A multi-functional utility skid for use with an air compressor, a chiller, and a connection having a first end engaging the chiller and a second end to provide utilities to a blow-molding machine for blow-molding articles. The skid is located proximate the machine and includes a pump engaging the second end of the connection, receiving chilled water from the chiller, being located proximate the chiller to minimize the length of the connection, and providing chilled water to both the machine and a separate supply of chilled water. The skid further includes an integral unit combining a dehumidifier that controls the humidity of the environment surrounding the machine with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit that receives the supply of chilled water from the pump, controls the temperature of the environment surrounding the machine, and supplies conditioned air to the dehumidifier thereby avoiding the need for a heat exchanger.

A multi-functional utility skid for use with an air compressor, a chiller, and a connection having a first end engaging the chiller and a second end to provide utilities to a blow-molding machine for blow-molding articles. The skid is located proximate the machine and includes a pump engaging the second end of the connection, receiving chilled water from the chiller, being located proximate the chiller to minimize the length of the connection, and providing chilled water to both the machine and a separate supply of chilled water. The skid further includes an integral unit combining a dehumidifier that controls the humidity of the environment surrounding the machine with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit that receives the supply of chilled water from the pump, controls the temperature of the environment surrounding the machine, and supplies conditioned air to the dehumidifier thereby avoiding the need for a heat exchanger.

A container treatment system (1, 13) that has at least two working areas (AP). Each of the working areas (AP) respectively comprises at least one exchangeable working tool (2) and/or one adaptable format part. Furthermore, the container treatment system (1, 13) comprises at least one automatic exchange machine (10) which is movable, in particular drivable, to the at least two working areas (AP), which automatic exchange machine (10) can be connected selectively to any of the respective working areas (AP), in particular using centering means (22, 32), and which automatic exchange machine (10) comprises tools for exchanging the working tools (2) and/or for adapting the format parts of the respective working area (AP). The invention further relates to an automatic exchange machine (10) for exchanging working tools (2) and/or for adapting the format parts of at least two different working areas (AP) of a container treatment system (1, 13).

A method of forming and filling a container with an end product. Accordingly to the method, a preform is located within a mold assembly that defines the shape of the container and a nozzle assembly is moved so as to engage with at least one of the preform and the mold assembly forming a liquid tight seal. The end product is injected into the preform to simultaneously form a container from the preform and fill the container with the end product. After forming and filling the container, the nozzle assembly, which was used to inject the end product, is disengaged from the preform and/or mold assembly. After the nozzle assembly is disengaged, the filled container is removed from the mold assembly and residual end product is purged from the nozzle assembly.

A transport and feed unit for preforms, in particular for PET bottles, in which the transport and feed unit can be charged with preforms at its upstream end and supplies the preforms to a conveyor unit arranged at the downstream end of the transport and feed unit. The transport and feed unit has a first conveyor and a second conveyor, in which at the downstream end of the first conveyor a funnel-like device is provided through which the preforms reach the second conveyor which supplies the preforms to the conveyor unit arranged at its downstream end.

A liquid blow molding apparatus including a support pin disposed in a blow mold. The support pin includes a head and a shaft. The support pin is configured to define a gap between the head and a bottom of the preform in a state where the preform is placed in the blow mold and is also configured to support the bottom of the preform at a time of a molding process and to be displaced downward in accordance with deformation of the preform.

A liquid blow molding apparatus including a support pin disposed in a blow mold. The support pin includes a head and a shaft. The support pin is configured to define a gap between the head and a bottom of the preform in a state where the preform is placed in the blow mold and is also configured to support the bottom of the preform at a time of a molding process and to be displaced downward in accordance with deformation of the preform.

An apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, having a transport device which transports the plastic preforms along a predetermined transport path. The transport device has a movable and in particular rotatable transport carrier on which a plurality of forming stations is arranged. The forming stations each having blow molding devices with at least two blow mold side parts and a bottom part which form a hollow space inside which the plastic preforms are formed into the plastic containers by applying a flowable medium. The forming stations each having application devices for applying the flowable medium to the plastic preforms. A diameter of the transport carrier is smaller than 2 m, and 4-16 forming stations are arranged on the transport carrier or a diameter of the transport carrier is smaller than 3 m, and 17 to 35 forming stations are arranged on the transport carrier.

An apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, having a transport device which transports the plastic preforms along a predetermined transport path. The transport device has a movable and in particular rotatable transport carrier on which a plurality of forming stations is arranged. The forming stations each having blow molding devices with at least two blow mold side parts and a bottom part which form a hollow space inside which the plastic preforms are formed into the plastic containers by applying a flowable medium. The forming stations each having application devices for applying the flowable medium to the plastic preforms. A diameter of the transport carrier is smaller than 2 m, and 4-16 forming stations are arranged on the transport carrier or a diameter of the transport carrier is smaller than 3 m, and 17 to 35 forming stations are arranged on the transport carrier.

A blow molding capable of maintaining the parison thickness distribution uniform, fabricating high-quality molded products, and improving its productivity. A parison supply device for supplying, to a blow mold, a parison discharged from an extrusion die, the parison supply device including: a pair of chucks for pinching, from above and below, a parison discharged downward from the extrusion die; and a chuck operation part for controlling an operation of pinching the parison by the pair of chucks and an operation of moving the pair of chucks. By the chuck operation part, the pair of chucks performs the operation of pinching the parison while being moved downward.