A method for operating a forming device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, wherein in a working mode of the apparatus, the plastic preforms are transported by means of a plurality of forming stations along a predefined transport path, and by loading with a fluid medium are expanded into plastic containers, wherein to expand the plastic preforms, blow-moulding devices are used, inside which the plastic preforms are expanded into plastic containers, wherein in a change mode, at least one of the blow-moulding devices is removed from the apparatus and/or one of the blow-moulding devices is arranged on a blow-mould carrier of the apparatus, wherein to change the blow-moulding devices, a change device is used which has a gripper device for gripping the blow-moulding device. According to the invention, in a working mode, the forming device is operated in a first protected area which is not accessible to a machine operator, and the change device is arranged at least partially in a second protected area which is accessible for the machine operator for at least part of the time in working mode, wherein a connection can be created between the first protected area and the second protected area.

In a fixing member 110 formed with an insertion hole 113 for inserting an elevation rod 111, a communication hole 114 communicating with the insertion hole 113 is formed to open at a side surface of the fixing member 110. A key member 112 is inserted into the communication hole 114 and engaged with a key groove 118 provided at the distal end of the elevation rod 111. By so doing, the elevation rod 111 and the fixing member 110 are coupled together.

In a fixing member 110 formed with an insertion hole 113 for inserting an elevation rod 111, a communication hole 114 communicating with the insertion hole 113 is formed to open at a side surface of the fixing member 110. A key member 112 is inserted into the communication hole 114 and engaged with a key groove 118 provided at the distal end of the elevation rod 111. By so doing, the elevation rod 111 and the fixing member 110 are coupled together.

A nozzle alignment fixture suitable for use with a blow/fill/seal packaging machine in the form of an elongated block defining an aligned series of receptacles sized to receive and hold tips of fill nozzles of a blow/fill/seal packaging machine.

A nozzle alignment fixture suitable for use with a blow/fill/seal packaging machine in the form of an elongated block defining an aligned series of receptacles sized to receive and hold tips of fill nozzles of a blow/fill/seal packaging machine.

A blow molded synthetic resin bottle has a body and an elongated neck with the body providing a shoulder extending about the base of the neck. The neck has a first collar extending thereabout spaced adjacent the shoulder and at least one additional collar extending thereabout adjacent the upper end of the neck. The resin in the neck is substantially unoriented. To produce the bottle, a synthetic resin preform is injection molded with a generally tubular body and the elongated neck. This preform is placed in a blow mold cavity having a body receiving portion and a neck receiving portion that has a recess extending thereabout seating the first collar therein. The additional collar is disposed outwardly of the mold cavity and is disposed on the upper surface of the mold.

A method for producing a plastic container by internal pressure forming including arranging a hose-shaped preform between the molding dies of a mold, formed having a mold cavity; closing the mold and forming or preforming a container from the preform by internal pressure, wherein a circumferential section of the preform is pressed through a mold gap into a chamber surrounding the mold cavity and is pressed in the chamber against claw pairs having stationary inner retaining claws and movable outer tear-away claws; and laterally moving the outer tear-away claws, causing the circumferential section between the outer tear-away claws and the inner retaining claws to be torn open and the container to be split into two container halves. Also disclosed is a mold suitable for performing the method.

In at least some implementations, a blow molding apparatus provides that portions of the parison are engaged by one or more clamping devices disposed on or adjacent to the blow mold parts, and that the blow mold is opened whereby the parison is torn apart between the clamping devices, into two or more pieces of the parison. In other implementations, the clamping devices may be moved relative to the blow mold to tear the parison, or the parison may be torn by a combined movement of the blow mold parts and clamping devices.

In at least some implementations, a blow molding apparatus provides that portions of the parison are engaged by one or more clamping devices disposed on or adjacent to the blow mold parts, and that the blow mold is opened whereby the parison is torn apart between the clamping devices, into two or more pieces of the parison. In other implementations, the clamping devices may be moved relative to the blow mold to tear the parison, or the parison may be torn by a combined movement of the blow mold parts and clamping devices.

A blow molded synthetic resin bottle has a body and an elongated neck with the body providing a shoulder extending about the base of the neck. The neck has a first collar extending thereabout spaced adjacent the shoulder and at least one additional collar extending thereabout adjacent the upper end of the neck. The resin in the neck is substantially unoriented. To produce the bottle, a synthetic resin preform is injection molded with a generally tubular body and the elongated neck. This preform is placed in a blow mold cavity having a body receiving portion and a neck receiving portion that has a recess extending thereabout seating the first collar therein. The additional collar is disposed outwardly of the mold cavity and is disposed on the upper surface of the mold.