Abstract: A method for operating a transforming device for transforming plastic preforms into plastic containers may include at least one blow mould carrier and a multi-part blow mould arranged on the blow mould carrier. A holding connection may be provided between the blow mould and the blow mould carrier. The holding connection between the blow mould carrier and the blow mould may be detached or established in an at least partially automated manner.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing plastic containers, including a clocked preform manufacturing means, a temperature control means for thermal conditioning preforms manufactured in the preform manufacturing means, and a continuously working blow molding machine, where the temperature control means is designed and/or configured such that preforms that have been manufactured in one cycle of the preform manufacturing means can be differently temperature controlled.

Abstract: A printed container for packing, in particular for packing products for sales purposes, in particular beverages, and a corresponding printing method. The container includes at least one lateral wall section in which a relief-like surface contour is embodied for decoration and/or marking purposes. By the relief-like surface contour being selectively printed, in cooperation of the relief contour with the imprint, an optical impression of the container can be improved, and/or a synergetic effect can be achieved with the haptics of the surface contour.

Abstract: The invention provides a transporting apparatus, a container-handling installation (19) with such a transporting apparatus, and a transporting method. The transporting apparatus (30) serves for transporting containers (2) in a container-handling installation (1), which has a first container-handling arrangement (10), for handling containers (2), and a second container-handling arrangement (20), which is arranged downstream of the first handling arrangement (10) and serves for handling the containers (2) once they have been handled by the first container-handling arrangement (10).

Abstract: A rotary furnace for conditioning performs includes a heating wheel, a plurality of heating modules disposed on the heating wheel and a control device. Each heating module includes a heating chamber including at least one heating radiator adapted for irradiating the preform with infrared radiation, a holding and lifting device configured to lift or lower at least one of the preform and heating chamber so as to introduce the preform into the heating chamber and/or withdraw the preform from the heating chamber, and a temperature measurement device configured to measure a temperature of at least one of the preform and the heating chamber. The control device is configured to actuate the heating modules based on the measured temperature.

Abstract: A rotary furnace for conditioning preforms includes a heating wheel and a plurality of heating modules, each for heating a preform, that are disposed on the heating wheel. Each heating module includes a heating chamber, a holding device for holding the preform and a lifting device. The heating device includes at least one heating radiator adapted for irradiating an outer wall section of the preform with infrared radiation, a recess for introducing the preform, and walls having an insulating layer configured to thermally insulate the heating chamber. The lifting device is configured to raise and lower at least one of the holding device and the heating chamber so as to move the preform into or out of the heating chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for the conditioning of plastics material pre-forms with a tempering space for receiving a plurality of plastics material pre-forms, with a supply device a removal device, and a conveying device which conveys the plastics material pre-forms from the supply device to the removal device in such a way that each plastics material pre-form remains in the tempering space for a preset duration of the dwell period. The temperature of the plastics material pre-forms upon leaving the removal device is substantially constant irrespective of a duration of the dwell period of the plastics material pre-forms in the tempering space and the conveying device is designed in such a way that each plastics material perform remains in the tempering space for a period of time of at least five minutes.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing plastic containers includes a heating module that heats plastic preforms and a moulding module for moulding the preforms into containers. The heating module includes a first transport unit that transports the preforms during the heating and a first interface. The moulding module is downstream of the heating module in the transport direction and includes a blow moulding unit for applying a flowable medium onto the preforms for expansion thereof, a second transport unit that transports the preforms during the expansion, and a second interface. The first and second interfaces allow a mechanical connection and an electrical connection between the modules such that the moulding module may be disposed on the heating module and at least one further module integrated between the heating and moulding modules. The further module treats the preforms following the heating and prior to the moulding.

Abstract: A method for assembling a handling unit of filled containers and a corresponding method, where the handling unit comprises different container types being different with respect to at least the height, base area, base area shape or the mechanical load capacity of the containers, and the supplied containers are arranged on a handling unit carrier. The arrangement of the containers with respect to the number and/or the position and/or the rotational position of the containers on the handling unit carrier is made in dependence on at least one of the above container parameters, and the handling units can be produced flexibly and with a high packing density.

Abstract: An apparatus for reshaping plastic preforms into plastic containers includes a plurality of blow-moulding stations that each have at least one receptacle space, within which the plastic preforms can be expanded into the plastic containers. The apparatus also includes a conveying device that conveys the containers along at least one specified travel path, wherein the apparatus has a plurality of heating devices that are arranged along the travel path of each container, upstream of the blow-moulding stations, wherein at least one heating device is allocated to at least one blow-moulding station.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for manufacturing plastic containers with a heating device (2) for heating plastic preforms (10) and a shaping device (4) for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers, which shaping device is located downstream of the heating device (2) in a transportation direction of the plastic preforms, and with a transportation device (6), which transports the plastic preforms separately through the heating device (2) by means of a multiplicity of transport elements (14). Herein, the apparatus (1) is equipped with a stopper device (8) for temporary interruption of the flow of plastic preforms (10) to the heating device (2), wherein this stopper device (8) enables an interruption of the flow for individual plastic preforms (10). According to the invention, the heating device (2) is equipped with a multiplicity of heating elements (18) to heat individual plastic preforms (10) or groups of plastic preforms (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a blowing mold array (1) for re-molding plastic preforms into plastic containers comprising a blowing mold unit (2) forming a cavity (8), inside of which the plastic preforms can be expanded to plastic containers, wherein the blowing mold unit (2) is at least a two-piece unit, and having a blowing mold retainer (4) for accommodating the blowing mold unit, wherein the blowing mold retainer (4) has at least two mold retainer elements (4a, 4b) for accommodating parts (2a, 2b) of the blowing mold unit (2), and having a locking mechanism (10) in order to arrest at least one part (2a) of the blowing mold unit (2) against at least one mold retainer element (4a), wherein the locking mechanism (10) is provided with an engagement element (12) that can be pivoted and/or shifted relative to a default axis (X), which in an arrested state of the part (2a) of the blowing mold unit (2) opposite a mold retaining element (4a) abuts a segment of the part (2a) of the blowing mold unit (2).

Abstract: A method of treating at least one container in a container treatment plant, including marking at least one container with a marking, detecting the marking of the at least one container, selecting at least one container treatment machine of a container treatment plant and/or at least one operation setting of the at least one container treatment machine of the container treatment plant based on the detected marking, and treating the at least one container based on the selection of the at least one container treatment machine and/or the at least one operation setting.

Abstract: A device for forming plastics material preforms into plastics material containers includes a plurality of blowing stations, each comprising blow moulds, inside which preforms can be formed into containers. The device includes an admission arrangement to expose the preforms, for the forming thereof, to a free-flowing medium, and stretching rods to extend the preforms in the longitudinal direction thereof. The device includes a transport arrangement which transports the blowing stations with the preforms along a first predefined transport path, and a control arrangement which controls movement of the stretching rods and exposure of the preforms to the freeflowing medium so that predefined sub-steps of the forming process are carried out during transport of the preforms along the first path. Sub-steps of the forming process can be carried out irrespective of geometric position of the preforms along the first path, and an output rate of the device can thus be changed.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating containers, and in particular plastic preforms, comprises at least one microwave generating unit that generates an electromagnetic alternating field in the form of microwaves, a microwave transfer unit that transfers the microwaves generated by the microwave generating unit to a resonator unit, and a transport means that transports the plastic preforms relative to the resonator unit). The resonator unit includes a resonator housing forming a receiving chamber for heating the plastic preforms. The resonator unit is arranged such that the electric field lines (E) of an electric field that heats the container are arranged obliquely in relation to a longitudinal direction of the container.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing plastic containers, including a clocked preform manufacturing means, a temperature control means for thermal conditioning preforms manufactured in the preform manufacturing means, and a continuously working blow molding machine, where the temperature control means is designed and/or configured such that preforms that have been manufactured in one cycle of the preform manufacturing means can be differently temperature controlled.

Abstract: A method for the temperature control and/or regulation of a heating device (10) for preforms (46) made from a thermoplastic material, the method being intended for controlling the temperature of the preforms (46) prior to a subsequent blow molding or stretch blow molding process. The temperature control process includes at least two distinct, consecutive heating stages (12, 14). At least one temperature reading of the preforms after the first heating stage is taken, and deviations of the at least one temperature reading from a specified set point temperature is determined, a first temperature reading of the at least one temperature reading being taken after the first heating stage. Radiators in the second heating stage are regulated or adjusted as a function of the first temperature reading and temperature deviations of the preforms from the specified set point temperature are compensated for prior to exit of the preforms from the heating device.

Abstract: A method for the temperature control and/or regulation of a heating device (10) for preforms (46) made from a thermoplastic material, the method being intended for controlling the temperature of the preforms (46) prior to a subsequent blow molding or stretch blow molding process. The temperature control process includes at least two distinct, consecutive heating stages (12, 14), where a near uniform base temperature of the entire preform (46) is achieved in the first heating stage (12). The base temperature approximately corresponds to a maximum heating temperature (T2) for maintaining the dimensional stability of the thread section at the preform's (46) open-topped neck section.

Abstract: A method for the at least two-stage temperature control of preforms (28) made from a thermoplastic material. In this method, the preforms (28) are brought, immediately prior to a blow molding or a stretch blow molding process, to a process-specifically distributed softening temperature (T3) according to a predefineable thermal profile, with said softening temperature (T3) being the temperature required for blow molding or stretch blow molding at least the preform's (28) body section located below the thread section (29) and/or a collar area located therebelow. In addition, the preforms (28) are first preheated to a near uniform temperature, particularly with a largely homogeneous temperature distribution (T2). The invention furthermore includes a heating device (10) for performing the method.