectively mounted in the associated mould carrier; and fixing element that can dismountably fix each mould half, in its mounted position, to the mould carrier. The element for fixing each mould half to the mould 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 mould carriers are in the closed position.