Method for changeover of a blow molding machine

Abstract

A method for changeover of a blow molding machine. The blow molding machine has a plurality of blow mold holders and each blow mold holder includes a respective first blow mold with a respective first plurality of parts. The method includes: automatically opening a blow mold holder from the plurality of blow mold holders; removing the respective first blow mold from the blow mold holder; replacing the respective first blow mold with a second blow mold different from the respective first blow mold; and automatically closing the blow mold holder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for changeover of a blow molding machine, wherein the blow molding machine has a plurality of blow mold holders and wherein each blow mold holder includes a respective first blow mold with a respective first plurality of parts, comprising:
 automatically opening a blow mold holder from the plurality of blow mold holders;   removing the respective first blow mold from the blow mold holder;   replacing the respective first blow mold with a second blow mold different from the respective first blow mold; and   automatically closing the blow mold holder.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the blow mold holder includes a cam follower; and,   automatically opening the blow mold holder includes using a cam element in cooperation with the cam follower; or   automatically closing the blow mold holder includes using a cam element in cooperation with the cam follower.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the respective first plurality of parts includes a first locking device;   the second blow mold includes a second plurality of parts with a second locking device;   removing the respective first blow mold includes releasing the first locking device and removing the respective first plurality of parts from the blow mold holder; and,   replacing the respective first blow mold includes inserting the second plurality of parts and closing the second locking device.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plurality of blow mold holders is arranged at a transport device which moves said plurality of blow mold holders; and,   the transport device has a shape of a wheel and the plurality of blow mold holders is arranged at a periphery of the wheel.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the changeover is carried out in a working area which is situated in the periphery of the blow molding machine and at a position which does not overlap with an output position and a transfer point. 
     
     
         6 . A method for changeover of a blow molding machine, wherein the blow molding machine has a plurality of blow mold holders and wherein each blow mold holder includes a respective first blow mold including a respective plurality of parts, comprising:
 automatically opening a blow mold holder from the plurality of blow mold holders before the blow mold holder arrives at a working area at which the respective first blow molds are exchanged;   removing the respective first blow mold from the blow mold holder;   replacing the respective first blow mold with a second blow mold different from the respective first blow mold; and,   automatically closing the blow mold holder.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the blow mold holder includes a cam follower; and,   automatically opening and closing the blow mold holder includes using a cam element in cooperation with the cam follower.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the respective first plurality of parts includes a first locking device;   the second blow mold includes a second plurality of parts with a second locking device;   removing the respective first blow mold comprises releasing the first locking device and removing the respective first plurality of parts from the blow mold holder; and,   replacing the respective first blow mold comprises inserting the second plurality of parts and closing the second locking device.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the plurality of blow mold holders is arranged at a transport device which moves said blow mold holders; and,   the transport device has a shape of a wheel and the plurality of blow mold holders is arranged at a periphery of the wheel.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the changeover is carried out in a working area which is situated in the periphery of the blow molding machine and at a position which does not overlap with an output position and a transfer point. 
     
     
         11 . A method for changeover of a blow molding machine, wherein the blow molding machine has a plurality of blow mold holders and wherein each blow mold holder includes a respective cam follower and a respective first blow mold including a respective plurality of parts, comprising:
 automatically opening a blow mold holder from the plurality of blow mold holders using a cam element in cooperation with the respective cam follower for the blow mold holder;   removing the respective first blow mold from the blow mold holder;   replacing the respective first blow mold with a second blow mold different from the respective first blow mold; and,   automatically closing the blow mold holder using the cam element in cooperation with the respective cam follower of the blow mold holder.   
     
     
         12 . A method for changeover of a blow molding machine, wherein the blow molding machine has a plurality of blow mold holders and wherein a blow mold holder from the plurality of blow mold holders includes a first blow mold including a plurality of parts, comprising:
 automatically opening the blow mold holder using a cam element;   removing the first blow mold from the blow mold holder;   replacing the first blow mold with a second blow mold different from the first blow mold; and,   automatically closing the blow mold holder using the cam element.