The invention relates to a mold for molding a hollow body from a preform, the mold defining a molding cavity having the shape of the a hollow body to be molded. The mold including a first part and a second part movable relative to each other between an opened configuration, wherein the preform can be loaded inside the molding cavity, and a closed configuration, wherein the molding cavity is formed. The mold further including a locking element arranged to maintain the mold in its closed configuration in a locked position of the mold. The locking element having at least a sleeve portion arranged around a portion of the first and second parts in the closed configuration such that the sleeve portion surrounds the portion of the first and second parts and prevents the mold from moving towards its open configuration in the locked position of the mold.

A method and a molding station for producing containers filled with a liquid filling material from preforms made of a thermoplastic material. Thermally conditioned preforms are molded into containers and filled with the liquid filling material, which is supplied to the preforms under pressure as a pressure medium in a multi-part mold of a molding station. The mold is movable from a closed state into an open state in order to repeatedly supply a preform and subsequently remove a completely molded and filled container. Molding of the preform into the container is performed against the mold inner wall when the mold is in the closed state. Liquid is removed from the mold between temporally successive supplying processes starting with the conversion of the mold from the closed state into the open state. A working wheel including such molding stations, and a device including such a working wheel are also disclosed.

A method and a molding station for producing containers filled with a liquid filling material from preforms made of a thermoplastic material. Thermally conditioned preforms are molded into containers and filled with the liquid filling material, which is supplied to the preforms under pressure as a pressure medium in a multi-part mold of a molding station. The mold is movable from a closed state into an open state in order to repeatedly supply a preform and subsequently remove a completely molded and filled container. Molding of the preform into the container is performed against the mold inner wall when the mold is in the closed state. Liquid is removed from the mold between temporally successive supplying processes starting with the conversion of the mold from the closed state into the open state. A working wheel including such molding stations, and a device including such a working wheel are also disclosed.

An apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers has at least one supply device with at least one first connecting line, wherein at least one section of at least one connecting line is arranged stationary relative to a main carrier by at least one fastening device, and wherein a section of this connecting line is arranged on a device of the forming device in such a way that, in the event of a movement of the side part carrier relative to the main carrier, this section of the connecting line moves relative to the fastening device. An actuator is arranged on the apparatus, to which at least a section of the connecting line is fastened, wherein this actuator also being movable relative to the main carrier.

An apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers has at least one supply device with at least one first connecting line, wherein at least one section of at least one connecting line is arranged stationary relative to a main carrier by at least one fastening device, and wherein a section of this connecting line is arranged on a device of the forming device in such a way that, in the event of a movement of the side part carrier relative to the main carrier, this section of the connecting line moves relative to the fastening device. An actuator is arranged on the apparatus, to which at least a section of the connecting line is fastened, wherein this actuator also being movable relative to the main carrier.

A locking finger for a unit having a molding cavity for molding the container delimited at least by a first shell attached to a first mold carrier and by a second shell attached to a second mold carrier that is movable relative to the first mold carrier between an open position and a closed position, the first mold carrier comprising a control member for controlling the locking finger and the second mold carrier comprising a locking opening, the locking finger comprising an interface for mechanical coupling to the control member, and a locking portion designed to cooperate with the locking opening in the closed position. The molding unit is a subassembly of a plurality of mechanical parts assembled together rigidly, including a main body of the finger comprising the mechanical coupling interface, and said locking portion, which is a main sleeve made from anti-friction material assembled on the main body.

A locking finger for a unit having a molding cavity for molding the container delimited at least by a first shell attached to a first mold carrier and by a second shell attached to a second mold carrier that is movable relative to the first mold carrier between an open position and a closed position, the first mold carrier comprising a control member for controlling the locking finger and the second mold carrier comprising a locking opening, the locking finger comprising an interface for mechanical coupling to the control member, and a locking portion designed to cooperate with the locking opening in the closed position. The molding unit is a subassembly of a plurality of mechanical parts assembled together rigidly, including a main body of the finger comprising the mechanical coupling interface, and said locking portion, which is a main sleeve made from anti-friction material assembled on the main body.

An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary molding machine that can be easily manufactured.

The present invention provides a rotary molding machine comprising: first and second molds; a camshaft; and a cam track member, wherein the first and second molds and the camshaft are configured to rotate around a revolving axis, the cam track member has a cam track, the camshaft is configured to move along the cam track as the first and second molds and the camshaft rotates, the first and second molds are configured to open and close as the camshaft moves, and an angle between a first axial direction and a second axial direction is 45 degrees or less, the first axial direction is a longitudinal direction of the camshaft when the first and second molds are closed, the second axial direction is the longitudinal direction of the camshaft when the first and second molds are most opened.

An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary molding machine that can be easily manufactured.

The present invention provides a rotary molding machine comprising: first and second molds; a camshaft; and a cam track member, wherein the first and second molds and the camshaft are configured to rotate around a revolving axis, the cam track member has a cam track, the camshaft is configured to move along the cam track as the first and second molds and the camshaft rotates, the first and second molds are configured to open and close as the camshaft moves, and an angle between a first axial direction and a second axial direction is 45 degrees or less, the first axial direction is a longitudinal direction of the camshaft when the first and second molds are closed, the second axial direction is the longitudinal direction of the camshaft when the first and second molds are most opened.

A modular system for blow molding a container. The system may include a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion and second portion may each include a shell, a mold removably coupled to the shell, and a top plate. The third portion may include a base and a base mold. The molds may be 3D printed. The molds together may define a blow mold cavity. The modular system may be used at lab scale, pilot scale, or full production scale. The molds may be durable and smooth enough for full production scale. Some embodiments are directed to methods for making a modular system for blow molding a container.