A method for forming and filling a container with liquid. The container being formed from a preform located within a mold and the method utilizing a hydraulic blow molding device that is coupled to a source of the liquid, which is used as the blow molding medium. The hydraulic blow molding device has a blow nozzle and a member that is extended from a retracted position to a position within the preform. A blow nozzle engages in fluid tight communication with an open end of the preform so as to provide a sealing engagement of the blow nozzle with the preform. The liquid blow medium is injected into the preform so as to form the container after sealing engagement of the blow nozzle with the preform. The member initiates its advancement into the preform prior to the time of sealing engagement of the blow nozzle with the preform.

A liquid blow molding method comprises: a preliminary pressurization step of operating a pressurization supply source (30) in a state in which a blow nozzle (23) is closed by a seal body (27), to preliminarily pressurize a liquid (L) between the pressurization supply source (30) and the blow nozzle (23); an operating condition setting step of setting an operating condition of the pressurization supply source (30) based on data obtained as a result of the preliminary pressurization step; and a blow molding step of operating the pressurization supply source (30) under the operating condition set in the operating condition setting step in a state in which the blow nozzle (23) is opened, to liquid blow mold a preform (2) into a container of a predetermined shape.

A molding unit (1) for blow molding a container from a parison, the container including a wall portion and a base, the molding unit (1) including: a mold sidewall (2) extending along a main axis (X) and having an inner molding surface (3) defining a counter print of the wall portion of the container, and an opening (8) at a lower end of the inner molding surface (3), a cylinder jacket (10) fixed to the mold sidewall (2) and extending axially below the opening (8); a movable mold base (14) having a cylindrical bracket (17) slidingly received within the cylinder jacket (10) and a body (15) axially protruding from the bracket (17), a wear ring (33) fixed to the mold base (14), the wear ring (33) including a cylindrical guiding bushing (34) interposed between the bracket (17) and the cylinder jacket (10).

The invention relates to a stretch rod for the form-and-fill head of a machine for forming and filling of containers produced from preforms. The object of the invention is to devise a stretch rod of this type which can be cleaned and/or disinfected without being disassembled and without any other intervention. According to the invention, the object is achieved by a stretch rod (5) for the form-and-fill head (3) of a machine for forming and filling (molding and filling) of containers produced from preforms (2), which rod comprises a drive unit for axially moving said stretch rod (5). At least the part (6) of the drive unit which is connected to the stretch rod (5) is arranged in a drive chamber (11) which is sealed off from the regions of the form-and-fill head (3) which come into contact with the filling material (the material with which the container is being filled). The inventive stretch rod is characterized in that the sealing action is achieved by a seal (12) which surrounds the stretch rod (5).

A method of hydroforming a container from a preform. During the method, an injection nozzle is moved from a retracted position, where the nozzle is spaced away from the neck of the preform, to an intermediate position, where contact is established between a first contact surface of the nozzle and the finish of the preform. The nozzle is then moved from the intermediate position to an injection position, where a second contact surface of the nozzle abuts an abutment surface and the neck is axially compressed. With the nozzle in the injection position, a liquid is injected from the nozzle into the preform causing the preform to expand and form the container.

A hydraulic blow molding apparatus having a container forming station with a forming head coupled to a source of liquid blow medium. The container forming station further includes a mold configured to receive a preform and has interior surfaces that define the container shape. The container forming station injects a liquid end product into the preform and expands the preform to simultaneously form and fill a container with the liquid end product. Prior to the container being removed from the container forming station and while it is still full of the liquid end product, a seal is engaged with the container.

A device of a blow-moulding apparatus for moulding hollow bodies, in particular a stretch blow-moulding machine, is disclosed. The device includes a housing block with a through-bore, at least one valve with a movable piston and with a valve chamber, a first channel which runs in the housing block and which connects the valve chamber to the through-bore, a second channel which connects the valve chamber to an external line, and a cover for fastening the valve to the housing block. The valve connects the first channel and the second channel to one another and separates them from one another. The second channel runs at least partially in the cover and/or at least one part of the valve chamber is arranged in the cover and surrounds the piston. The device is small and compact and the valves may be replaced in a simple manner.

An apparatus for the fabrication of a container, comprising a mold defining the form of said container and container and configured to accommodate a substantially tubular preform, an injection head configured to interface with the preform and establish fluid communication with a cavity thereof; an injection valve configured to selectively permit fluid communication through said injection head, and a stretching rod slideably disposed within the injection head; said apparatus further comprising a displacement plunger being disposed coaxially about and mobile relative to said stretching rod between a retracted position substantially within the injection head and an extended position wherein said displacement plunger projects at least partially from said injection head.

Method for producing a plastic bottle, and preform and blowing mold suited therefore are disclosed. An exemplary process can produce a plastic bottle, for example, a PET bottle. Such a bottle can be produced from a preform which has a body which is closed on one side, which is connected to a neck section with a pour opening, in which the preform which has been produced in a plastic injection process or an extrusion process is placed in the mold cavity of a blow mold and inflated using the blow nozzle by overpressure according to the mold cavity. Sealing can take place between the blow nozzle and the preform within the preform.

Mold filling machine for producing and filling containers made from preforms, comprising a mold filling station with a mold for receiving a preform, wherein the mold has an opening, such that an opening region of the preform in the mold is accessible, the mold filling station having a treatment unit with at least two treatment subunits, which are arranged movably in the treatment unit in such a way that the treatment subunits can be positioned alternately over the opening and the treatment unit has a sealing element, which can be positioned over the opening of the mold in such a way as to form a gastight space, which includes the interior space of the preform and/or container and the treatment subunits.