A continuously rotating, non-symmetric preform feed, stretch-blow-moulding machine dedicated to the stretch-blow-moulding of containers from non-symmetric injection moulded preforms; the non-symmetric preforms including an integral handle extending from a first junction point to a second junction point on a body of the preform; the body of the preform and the integral handle constituted from the same material.

A feed device for a conveyor system for preforms which transports the preforms coming in an ordered manner from an upstream module of the conveyor system to a downstream module of the conveyor system in which the preforms are separated into singles, wherein the feed device has at least two oppositely arranged transport rails, on which the preforms rest in each case with a support ring. The feed device additionally includes at least two oppositely arranged belt transport units which preferably engage with a threaded portion of the preforms and transport them in a transport direction to the downstream module of the conveyor system, wherein the belt transport units each have a drive which applies a torque to the preforms accumulated in front of the downstream module, which torque the individual preforms are able to be transferred in a more reliable manner from the feed device into the downstream module.

A stretch-blow molded plastic container includes a container body. A container neck, adjoins the container body via a shoulder region and has a container opening. The container body and the container neck are mutually separated by a support ring, which substantially radially protrudes, runs circumferentially in at least some regions and which has a support ring underside. The shoulder region has a first shoulder section, which runs in immediate proximity to the support ring underside, and a second shoulder support, which is integrally connected to the first shoulder support and which substantially radially adjoins the support ring. In a stretch-blow molding method a support ring of a preform, which is placed into a mold cavity of a blow molding tool, is overblown during radial and axial stretching of the preform.

A device and method for aligning preforms in a row and righting same, the method being intended for use with axisymmetric preforms having an annular supporting face. The method includes a first step of discharging the preforms in bulk onto a rotating horizontal platen; a second step of aligning the preforms against a fixed peripheral rail by way of the centrifugal force produced by the rotation of the rotating platen; a third step of successively righting the aligned preforms by tilting the preform bodies, performed under the annular supporting face. During the second alignment step, the main axis of the preforms is oriented essentially tangentially to the direction of movement.

A feed device (1) for a conveyor system (10) for preforms (4) is described, which is designed to convey preforms (4) coming in an orderly manner from an upstream module (109) of the conveyor system (10) to a downstream module (1011) of the conveyor system (10), the feed device (1) comprising a first and a second conveyor belt (11; 12), wherein a conveying path for the preforms (4) is formed between a first belt section of the first conveyor belt (11) and a second belt section of the second conveyor belt (12), wherein the first and second conveyor belts (11; 12) are arranged in such a way that a lateral edge surface (110) of the first conveyor belt (11) and a lateral edge surface (120) of the second conveyor belt (12) form a support for a supporting ring (41) of a preform (4), wherein the support can be brought into engagement with the underside of the supporting ring (41) in such a way that an accumulation force is applied in the conveying direction (F) to the preform (4) located in the conveying path.

A continuous non-symmetric preform feed stretch-blow-moulding machine dedicated to the stretch-blow-moulding of containers from non-symmetric injection moulded preforms; the non-symmetrical preforms including an integral handle extending from a first junction point to a second junction point on a body of the preform; the body of the preform and the integral handle constituted from the same material.

A feed device for a conveyor system for preforms which transports the preforms coming in an ordered manner from an upstream module of the conveyor system to a downstream module of the conveyor system in which the preforms are separated into singles, wherein the feed device has at least two oppositely arranged transport rails, on which the preforms rest in each case with a support ring. The feed device additionally includes at least two oppositely arranged belt transport units which preferably engage with a threaded portion of the preforms and transport them in a transport direction to the downstream module of the conveyor system, wherein the belt transport units each have a drive which applies a torque to the preforms accumulated in front of the downstream module, which torque the individual preforms are able to be transferred in a more reliable manner from the feed device into the downstream module.

A blow moulding machine for blow moulding a container having an integrally formed handle; said container blow moulded from a previously injection moulded preform; said preform comprising a body portion and said integrally formed handle; said machine including a preform loading station at which said preform is oriented by a preform orienting apparatus.

A transport apparatus comprises: transport means 150 which is equipped with transport members 152 for holding preforms 200 to be rotatable in a horizontal direction and transports the transport members 152 along a transport line 151; and positioning means 300 for aligning the preforms 200 in a predetermined direction. The transport members 152 include regulation members for regulating the rotation of the preforms 200 aligned in the predetermined, direction by the positioning means 300.

Disclosed is a maintenance method for an installation for production of containers from blanks made of plastic material, which includes: a blow-molding machine including a rotating carousel and a plurality of forming stations, each including a mold; a primary power unit connected to the carousel; a transfer device suitable for inserting a blank into a mold or for withdrawing a container therefrom; and a secondary power unit connected to the transfer device. The method includes the detection of a misalignment of the transfer device with the carousel, and, therefore, operations for desynchronization of the power units, for realigning and then for resynchronization of the transfer device and of the carousel.