A method for the production of blow-molded containers that are sterile at least in certain regions, and a blow-molding machine configured to carry out the method. In accordance with the method, blowing stations are arranged on a rotating blowing wheel. A preform of a thermoplastic material is first heated and then stretched in a blowing station by a stretching rod and subjected to a pressurized blowing fluid via a blowing nozzle. A sterilizing fluid is supplied to the preform in the blowing station to perform a sterilization. The sterilizing fluid is fed into the preform from an outlet and is carried away again via an inlet and in between follows a flow path. The sterilizing fluid is made to pass through or pass by the stretching rod on its flow path, and the sterilizing fluid is supplied while the blow-molding machine continues to operate.

Disclosed is a method for forming blanks made from plastic material into containers, the method including steps of blowing into the blanks in such a way as to form them into containers, then internally degassing the formed containers. In the method, the steps are carried out according to a first cycle at a first rate. Then, during a second subsequent cycle of steps carried out at a second rate slower than the first rate, a time delay is added with respect to the first cycle, during or after degassing, such that the second cycle lasts longer than the first.

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 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 method for inspecting a device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, the device having a transport unit, at which a plurality of forming stations for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers is arranged, and an inspection unit that is arranged after the forming stations in a transport direction of the plastic containers and that determines a wall thickness of these plastic containers in at least one region of the plastic containers produced, includes the following steps: introducing at least one test container that has a predetermined and/or known wall thickness a least in sections, and determining a first wall thickness in at least one area of the container by the inspection unit.

A method for inspecting a device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, the device having a transport unit, at which a plurality of forming stations for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers is arranged, and an inspection unit that is arranged after the forming stations in a transport direction of the plastic containers and that determines a wall thickness of these plastic containers in at least one region of the plastic containers produced, includes the following steps: introducing at least one test container that has a predetermined and/or known wall thickness a least in sections, and determining a first wall thickness in at least one area of the container by the inspection unit.

Disclosed is a container treatment apparatus and treatment method, in particular a container sterilisation apparatus, having a plurality of transport devices for transporting a container along a predetermined transport path, at least one of the transport devices having at least one holding device for holding at least one container during container treatment and/or transport along the transport path, the transport device having a rotatable carrier and a plurality of holding elements arranged on this carrier, wherein a holding element in a first sector, in which a container is received, having a height with respect to a perpendicular projection of the transport path which is different from that in a second sector in which a container is dispensed, and wherein a sector in which an at least partial compensation of the height difference of the holding elements takes place lies along a direction of rotation of the carrier after the second sector and before the first sector.

A method for carrying out a changeover process in a system for producing beverage containers is provided. This system in operation produces plastic containers from plastic parisons by a transforming device and these produced containers are transported to a filling device and the containers are filled with a liquid and in particular a beverage, wherein the liquid is introduced into the container at a temperature of over 50° C., wherein at least the transforming device and the filling device are at least intermittently in data communication with one another and for carrying out the changeover process of at least the transforming device or the filling device a value is output and/or used which is characteristic for a changeover status of this transforming device or this filling device.

Apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers includes a transport device for transporting the plastic preforms, wherein the transport device has a movable carrier on which a plurality of forming stations are arranged, wherein the forming stations each form a cavity having forming moulds configured to receive plastic preforms which are formable into plastic containers within this cavity when acted upon by a flowable medium and expanded. The forming stations further includes an applicator which acts upon the plastic preforms with the flowable medium, and at least one connecting line configured to guide the flowable medium to the applicator. The apparatus also has a sterilization device, whereby at least a section of this connecting line can be at least temporarily pressurized with a sterilization medium.

Apparatus for producing plastic containers has a heating device having a transport device for transporting the plastic preforms singly along a predefined transport path. The transport device has a plurality of holding devices for holding the plastic preforms, and at least one heating unit for heating the plastic preforms, wherein furthermore a rotating device is provided which rotates the plastic preforms held by the holding devices and is connected to a forming device, which transforms the plastic preforms transported by the heating device into plastic containers. The apparatus has an alignment device which enables alignment of the rotational position of the plastic preforms with respect to their longitudinal direction relative to the holding devices holding these plastic preforms and/or the apparatus has a rotational position alignment device arranged along the transport path which enables alignment of a rotational position of the holding devices with the plastic preforms arranged thereon.