An arrangement is described. The arrangement comprises a closing unit for a blow-molding machine having a first and second mold carrier and a blow-molding tool arranged on the closing unit having two tool halves. A mold lower part of each tool half is movable in relation to the mold upper part of each tool half in a second movement direction different from the first movement direction back and forth between an open state and a closed state by means of at least one first or at least one second actuator and the blow-molding tool in the closed state of the two tool halves delimits a mold cavity having undercuts when the two mold lower parts are also in the closed state. The actuators, for example hydraulic cylinders, may arranged on the closing unit and make them able to be coupled to the mold lower part.

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 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 method for forming containers from preforms. The method includes loading successive preforms into successive molds at a mold loading station, each mold having a mold cavity in the shape of the containers to be produced. The containers being formed in a forming station by injecting a gaseous or liquid fluid into the preform in order to expand the preform and acquires the shape of the container defined by the mold cavity. The steps performed at the mold loading station and the forming station are distinct from each other, and a transferring step occurs at a transferring station arranged between the mold loading station and the forming station where successive molds containing the preforms are transferred from the mold loading station to the forming station.

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 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.

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 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.

An apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, including a rotatable carrier on which a plurality of forming stations for forming the plastic preforms into plastic containers are arranged. The forming stations each have application devices for applying a flowable medium to expand the plastic preforms. The forming stations each have blow mold carriers on which blow molds are arranged, within which the plastic preforms are formed into plastic containers. A first movement mechanism is provided for opening and/or closing the blow molds, and wherein a locking mechanism is provided for locking the blow molds together at least temporarily during the expansion process. The apparatus has at least one sensor device which detects a locking state of the locking mechanism of at least one forming station and which outputs at least one signal which is characteristic of said locking state.

Disclosed is a locking device for a molding unit for containers of thermoplastic material. The device includes a lock with at least one locking pin, the at least one locking pin being made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and advantageously has at least one metal insert.