The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing stretching means (12) of a container moulding device (10) fitted to a plant for manufacturing thermoplastic containers obtained by stretch-blow-moulding from production preforms, the said method for sterilizing the stretching means (12) comprises at least the steps consisting in: —introducing a determined quantity of a sterilizing agent into a sterilization preform (30), —during a step referred to as a conversion step, converting said sterilization preform (30) into a hollow body (50) by stretching—blowing into the said moulding device (10), said introduction of the sterilizing agent being performed in the vapour state in a sterilization preform (30) at a temperature that allows a uniform film of mist to be deposited by condensation onto an internal surface (32) of said sterilization preform (30), and in that at least two sterilization preforms (30) are then converted successively into hollow bodies (50) in the one same moulding device (10).

Provided is a method for treating plastic preforms, wherein the plastic preforms are transported in a row by a feed transport device and are separated by a separating device, wherein the separating device has a carrier which is rotatable with respect to a predetermined axis of rotation and has on its outer circumference a plurality of recesses for receiving the plastic preforms in a takeover area and which are equidistant from one another in a circumferential direction of the carrier, wherein the separating device transporting the plastic preforms separately along a predetermined transport path section, and wherein the separating device transferring the plastic preforms in a transfer area to a further transport device which transports the plastic preforms further at a predetermined transport speed. During a start-up process, the separating device increases a transport speed at which it conveys the plastic preforms from the takeover area to the transfer area.

Apparatus for heating plastic preforms with a transport device which transports the plastic preforms during their heating along a predetermined transport path, with a first feed transport device which directly transfers the plastic preforms to the transport device in a transfer region, wherein this first feed transport device having a carrier which can be rotated with respect to an axis of rotation and has a plurality of holding devices which hold the plastic preforms, wherein each of these holding devices is in each case assigned an application device, wherein these application devices being arranged on a carrier which can be rotated about an axis of rotation.

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.

The invention concerns a device for handling preforms for heating units. The device includes a mandrel that defines a rotation axis of the preforms; a tip mounted at an end of the mandrel and having a part penetrating into the neck of the preforms; a rubbing contact rigidly connected to the tip; and a heatsink rigidly connected to the mandrel and intended to come into contact with the tip. The tip also includes a cooling part axially in line with the penetrating part. The cooling part includes at least one thermal exchange raised portion in contact with the surrounding air. Furthermore, the tip is mounted such that it can be mobile on the mandrel.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a production facility of a series of containers from a series of preforms made of plastic materials. The method includes a first step of producing a preliminary series of individual containers from a preliminary series of preforms made of plastic materials. For each individual container produced during a tracking period, the method records (i) a marking that distinguishes said container other containers produced during said tracking period, and (ii) data relative to the production facility, its operation, and/or the preform or container. The method also includes a second step during which one or more physical values of each of the individually identified containers are measured during the first step, and a third step of compiling a database that matches, for each individually identified container, the measurement(s) of the second step, and the series of data acquired during the first step.

The invention is generally directed to sports bottles and other articles produced by blow molding from polymeric materials containing isosorbide having glass transition temperatures ranging from 90° C. to 130° C., as well as to processes for producing them. These articles can be exposed to water at high temperatures and can be produced by using a suitable combination of a stretch ratio of less than 3× and a preform temperature at least 20° C. greater than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymeric material.

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.

To provide a method and an apparatus for sterilizing a preform that can reduce the amount of the remaining hydrogen peroxide in sterilization of a preform, a sterilizer at least containing 30% by mass or less of hydrogen peroxide and a solvent having a boiling point of 85° C. or lower is gasified, the sterilizer gas is blasted to the preform, and the preform to which the sterilizer has been blasted is heated to a temperature suitable for molding by blasting hot air or without blasting hot air. Alternatively, after the preform is irradiated with light containing ultraviolet rays, the sterilizer gas is blasted to the preform, and the preform is heated to a temperature suitable for molding.

A method of manufacturing a pressure vessel that includes heating a preform formed of a thermoplastic polymer, inserting a blow pin assembly that includes a bung portion and a plunger portion into an opening of the heated preform, clamping the heated preform between the bung portion and sections of a blow mold, extending the plunger portion into an interior of the heated preform to stretch the heated preform in the blow mold, and blowing air into the stretched preform under pressure to form the pressure vessel such that: (a) the pressure vessel includes a tank having a neck portion, a cylindrical body portion having a diameter of at least about 200 mm, and a bottom portion, (b) at least the thermoplastic polymer in the cylindrical body portion is biaxially oriented, and (c) threads are formed in the neck portion. Also a pressure vessel formed in accordance with the method.