A locking finger for a molding unit, the molding unit comprising a cavity for molding the container that is at least defined by a first shell fixed on a first mold holder and by a second shell fixed on a second mold holder that can move relative to the first mold holder between an open position and a closed position, the first mold holder comprising a component for controlling the locking finger and the second mold holder comprising a locking opening, the locking finger including an interface for mechanically coupling to the control component, and a locking portion designed to engage with the locking opening in the closed position. The locking portion comprises an anti-friction composite material.

A locking finger for a molding unit, the molding unit comprising a cavity for molding the container that is at least defined by a first shell fixed on a first mold holder and by a second shell fixed on a second mold holder that can move relative to the first mold holder between an open position and a closed position, the first mold holder comprising a component for controlling the locking finger and the second mold holder comprising a locking opening, the locking finger including an interface for mechanically coupling to the control component, and a locking portion designed to engage with the locking opening in the closed position. The locking portion comprises an anti-friction composite material.

The invention relates to a method for producing a container from a thermoplastic parison, the container being produced from the parison with the aid of a fluid, either by blow molding and subsequent filling with a fluid that is in particular liquid, or being produced by hydroforming and subsequently containing the liquid fluid as contents, and, during the blow-molding process and/or when receiving the in particular liquid fluid, the container revolves about and is spaced apart from an axis of rotation extending, in particular, vertically, in a mold that can be opened. According to the invention, the closed mold adopts, at least temporarily, an inclined position, i.e. that deviates from a perpendicular position.

A blow molding mold unit comprising: a plurality of blow molds each including: a pair of split molds forming a plurality of cavities arranged in a row in a first direction, a plurality of bottom molds respectively corresponding to the cavities, and a bottom mold fixing plate to which the plurality of bottom molds are fixed, the plurality of blow molds being arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, first fixing members holding split molds that are arranged at both end positions in the second direction, the first fixing members being fixed to a mold clamping plate, second fixing members arranged between the first fixing members, and to which split molds other than the split molds fixed to the first fixing members are fixed, a push-up rod disposed below the bottom mold fixing plate, and a push-up member configured to be coupled to a lifting device and extending along the second direction below the second fixing members, the push-up member being configured to push up, via the push-up rod, the bottom mold fixing plate to lift the plurality of bottom molds arranged in the second direction.

A molding apparatus provided with a transfer capable of transferring a heavy-weight mold clamping device. The molding apparatus that molds a molded product, includes: a mold clamping device clamping a parison extruded from an extruder to obtain a molded body, a transfer rail to support the mold clamping device in a transferable manner, and an electric cylinder to transfer the mold clamping device along the transfer rail. The mold clamping device includes first and second platens for holding a die, and a clamping drive unit for driving the first and second platens closer to or separated from each other, the electric cylinder includes a motor having an output shaft and a feed screw mechanism that converts the rotary motion of the output shaft into a linear motion.

A molding apparatus provided with a transfer capable of transferring a heavy-weight mold clamping device. The molding apparatus that molds a molded product, includes: a mold clamping device clamping a parison extruded from an extruder to obtain a molded body, a transfer rail to support the mold clamping device in a transferable manner, and an electric cylinder to transfer the mold clamping device along the transfer rail. The mold clamping device includes first and second platens for holding a die, and a clamping drive unit for driving the first and second platens closer to or separated from each other, the electric cylinder includes a motor having an output shaft and a feed screw mechanism that converts the rotary motion of the output shaft into a linear motion.

The present application provides: first base members that respectively hold split molds disposed at both ends in a second direction, and are fixed to a mold clamping plate; second base members disposed between the first base members and having the split molds other than the split molds fixed to the first base members fixed thereto; and coupling members that couple the first base members and the second base members in a state that allows each of the pair of split molds to come into contact or separate. The present invention is configured such that the plurality of second base members follow the movement of the first base members.

The present application provides: first base members that respectively hold split molds disposed at both ends in a second direction, and are fixed to a mold clamping plate; second base members disposed between the first base members and having the split molds other than the split molds fixed to the first base members fixed thereto; and coupling members that couple the first base members and the second base members in a state that allows each of the pair of split molds to come into contact or separate. The present invention is configured such that the plurality of second base members follow the movement of the first base members.

A machine and method for forming containers from preforms. The machine includes a mold loading station for loading successive preforms into successive molds, each mold forming a mold cavity having the shape of the container to be produced. The machine also including a forming station for forming the containers by injecting a gaseous or liquid fluid into the preform contained in each mold in order to expand the preform such that each preform acquires the shape of the container defined by the mold cavity. In the machine, the mold loading station and the forming station are distinct from each other, and the machine further includes a transferring station arranged between the mold loading station and the forming station for transferring the successive molds containing the preforms from the mold loading station to the forming station.

In one embodiment, a system for conditioning a preform for molding includes a heating cavity for receiving the preform, a heater configured to heat a gas, and a blower configured to force the gas heated by the heater into the heating cavity. In another embodiment, a method of conditioning a preform for molding includes positioning the preform in a heating cavity and forcing a heated gas into the heating cavity onto an exterior surface of the preform.