UNIVERSAL SINGLE-ROW AND MULTI-ROW INSERT STRETCH BLOW MOLDING METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

In a single-row and expandable into a multi-row stretch blow molding method and apparatus, a robot (28) having a universal gripper assembly (27) is used to pick up molded preforms (89) during the clamp opening stroke of a preform-molding unit (12) and then transfer the preforms at variable time intervals to a conditioning unit (32), a stretch blow molding unit (40) and a discharge unit (58), releases finished hollow articles (86) and returns to a waiting position at the preform-molding unit (12) independent of the preform-molding cycle. Simultaneously, component transfer devices pick up external components (92), i.e., labels, valves or handles during the stretch blow molding phase and release the components into the blow mold cavities while the universal gripper assembly (27) is in the waiting position. The universal gripper assembly (27) can alternatively also be pivoted to pick up preforms (89) from a lateral reheat unit to supplement the molded preform supply.