Abstract: A method for blow molding from preforms hollow articles, particularly beverage bottles, at a high production rate. The method incorporates a clamp assembly which receives therein carriers containing a number of preforms arranged in a line and wherein there are two mold units, one on each side of a central longitudinally elongated clamp member which is mounted for transverse reciprocatory movement. When the clamp member is positioned to close one mold unit, it operates to open the other mold unit so that while preforms in the closed mold unit are being blow molded, the other mold unit is open and may have the carrier supporting previously blow molded articles displaced therefrom and replaced by a carrier containing a new set of preforms whereby, when the blow molding operation of the one mold unit is completed, the other mold unit is ready for closing and a blow molding operation.

Abstract: This relates to a blow molding apparatus wherein in lieu of the mold halves closing on a preform and thereafter the blowing operation initiated, the preform is shifted into one of the mold halves and thereafter advance of the stretch rod into the preform and movement of the blow head to a position closely adjacent the preform is effected before the closing of the mold is completed. Such arrangement permits a reduction in cycle time. This abstract forms no part of the specification of this application and is not to be construed as limiting the claims of the application.

Abstract: This relates to a blow molding apparatus wherein in lieu of the mold halves closing on a preform and thereafter the blowing operation initiated, the preform is shifted into one of the mold halves and thereafter advance of the stretch rod into the preform and movement of the blow head to a position closely adjacent the preform is effected before the closing of the mold is completed. Such arrangement permits a reduction in cycle time. This abstract forms no part of the specification of this application and is not to be construed as limiting the claims of the application.

Abstract: This relates to a blow head to be utilized in combination with a multiple cavity blow mold for introducing blowing gas to the individual preforms positioned within the mold cavities. There is a blow head for each mold cavity and each blow head, although the blow heads are carried by a single blow beam, are actuated to supply blowing gas only if a preform is present within the respective mold cavity. This abstract forms no part of the specification of this application and is not to be construed as limiting the claims of the application.

Abstract: This relates to an apparatus for blow molding from preforms hollow articles, particularly beverage bottles, at a high production rate. The apparatus incorporates a clamp assembly which receives therein carriers containing a number of preforms arranged in a line and wherein there are two mold units, one on each side of a central longitudinally elongated clamp member which is mounted for transverse reciprocatory movement. When the clamp member is positioned to close one mold unit, it operates to open the other mold unit so that while preforms in the closed mold unit are being blow molded, the other mold unit is open and may have the carrier supporting previously blow molded articles displaced therefrom and replaced by a carrier containing a new set of preforms whereby, when the blow molding operation of the one mold unit is completed, the other mold unit is ready for closing and a blow molding operation.

Abstract: This relates to a blow molding system wherein a plurality of preforms are simultaneously blow molded within a mold set with the preforms being carried by one or more carriers which move first to a loading station to receive preforms, then through an oven to heat the preforms, then into a mold set wherein the plural preforms are simultaneously blow molded, then to an ejection station where the blow molded articles are discharged, and finally back to the loading station. There are two mold sets which are part of a clamp which operates sequentially to open and close each mold set with one mold set being closed as the other mold set is being opened. The carriers may travel either in a single continuous path for sequentially positioning at first one mold set and then the other, or there may be two continuous circuits for the carriers in which event the two mold sets of the clamp may be different.