Abstract: A gripper for holding preforms or containers in their neck region having two pivotable gripper arms held in a base position under spring tension such that their gripping ends jointly enclose and hold the neck region. They are pivotable out of the base position jointly in one direction if they come into contact with an obstacle. In the base position, a main gripper arm is clamped via a spring with the gripper base, which pulls the main arm into contact with the other secondary gripper arm. The main and secondary arms are each mounted in a respective joint. The joint of the secondary arm is closer to its gripping end than the joint of the main arm is to its gripping end. The arms press against one another in the closed position at least in two regions, one above the joint of the secondary arm and the other below it.

Abstract: A gripper system includes a gripper module carrier and a gripper module for holding containers or container preforms, the gripper module having a gripper base and two gripper arms with gripping elements for at least partially gripping around a holding region of containers or container preforms, the gripper arms being mounted on the gripper base such that they can pivot relative to one another, the gripper module being releasably connected to the gripper module carrier, wherein the gripper system further includes a locking device for locking the gripper module to the gripper module carrier, and wherein the locking device is movable into a locking position for locking the gripper module to the gripper module carrier.

Abstract: A temperature adjustment device (2) for thermally conditioning preforms (10) made of a thermoplastic material for subsequent molding including a transport device based on the rotary principle for transporting the preforms along a transport path that has at least one section with two adjacent transport lanes (32, 34) for transporting the preforms in two adjacent rows. Heating elements (36) are arranged between the transport lanes for heating the preforms. Each heating element acts on preforms in both transport lanes. At least one compensation device (22, 22?, 23, 24) for compensating for temperature differences between the preforms is assigned to the two transport lanes, which exclusively or more strongly acts on preforms in one of the two transport lanes for adjusting their temperature. Also, a container manufacturing machine (1) for manufacturing containers (12) from preforms that includes a temperature adjustment device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing containers (22) by blow molding, with at least one temperature-controllable blow mold (21) held by a mold holder (20), namely with a bottom insert held by a bottom mold carrier and/or with mold inserts held by mold half carriers, and is characterized by an inductive heating device, which indirectly heats the bottom insert and/or the mold inserts by means of induction.

Abstract: A method for the production of blow-molded containers that are sterile at least in certain regions, and a blow-molding machine configured to carry out the method. In accordance with the method, blowing stations are arranged on a rotating blowing wheel. A preform of a thermoplastic material is first heated and then stretched in a blowing station by a stretching rod and subjected to a pressurized blowing fluid via a blowing nozzle. A sterilizing fluid is supplied to the preform in the blowing station to perform a sterilization. The sterilizing fluid is fed into the preform from an outlet and is carried away again via an inlet and in between follows a flow path. The sterilizing fluid is made to pass through or pass by the stretching rod on its flow path, and the sterilizing fluid is supplied while the blow-molding machine continues to operate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gripper system (10) comprising a gripper module carrier (12) and a gripper module (14) for holding workpieces (22), in particular containers or container preforms, the gripper module (14) having a gripper base (16) and two gripper arms (18) with gripping elements (20) for at least partially gripping around a holding region (24) of containers or container preforms, the gripper arms being mounted on the gripper base (16) such that they can pivot relative to one another, the gripper module (14) being releasably connected to the gripper module carrier (12), wherein the gripper system (10) further comprises a locking device (26) for locking the gripper module (14) to the gripper module carrier (12), and wherein the locking device (26) is movable into a locking position for locking the gripper module (14) to the gripper module carrier (12).

Abstract: A temperature adjustment device (2) for thermally conditioning preforms (10) made of a thermoplastic material for subsequent molding including a transport device based on the rotary principle for transporting the preforms along a transport path that has at least one section with two adjacent transport lanes (32, 34) for transporting the preforms in two adjacent rows. Heating elements (36) are arranged between the transport lanes for heating the preforms. Each heating element acts on preforms in both transport lanes. At least one compensation device (22, 22?, 23, 24) for compensating for temperature differences between the preforms is assigned to the two transport lanes, which exclusively or more strongly acts on preforms in one of the two transport lanes for adjusting their temperature. Also, a container manufacturing machine (1) for manufacturing containers (12) from preforms that includes a temperature adjustment device.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing blow-molded containers which are sterile at least in some areas. A preform made of a thermoplastic material is first heated in a heating device on a transport path through a blow-molding machine and then supplied with a pressurized fluid in a blow-molding station of the device. The preform is guided along a channel, which conducts a sterile gas, at least over one sub-section of the transport path of the preform. The transport path of the preform out of the channel is supplied with the sterile gas in order to produce a sterile gas corridor in which at least the opening region of the preform is guided. Multiple radiation sources are arranged along the channel and one behind the other in the transport direction. The radiation sources emit a sterilizing radiation onto the preform and/or onto the channel, and/or onto the sterile gas corridor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gripper for holding workpieces, in particular preforms or containers, in their neck region, having a gripper base on which two gripper arms are pivotably arranged, which each have gripping ends for partially enclosing the neck region, wherein the gripper arms are held in a base position under spring tension, in which the gripping ends can jointly enclose and hold a neck region and, if they come into contact with an obstacle, can be pivoted out of the base position jointly in one direction, wherein one of the gripper arms as the main arm (13, 13?) is clamped via a spring (20) with the gripper base (11), which pulls the main arm (13, 13?) into contact with the other gripper arm, functioning as a secondary arm (14, 14?), in the base position, and the main and secondary arm (13, 13?; 14, 14?) are each mounted in a joint (18, 19), wherein the joint (19) of the secondary arm (14) is closer to its gripping end (16) than the joint (18) of the main arm (13), and the main and secondary arm pr

Abstract: A device for the integrated production and filling of containers and a method for cleaning and/or disinfecting at least the mold of at least one molding and filling station of the device. During a cleaning and/or disinfecting operation of the device, at least the inside of the mold is cleaned and/or disinfected with at least one cleaning and/or disinfecting agent by at least one cleaning element. During the cleaning and/or disinfecting operation, the at least one mold is opened and closed at least once, preferably many times and/or the plunger is moved at least once, preferably many times, between its initial position and end position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing containers (22) by blow molding, with at least one temperature-controllable blow mold (21) held by a mold holder (20), namely with a bottom insert held by a bottom mold carrier and/or with mold inserts held by mold half carriers, and is characterized by an inductive heating device, which indirectly heats the bottom insert and/or the mold inserts by means of induction.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing blow-molded containers, which are sterile at least in some areas, in a blow-molding machine. A preform made of a thermoplastic material is first heated, then stretched by a stretching rod in a blowing station, and then supplied with a pressurized fluid via a blow nozzle, wherein a sterilization device is arranged in the blowing station. The sterilization device has at least one radiation source which emits a sterilizing radiation onto the stretching rod and/or onto the blow nozzle.

Abstract: A device for controlling a blow-molding machine for producing a thermoplastic container, wherein a blowing gas for blow-molding the container is introduced into a thermally conditioned preform, while the preform is held in a blow mold of the blow-molding machine. The blowing gas is introduced during a preblowing phase into the preform so that the temperature-conditioned material of the preform approaches the walls of the blow mold. The blowing gas is introduced during a following finish-blowing phase into the preform so that the temperature-conditioned material of the preform is pressed into the contours of the blow mold walls. The volumetric flow rate of the blowing gas is determined at least during the preblowing phase by an adjustable flow-control valve that can be controlled by a control unit that generates a control signal for adjusting the flow-control valve. The flow-control valve is adjusted as a function of the control signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor system for conveying preforms in a device for blow-forming finished containers, wherein the conveyor system comprises a conveyor chain, the chain links of which comprise a carrying element and a conveyor element, the conveyor system being characterized in that the conveyor element comprises a support structure and the carrying element comprises a mounting structure and at least some sections of the support structure and the mounting structure are designed and arranged to complement one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport system for transporting preforms in a device for the blow-molding production of finished containers, wherein the transport system comprises a transport chain, the chain elements of which have a support element for transporting the preforms, wherein the support element comprises a shaft part and a head part, and the head part has a head end region that can be introduced into the opening section of the preform, characterized in that the head part is retained on the shaft part and can be detached from the shaft part via actuation of a first actuation element, wherein the first actuation element is arranged in the shaft part end region facing away from the head part. The invention also relates to a device for the blow-molding production of finished containers from preforms, a use, as well as a method for exchanging at least one head part, each making use of the transport system according to the invention.

Abstract: Method and device for producing containers which are filled with a liquid filling substance from parisons made from a thermoplastic material, wherein the respective parison is at least conditioned thermally and is subsequently shaped into the container during a shaping and filling phase in a mould by way of at least one liquid filling substance as pressure medium, and wherein, while it is being shaped into the container, the prison is preferably guided at least temporarily through a stretching rod and is stretched in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method for producing containers filled with a liquid filling material from blanks made of a thermoplastic material and to a nozzle for use in the method. In the method, each blank is at least thermally conditioned and is then shaped to form the container in a mold during a shaping phase, by axial and radial stretching, as a result of liquid filling material being introduced under pressure into the blank through a nozzle. The axial stretching is initiated by the pulsed injection of filling material into the blank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport system for transporting preforms in a device for the blow-molding production of finished containers, wherein the transport system comprises a transport chain, the chain elements of which have a support element for transporting the preforms, wherein the support element comprises a shaft part and a head part, and the head part has a head end region that can be introduced into the opening section of the preform, characterized in that the head part is retained on the shaft part and can be detached from the shaft part via actuation of a first actuation element, wherein the first actuation element is arranged in the shaft part end region facing away from the head part. The invention also relates to a device for the blow-molding production of finished containers from preforms, a use, as well as a method for exchanging at least one head part, each making use of the transport system according to the invention.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing a container filled with a liquid filling material from preforms made of a thermoplastic material, wherein each preform is thermally conditioned and subsequently, during a molding and filling phase, remolded into the container in a mold having at least one liquid filling material as a pressure medium. The filling material or parts of the filling material are supplied at at least two points in time and/or in at least two process phases with different contents of carbon dioxide and/or at different temperatures. In the second process phase, dry ice, particularly in form of pellets, is supplied.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for transporting preforms (2) made of a thermoplastic material in the region of a blow-molding (10), having a transport wheel (12) which is mounted in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis and which comprises multiple receiving recess (18) distributed in the circumferential direction over the circumference of the transport wheel for receiving and conveying preforms (20). A hook element (14) is arranged on the transport wheel (12) in the region of each receiving recess (18), said hook element being mounted on the transport wheel (12) in a pivotal manner between an open position and a closed position, and in the closed position, the hook element (14) secures a preform (20) to be transported in the respective receiving recess (18) from falling out of the receiving recess (18).