Support device for supporting at least one neck mold of a container in an injection blow molding machine

Abstract

A supporting device (3) for supporting at least one neck mold (4) of a plastic container, the device being suitable for being fastened to the lower surface of a rotating device (2) of an injection blow molding machine, the supporting device comprising: a pair of plates (5) defining a longitudinal axis (X), the plates (5) being adjacent to each other along the axis (X) and being separable from each other in a direction transverse to the axis (X) and being kept adjacent in a normally closed state by elastic means (6); wherein each plate (5) is provided with at least one corresponding recess, which is positioned so that when the plates (5) of the pair of plates are in the normally closed state, at least two recesses are adjacent to each other along the longitudinal axis (X), from The invention relates to a seat of a neck mold (4) comprising a pair of split molds (7), each of which can be accommodated in a recess of a corresponding plate (5); a pair of side guides (8) which are transverse to the longitudinal axis (X) and are suitable for being fastened to the lower surface of the rotating device (2), each side guide (8) being suitable for supporting the corresponding end of a pair of plates (5) from the bottom; wherein the side guides (8) are provided with corresponding locking systems (9) for locking the pair of plates (5) to the pair of side guides (8) or unlocking them therefrom), so that in the unlocked position, the pair of plates (5) can be pulled out transversely to the axis (X) of the plates by sliding on the side guides (8).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a support device for supporting at least one neck mold of a plastic container at the lower surface of a rotating device of an injection blow molding machine. Such a machine comprises at least two neck mold support devices removably fastened to the lower surface of the rotating device.

[0002] The rotary apparatus is adapted to rotate in an intermittent manner to deliver each supporting device in sequence at a first station for injection molding preforms and at a second station for blow molding containers from said preforms. Background Art

[0003] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An injection blow molding machine of known type is shown.

[0004] The supporting means 3 of the neck mould 4 are removably fastened to the lower surface of the rotating device 2, and each supporting means comprises:

[0005] a pair of plates 5 (split plates) defining a longitudinal axis X, adjacent along the axis X and separable from one another in a direction transverse to said axis X and maintained adjacent along the axis X in a normally closed state by means of elastic means 6;

[0006] - neck moulds 4, each of which comprises a pair of split moulds 7, each split mould 7 of the pair of split moulds being housed in an opening of a corresponding plate 5 of the pair of plates, whereby the split moulds 7 of each pair of split moulds are adjacent to each other along the axis X when the plates 5 of the pair of plates are in the normally closed state;

[0007] - A pair of lateral guides 8 transverse to said axis X, which are screwed to the lower surface of the rotary device 2 , each supporting a respective end of the pair of plates 5 from the bottom.

[0008] - Centering pins 30 arranged vertically and protruding from the lower surface of the rotating device 2 , fastened to the rotating device 2 , to center the pair of plates 5 relative to the lateral guides 8 . In particular, the centering pins 30 are provided at each lateral guide 8 .

[0009] The pair of plates 5 provided with the neck moulds 4 and also referred to as lip-holder bars are inserted from the bottom so that the fixed centering pins 30 are received in the corresponding end holes of the pair of plates.

[0010] In particular, each port hole is defined by a combination of two recesses, each recess being formed in a respective plate 5 of the pair of plates.

[0011] Thus, when the two plates 5 are held adjacent to one another along the axis X in their normally closed state, the two recesses in each end of the pair of plates 5 define a respective terminal hole.

[0012] Disadvantageously, in order to assemble a pair of plates on a rotating device, a first operator is required to lift the pair of plates 5 and center the end holes on the centering pins 30 .

[0013] While the first operator holds the pair of plates 5 on the centering pins 30 , the second operator first tightens the fastening screws to fasten the first side guide to the rotating device 2 , and then tightens the fastening screws to fasten the second side guide also to the rotating device 2 .

[0014] It is also disadvantageous that, if a pair of plates 5 is to be replaced, a first operator is required to manually support the pair of plates 5 while a second operator unscrews the fastening screws of the two side guides 8 .

[0015] Once the second operator has disassembled the lateral guides 8 from the rotating device 2 , the first operator can remove the pair of plates 5 by vertically lowering them to release them from the centering pins 30 .

[0016] Considering that a pair of plates 5 may weigh up to about 30 kilograms, two operators are required to lock, unlock and remove the pair of plates 5 to the rotating device.

[0017] Furthermore, these operations take a very long time.

[0018] It takes at least ten minutes and two operators to replace only one pair of plates on a rotary device. In addition to maintenance operations, this replacement is also necessary when a change of form of the neck of the container to be produced is to be performed.

[0019] There is therefore a need to make a support device for a neck mould in an injection blow moulding machine which allows the aforementioned drawbacks to be overcome. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The main purpose of the present invention is to make a supporting device for supporting at least one neck mold of a plastic container, which is particularly suitable for a rotary device of an injection blow molding machine, which allows simpler and faster replacement of pairs of plates or lip retaining bars of the rotary device.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to make a support device in which, in some embodiments, it is no longer necessary to use external tools to disassemble and assemble the pairs of panels.

[0023] The present invention therefore proposes to achieve at least one of the above-mentioned objects by making a supporting device for supporting at least one neck mold of a container made of plastic material, which device is suitable for being fastened to the lower surface of a rotary device of a machine for injection-blow molding of plastic containers,

[0024] The supporting device comprises:

[0025] - a pair of plates defining a longitudinal axis X, said plates being adjacent to each other along said longitudinal axis X and being separable from each other in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis X and being kept adjacent in a normally closed state by means of elastic means; wherein each plate is provided with at least one respective undercut, said undercuts being positioned such that when a plate of said pair is in the normally closed state, at least two undercuts are adjacent to each other along said longitudinal axis X, thereby defining a seat for a neck mould comprising a pair of split moulds, each split mould being receivable in an undercut of a respective plate;

[0026] - a pair of lateral guides, transverse to said longitudinal axis X, suitable for being fastened to said lower surface of the rotating device, each lateral guide being suitable for supporting from the bottom a respective end of the pair of plates;

[0027] The side guides are provided with corresponding locking systems for locking or unlocking the pair of plates to or from the side guides, so that in the unlocked position the pair of plates can be extracted transversely to the longitudinal axis X of the pair of plates by sliding on the side guides.

[0028] Another aspect of the invention relates to an injection blow molding machine for plastic containers, the machine comprising:

[0029] -Fixed base plate;

[0030] - a rotating device arranged below the fixed base plate and movably supported by the fixed base plate,

[0031] - at least two supporting means, as described above, removably fastened to the lower surface of said rotating device;

[0032] wherein the rotary apparatus is adapted to rotate in an intermittent manner to sequentially deliver each support device at a first station for injection molding plastic preforms and at a second station for blow molding containers from said preforms;

[0033] Each supporting device includes at least one neck mold, which includes a pair of split molds, each of which is accommodated in the side recess of the corresponding plate of the pair of plates, so that when the plates of the pair of plates are in a normally closed state, the split molds are adjacent to each other along the axis X.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for replacing a pair of plates from a support device of the aforementioned injection blow molding machine, the method comprising the steps of:

[0035] a) unlocking the pair of plates from the corresponding lateral guides by means of corresponding locking systems;

[0036] b) extracting the pair of plates transversely to their longitudinal axis X by sliding them on lateral guides;

[0037] c) inserting the new pair of plates transversely to its longitudinal axis X by sliding it on the lateral guides;

[0038] d) locking the new pair of plates to the corresponding side guides by means of a corresponding locking system;

[0039] Preferably, wherein, in step b), the extraction is accomplished by also sliding the pair of plates on respective lateral extraction guides, each lateral extraction guide being fastened to the fixed base plate and aligned with the corresponding lateral guide;

[0040] And preferably, wherein, in step c), the insertion of the new pair of plates is produced by first sliding the new pair of plates on the side extraction guides and then on the corresponding side guides.

[0041] Advantageously, in order to remove a pair of plates or lip retaining bars, operating the quick coupling device arranged at each side guide of the pair of plates, or simply unscrewing a fastening screw at each side guide, is sufficient to allow the locking pin to disengage from the end recesses of the pair of plates in the normally closed state of the pair of plates, each end recess being defined by two end half-recesses, each end half-recess being provided in the end of a corresponding plate of the pair of longitudinal plates.

[0042] At this time, the lip retaining rod can be removed by sliding it along the fixed side guide toward the outside of the machine, and the fixed side guide does not need to be unscrewed from the rotating device.

[0043] Advantageously, in some embodiments of the invention, there is no need to use external tools to disassemble and assemble the pairs of panels, as there is an extremely simple assembly and disassembly system.

[0044] The machine of the invention allows the replacement time of each pair of plates or each lip retaining bar to be reduced to approximately two minutes, while only requiring the use of one operator.

[0045] Another advantage of the solution of the invention is that it can also be easily applied on existing machines, because:

[0046] - No additional work on the rotating equipment is required, but existing holes can be used;

[0047] - No architectural modifications to existing lip retaining bars may be required.

[0048] The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of an injection blow molding machine which is partially disclosed by way of illustration and non-limiting manner, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0051] Figure 1 A perspective view showing an example of a portion of a background art machine;

[0052] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A perspective cutaway view of a portion of a machine;

[0053] Figure 3 A perspective view showing a rotating device of a machine according to the invention;

[0054] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 a first partially exploded perspective view of a first variant of a portion of the device of the invention in a machine;

[0055] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 a second perspective view of a first variation of ;

[0056] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 a perspective view of some of the components shown;

[0057] Figure 7a and Figure 7b shows a cross-sectional view of said first variant of a portion of the device of the invention in two corresponding positions;

[0058] Figure 8 A first perspective view showing a second variant of the portion of the device of the invention;

[0059] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 8 A second partially exploded perspective view of a second variation of the invention;

[0060] Fig.10 a first perspective view showing a third variant of the portion of the device of the invention;

[0061] Fig.11 Shows Fig.10 A second partially exploded perspective view of a third variation of FIG.

[0062] Fig.12 and Fig.13 Two perspective views showing a fourth variant of said portion of the device according to the invention;

[0063] Fig.14 and 15 Shows Fig.13 A sectional view of a fourth variation at two corresponding positions;

[0064] Fig.16 a first perspective view showing a fifth variant of the portion of the device according to the invention;

[0065] Fig.17 Shows Fig.16 A second partial exploded perspective view of a fifth variation of the invention;

[0066] Fig.18 a first perspective view showing a sixth variant of the portion of the device according to the invention;

[0067] Fig.19 Shows Fig.18 A second partial exploded perspective view of a sixth variation of FIG.

[0068] Fig. 20 and Fig.21 A perspective view showing two steps of extracting the device of the invention from the rotating device of the forming machine.

[0069] The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same elements or components.

[0070] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0071] refer to Figures 3 to 21 , shows a portion of an injection blow molding machine for making containers made of thermoplastic material (such as PET, PEN or other suitable materials and mixtures thereof).

[0072] exist Figure 3 An injection blow-molding machine for plastic containers, only partially shown in FIG. , comprising:

[0073] -Fixed base plate 1;

[0074] a rotating device 2 arranged below the fixed base plate 1 and movably supported by the fixed base plate 1,

[0075] at least two supporting means 3 , each for supporting at least one neck mould 4 of a plastic container, the supporting means 3 being removably fastened to the lower surface of the rotary device 2 .

[0076] The rotary device 2 (e.g., disc-shaped) is adapted to be rotated in an intermittent manner to transport each support device 3 from one workstation to another. In the case of two support devices 3, the rotary device 2 is rotated in an intermittent manner to move a single support device 3 from an injection molding station for injection molding plastic preforms to a blow molding station for blow molding containers starting from said preforms, and vice versa.

[0077] exist Figure 3 In the example of , four supporting devices 3 are provided. Here, the rotary device 2 rotates in an intermittent manner to move a single supporting device 3 in sequence from a first injection molding station for preforms to a second station for regulating the temperature of the preforms; from the second station to a third blow molding station for containers; and from the third station to a fourth discharge station for containers. In this case, the supporting devices 3, in particular the centers of gravity of the devices, are arranged on the rotary device 2 at an angular distance of 90° from each other.

[0078] The different workstations are not described in this document because they are of known type.

[0079] exist Figure 3 In the example of , each supporting device 3 comprises a pair of longitudinal split plates 5 defining a longitudinal axis X, wherein the plates 5 are kept adjacent to each other along the longitudinal axis X by elastic means 6 in a normally closed state and are separable from each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis X.

[0080] This means that the panels 5 are adjacent to each other along the axis X and are therefore in a closed state if no force is applied for separating or opening the panels 5 transversely, preferably orthogonally, to the axis X. For example, such a separating force can be applied to the respective ends of the pair of panels by means of corresponding wedges inserted between two rollers 60, one for each panel end (in the case of Figure 7b Only one roller 60 is shown).

[0081] The elastic means 6 (not described here because they are known per se) comprise a spring arranged on the outer longitudinal edge of each plate 5 .

[0082] Each plate 5 of the pair of plates (preferably rectangular) is provided with a corresponding substantially semicircular side recess along the inner longitudinal edge, the side recesses being positioned so that when the plates 5 of the pair of plates are in the normally closed state, the side recesses are adjacent to each other two by two, defining a corresponding seat, for example a substantially circular seat, for accommodating the corresponding neck mold 4.

[0083] Each neck mold 4 suitable for molding the neck of the preform comprises a pair of split molds 7, each split mold 7 is housed in a side recess of a corresponding plate 5 of the pair of plates, whereby the two split molds 7 are adjacent to each other along the axis X when the plates 5 of the pair of plates are in a normally closed state. Figure 3 A plurality of neck moulds 4 are provided, for example four. The number of neck moulds 4 may alternatively be less than or more than four.

[0084] Each supporting means 3 also comprises a pair of lateral guides 8 transverse to the longitudinal axis X and fastened to the lower surface of the rotary device 2. Each lateral guide 8 is suitable for supporting from the bottom a respective end of a pair of longitudinal plates 5 by means of shoulders made thereon.

[0085] Advantageously, the lateral guides 8 are provided with corresponding locking systems 9 for locking the pair of plates 5 to the pair of lateral guides 8 or unlocking the pair of plates 5 from the pair of lateral guides 8, so that in the unlocked position the pair of plates 5 can be extracted transversely to the longitudinal axis X of the pair of plates 5 by sliding on the lateral guides 8, in particular by sliding on the horizontal surfaces of the shoulders provided on the lateral guides.

[0086] In all embodiments of the invention, the locking system 9 comprises a base 11 provided at its end with a locking pin 10 protruding from said base and also provided with fastening means 12, 12' for fastening the base 11 to the respective lateral guide 8, said fastening means being adapted to engage in a respective seat 13, 13' arranged on each lateral guide 8. Thus, when the fastening means 12, 12' engage in the seat 13, 13', the locking pin 10 is inserted into an end recess, for example a substantially circular recess defined by a pair of plates 5 in their normally closed state. This end recess is defined by two end semi-recesses 14, for example a substantially semi-circular recess ( Figure 7b and Fig.15 ), each end half recess 14 is provided in the corresponding plate 5 of the pair of plates. In particular, considering the pair of plates, each end half recess 14 is made at the inner corner of the corresponding plate 5.

[0087] The end recess may be in the shape of a cavity or through hole defined by a pair of plates 5 in their normally closed state.

[0088] If the above-mentioned rollers 60 are provided in the normally closed state, corresponding empty areas for accommodating the two rollers 60 are provided at both ends of the pair of plates, which are arranged between the end recesses suitable for accommodating the locking pins 10 and the first pair of side recesses, which define the seat of the neck mold 4.

[0089] Each lateral guide 8 is provided with a housing 20 shaped to receive the base 11 .

[0090] The plates 5 of each pair are equal to one another and are preferably in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the longitudinal extension of which (along the axis X) is greater than both the width and the thickness of the plates.

[0091] A first embodiment of the invention provides that the fastening means are quick coupling devices 12 adapted to engage in corresponding seats 13 provided in the housing or seat 20 of the lateral guide 8. By using this first embodiment, advantageously, no external tools are required to disassemble and assemble the pairs of plates.

[0092] The quick connection device 12 is an alternative to using screws and can be of the quarter-turn type, preferably provided with a knob 17 for its rotation. For example, a one-touch fastening element can be used, which can be a knob lock, button lock, ball lock clamp and magnet lock clamp pin type in addition to the quarter-turn type.

[0093] In this first embodiment, the quick-connect device 12 of the quarter-turn type may include a locking bolt 15, or simply a bolt, which protrudes from the base 11 on the same side as the locking pin 10, and the seat 13 includes an opening 16 ( Figure 7b and Fig.15 ).

[0094] Preferably, the end portion of the bolt 15 is provided with a side protrusion 26, for example, two side protrusions 26 arranged opposite to each other. In this case, the opening 16 has a shape through which the side protrusions 26 of the bolt pass.

[0095] The bolt 15 can be integrally fastened to a knob 17 that protrudes from a side of the base 11 (the side opposite to the side from which the locking pin 10 protrudes) to rotate the quick coupling device 12. If a side protrusion 26 is provided, once the end portion of the bolt 15 has passed through the opening 16, rotating the knob 17 a quarter turn causes the side protrusion 26 to constrain the locking system to the side guide 8, and thus constrain the pair of plates 5 to the side guide 8 by means of the locking pin 10.

[0096] Conversely, the knob 17 is turned 90° and lowered to unlock the pair of plates 5. By pulling the knob 17 downward, the locking pin 10 releases the end recess of the pair of plates 5.

[0097] Preferably, the base 11 has a first portion provided with the quick coupling device 12 which is wider than a second or end portion of the base 11 provided with the locking pin 10 .

[0098] exist Figures 4 to 7b In the first variant of this first embodiment of the invention shown, the base 11 of the locking system 9 is provided with at least two centering pins 18, preferably only two centering pins 18, which are parallel to each other and protrude from the base 11 on the same side as the locking pin 10, arranged on opposite sides relative to the quick coupling device 12 and adapted to be inserted into corresponding holes 19 provided on the housing 20 of the lateral guide 8. Advantageously, the correct centering of the locking pin 10 is determined by the centering pins 18.

[0099] In this first variant, the base 11 has a first portion provided with the quick coupling device 12 and the two centering pins 18 , which is wider relative to a second or end portion of the base 11 provided with the locking pins 10 .

[0100] exist Figure 8 and Fig. 9 In the second variant of said first embodiment of the invention shown, the base 11 of the locking system 9 is provided with only one centering pin 18, which protrudes from the base 11 on the same side as the locking pin 10 and is suitable for being inserted into a corresponding hole 19 provided on the housing 20 of the lateral guide 8. This single centering pin 18 can be aligned with the locking pin 10 and the quick coupling device 12; preferably, the axes of the locking pin 10, the centering pin 18 and the bolt 15 of the quick coupling device 12 lie in a single plane. In particular, as shown, the quick coupling device 12 can be arranged between the centering pin 18 and the locking pin 10.

[0101] In this second variant, the base 11 has a first portion provided with the quick coupling device 12 and the single centering pin 18, which is wider relative to the second or end portion of the base 11 provided with the locking pin 10. Advantageously, as Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, corresponding coupling areas 42, 43 can be provided on the side surface (i.e. in thickness) of the first part of the base 11 and on the corresponding side surface of the housing 20 of the lateral guide 8. These mutually matching coupling areas 42, 43 ensure perfect centering of the locking pin 10 without the second centering pin 18.

[0102] Similar coupling areas 42 , 43 may also be provided on the side surface of the second portion of the base 11 and the corresponding side surface of the housing 20 , respectively.

[0103] exist Figures 12 to 15 In the third variant of said first embodiment of the invention shown, the base 11 of the locking system 9 can slide along at least two guide elements 28 , preferably only two guide elements 28 , which are parallel to each other and fastened to the respective lateral guide 8 .

[0104] Advantageously, these guide elements 28 define a minimum travel of the locking system 9 , and therefore of the base 11 thereof, in order to disengage the locking pin 10 from the end recesses of the pair of longitudinal plates 5 .

[0105] Fig.14 The position in which the quick coupling device 12 is engaged in a seat 13 provided in the housing of the lateral guide 8 and in which the locking pin 10 is inserted into the end recesses of the pair of rods 5 is shown.

[0106] on the contrary, Fig.15 The end-of-stroke position reached by the locking system 9 after the quick-connect device 12 has been disengaged from the seat 13 is shown and allows the locking pin 10 to release the end recess of the pair of rods 5 so that the pair of rods 5 can be extracted laterally by sliding on the shoulders 38 of the lateral guides 8.

[0107] Advantageously, this variant allows the operation of replacing a pair of rods 5 to be facilitated, allowing the locking system 9 to remain constrained to the corresponding lateral guide 8 also in the unlocked position of the plate 5. At the same time, the guide element 28 ensures the correct centering of the locking pin 10.

[0108] Preferably, these guide elements 28 are flange screws or flanged hub screws, fastened to the respective lateral guide piece 8 , in particular in the region housing the base 11 , and passing through respective through holes provided in the base 11 .

[0109] exist Fig.12 and Fig.13 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , these guide elements 28 are arranged at a position between the locking pin 10 and the quick coupling device 12 .

[0110] In this third variant, the base 11 has a first portion provided with the quick coupling device 12 and the through hole for the guide element 28 , which is wider relative to the second or end portion of the base 11 provided with the locking pin 10 .

[0111] like Fig.16 and Fig.17 As shown, the fourth variant of the first embodiment of the present invention is similar to the third variant, except that the two guide elements 28 are arranged laterally at opposite sides of the quick connection device 12 relative to the quick connection device 12 and not in an intermediate position between the locking pin 10 and the quick connection device 12.

[0112] Advantageously, in this fourth variant, elastic means may be provided, which are suitable for promoting the disengagement of the locking system 9 from the pair of longitudinal plates 5, i.e. the disengagement of the locking pin 10 from the end recesses of the pair of longitudinal plates 5. For example, two further guide elements 28' may be provided, which are parallel to each other, provided on opposite sides with respect to the quick coupling device 12, fastened to the base 11 and pass through corresponding through holes 40 of the lateral guides 8. A spring 41, for example a helical spring, is coaxially arranged on the outside of each further guide element 28' and fastened to both the base 11 and the lateral guides 8, whereby the spring 41 is compressed in the locked position of the pair of plates 5 locked to the pair of lateral guides 8, whereas in the unlocking step, the spring 41 promotes the disengagement of the locking pin 10 from the end recesses of the pair of longitudinal plates 5.

[0113] In this fourth variant, the base 11 has a first portion provided with the quick coupling device 12 , the through hole for the guide element 28 and the further guide element 28 ′, which is wider relative to the second or end portion of the base provided with the locking pin 10 .

[0114] A second embodiment of the invention provides that the fastening means are adapted to be screwed into a corresponding seat 13 ′ ( 20 ) provided in the housing or seat of the lateral guide 8 . Fig.11 ) in the screw 12'.

[0115] Preferably, the base 11 of the locking system 9 is provided with a knob 17' which simply holds the system itself when screwing on or off the screw 12'. When a knob 17' is provided, the knob 17' can be fastened to the base 11 so as to protrude from a side of the base 11 (the side opposite to the side from which the locking pin 10 protrudes).

[0116] exist Fig.10 and Fig.11 In the first variant of the second embodiment shown, the base 11 of the locking system 9 is provided with only one centering pin 18, which protrudes from the base 11 on the same side as the locking pin 10 and is suitable for insertion into a corresponding hole (not shown) provided on the housing 20 of the lateral guide 8. This single centering pin 18 can be aligned with the locking pin 10 and the screw 12'; preferably, the axes of the locking pin 10, the centering pin 18 and the screw 12' lie in a single plane. In particular, as shown, the screw 12' can be arranged between the centering pin 18 and the locking pin 10.

[0117] By way of explanation, the knob 17 ′ may be arranged on the base 11 between the screw 12 ′ and the centering pin 18 .

[0118] exist Fig.10 and Fig.11 In this variant, the base 11 may have both a substantially constant thickness and a substantially constant width over its entire longitudinal extension. Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, corresponding coupling areas 42, 43 can be provided on the side surface (i.e. in thickness) of the base 11 and on the corresponding side surface of the housing 20 of the lateral guide 8. These mutually matching coupling areas 42, 43 ensure perfect centering of the locking pin 10 without the second centering pin 18.

[0119] exist Fig.18 and Fig.19 In a second variant of this second embodiment shown, the base 11 of the locking system 9 can slide along at least two guide elements 28 , preferably only two guide elements 28 , which are parallel to each other and fastened to the respective lateral guide 8 .

[0120] Advantageously, these guide elements 28 define the travel of the locking system 9 , and therefore of the base 11 thereof, in order to disengage the locking pin 10 from the end recesses of the pair of longitudinal plates 5 .

[0121] Fig.18 The position is shown in which the screw 12 ′ is screwed into a seat 13 ′ provided in the housing of the lateral guide 8 and in which the locking pin 10 is inserted into an end recess (not shown) of a pair of rods 5 .

[0122] on the contrary, Fig.19 The end-of-travel position reached by the locking system 9 after the screw 12 ′ has been unscrewed from the seat 13 ′ (not shown) is shown, which allows the locking pin 10 to release the end recess of the pair of rods 5 so that the pair of rods 5 can be extracted laterally by sliding on the shoulders 38 of the lateral guides 8 .

[0123] Preferably, these guide elements 28 are flange screws or flanged hub screws, which are fastened to the respective lateral guide 8 , in particular to the region receiving the base 11 , and pass through respective through holes provided in the base 11 .

[0124] By way of explanation, as shown, the two guide elements 28 are arranged laterally relative to the screw 12 ′ at opposite sides of the screw 12 ′ or (variant not shown) in an intermediate position between the locking pin 10 and the screw 12 ′.

[0125] By way of explanation, the knob 17 ′ may be arranged on the base 11 between the screw 12 ′ and the locking pin 10 .

[0126] Advantageously, in this second variant of the second embodiment, elastic means may also be provided, which are suitable for facilitating the disengagement of the locking system 9 from the pair of longitudinal plates 5 , ie the disengagement of the locking pin 10 from the end recesses of the pair of longitudinal plates 5 .

[0127] exist Fig.18 and Fig.19 In this variant, the base 11 can have a first part, which is provided with at least the screw 12' and the through hole for the guide element 28, and which is wider relative to a second part or end part of the base, which is provided with the locking pin 10 and possibly the knob 17'.

[0128] Advantageously, an injection blow-molding machine comprising a support device 3 according to the invention can be provided with at least one pair of side extraction guides 50, such as Fig. 20 and Fig.21 shown.

[0129] These lateral extraction guides 50 are longitudinal guides which can be fastened to the fixed base plate 1 so as to be aligned with the corresponding lateral guides 8 of the corresponding support means 3. Thus, once the pair of plates 5 has been unlocked by means of the locking system 9, the pair of plates 5 can be extracted laterally, sliding first on the lateral guides 8 of the support means 3 and then immediately on the lateral extraction guides 50.

[0130] In a similar manner, the insertion of a new pair of panels 5 can be accomplished by sliding first on the lateral extraction guides 50 , then on the corresponding lateral guides 8 , and then by locking with the aid of the locking pins 10 of the locking system 9 .

[0131] Once the operation of replacing the pair of plates or simply replacing the lip retaining rod is completed, the side extraction guide 50 is removed from the fixed base plate 1. Optionally, a support 44 can be provided on at least one side of the fixed base plate 1, where the side extraction guide 50 can be stored so that it can be quickly obtained when needed. Preferably, the guide 50 is stored in the support 44 with its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to its position when the guide 50 is aligned with the side guide 8. In a variant, as many pairs of side extraction guides 50 as support means 3 are provided, and therefore as many pairs of side guides 8 fastened to the rotating device 2 as support means 3 are provided.

[0132] A method similar to the above method for replacing a pair of plates 5 of a support device 3 of an injection blow molding machine is described below. The method comprises the following steps:

[0133] a) unlocking the pair of plates 5 from the corresponding lateral guides 8 by means of the corresponding locking systems 9;

[0134] b) extracting the pair of plates 5 transversely to the longitudinal axis X of the pair of plates 5 by sliding the pair of plates 5 on the lateral guides 8;

[0135] c) inserting the new pair of plates 5 transversely to the longitudinal axis X of the new pair of plates 5 by sliding them on the lateral guides 8;

[0136] d) Locking the new pair of plates 5 to the corresponding lateral guides 8 by means of the corresponding locking systems 9 .

[0137] If the lateral extraction guides 50 are used, the extraction of the plates in step b) is accomplished by sliding the pair of plates 5 on the respective lateral extraction guides 50, which are arranged to be aligned with the corresponding lateral guides 8. Thus, the pair of plates 5 to be extracted first slides on the lateral guides 8 and then on the lateral extraction guides 50, which are long enough to allow the pair of plates 5 to occupy a position completely outside the fixed base plate 1. At this point, once the pair of rods to be replaced is extracted, the insertion of the new pair of plates 5 in step c) is produced by first sliding the new pair of plates on the lateral extraction guides 50 and then sliding the new pair of plates on the corresponding lateral guides 8.

[0138] In the case of the above-mentioned variation of the first embodiment of the present invention, that is, in the case of the variation in which a quick connection device 12 is provided in step a), at each end of the pair of plates 5, the quick connection device 12 is operated to disengage from the seat 13, whereby the locking pin 10 can be disengaged from the corresponding end recess of the pair of plates 5 in the normally closed state of the pair of plates 5.

[0139] Conversely, in step d), at each end of the pair of plates 5 , the quick coupling device 12 is operated to engage in the seat 13 , whereby the locking pin 10 engages in said end recess of the new pair of plates 5 .

[0140] Alternatively, considering the above-mentioned variation of the second embodiment of the present invention, that is, the variation in which a fastening screw 12' is provided in step a), at each end of the pair of plates 5, the screw 12' is unscrewed to disengage from the seat 13', whereby the locking pin 10 can be disengaged from the corresponding end recess of the pair of plates 5 in the normally closed state of the pair of plates 5.

[0141] Conversely, in step d), at each end of the pair of plates 5 , the screws 12 ′ are screwed on to engage in the seats 13 ′, whereby the locking pins 10 engage in said end recesses of the new pair of plates 5 .

Claims

1. A support device (3) for supporting at least one neck mold (4) for a plastic container, the support device being adapted to be fastened to the lower surface of a rotating device (2) of an injection blow molding machine for plastic containers, The supporting device (3) comprises: - a pair of plates (5), the pair of plates (5) defining a longitudinal axis (X), the plates (5) being adjacent to each other along the longitudinal axis (X) and being separable from each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (X) and being kept adjacent in a normally closed state by elastic means (6); wherein each plate (5) is provided with at least one corresponding recess, the recesses being positioned so that when the plates (5) of the pair of plates are in the normally closed state, at least two recesses are adjacent to each other along the longitudinal axis (X), thereby defining a seat for a neck mould (4), the neck mould (4) comprising a pair of split moulds (7), each split mould (7) being receivable in a recess of a corresponding plate (5); - a pair of lateral guides (8) transverse to said longitudinal axis (X) suitable for being fastened to said lower surface of said rotating device (2), each lateral guide (8) being suitable for supporting a respective end of said pair of plates (5) from the bottom; wherein the side guides (8) are provided with corresponding locking systems (9) for locking the pair of plates (5) to the pair of side guides (8) or unlocking the pair of plates (5) from the pair of side guides (8), so that in the unlocked position the pair of plates (5) can be withdrawn transversely to the longitudinal axis (X) of the pair of plates (5) by sliding on the side guides (8); wherein each side guide (8) is provided with a corresponding seat; wherein the pair of plates (5) have end recesses in a normally closed state of the pair of plates (5), each end recess being defined by two end half recesses (14), each end half recess (14) being provided in a corresponding end of a plate (5) in the pair of plates (5); Wherein, the locking system (9) comprises a base (11); The base (11) is provided with a locking pin (10) protruding from the base at the end of the base (11), and a quick connection device (12) for fastening the base (11) to the corresponding side guide (8), the quick connection device (12) being adapted to engage in a corresponding seat (13) arranged on each side guide (8), whereby, when the quick connection device (12) is engaged in the seat, the locking pin (10) is inserted into the end recess of the pair of plates (5) in the normally closed state of the pair of plates (5).

2. The support device according to claim 1, wherein: The quick-connect device (12) is of the quarter-turn type.

3. The support device according to claim 2, wherein: The quick coupling device (12) is provided with a knob (17) for rotation of the quick coupling device (12).

4. A support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the quick connection device (12) comprises a locking bolt (15) protruding from the base (11) on the same side as the locking pin (10), and wherein the seat (13) comprises an opening (16) suitable for being passed by an end portion of the bolt (15).

5. The supporting device according to claim 4, wherein the end portion of the bolt (15) is provided with a side protrusion (26), and two side protrusions (26) are opposite to each other.

6. Support device according to claim 5, wherein the bolt (15) is integrated with a knob (17) to rotate the quick connection device (12).

7. The support device according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-6, wherein: The lateral guide (8) is provided with a housing (20) shaped to receive the base (11).

8. The support device according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-6, wherein: The base (11) is provided with at least one centering pin (18) which protrudes from the base (11) on the same side as the locking pin (10) and is adapted to be inserted into a corresponding housing (20) provided on the lateral guide (8).

9. The support device according to claim 8, wherein: The base (11) is provided with only one centering pin (18), wherein the centering pin (18) is provided to be aligned with the locking pin (10) and the quick connection device, the quick connection device being arranged between the centering pin (18) and the locking pin (10).

10. The support device according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-6, wherein: The base (11) is provided with at least two parallel centering pins (18) which protrude from the base (11) on the same side as the locking pin (10) protrudes, the centering pins (18) being arranged on opposite sides relative to the quick coupling device and being adapted to be inserted into corresponding housings (20) provided on the lateral guide (8).

11. The support device according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-6, wherein: The base (11) is suitable for sliding along at least two guide elements (28) parallel to each other and fastened to respective side guides (8), which define the travel of the locking system (9) in order to disengage the locking pin (10) from the end recesses of the pair of plates (5).

12. Support device according to claim 11, wherein the guide element (28) is a flange screw passing through a corresponding through hole provided in the base (11).

13. The supporting device according to claim 11, wherein the guide element (28) is arranged at a position between the locking pin (10) and the quick coupling device, or laterally relative to the quick coupling device at an opposite side of the quick coupling device.

14. The supporting device according to claim 12, wherein the guide element (28) is arranged at a position between the locking pin (10) and the quick coupling device, or laterally relative to the quick coupling device at an opposite side of the quick coupling device.

15. The support device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: Resilient means (28', 41) are provided, which are suitable for facilitating the disengagement of the locking system (9) from the pair of plates (5), that is, suitable for facilitating the disengagement of the locking pin (10) from the end recesses of the pair of plates (5).

16. An injection blow molding machine for plastic containers, the injection blow molding machine comprising -Fixed base plate(1); - a rotating device (2) arranged below the fixed base plate (1) and movably supported by the fixed base plate (1), - at least two supporting means (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, said supporting means (3) being removably fastened to the lower surface of the rotating device (2); wherein the rotating device (2) is adapted to rotate in an intermittent manner to sequentially convey each support device (3) at a first station for injection molding plastic preforms and at a second station for blow molding containers from said preforms; Each supporting device (3) includes at least one neck mold (4), and the neck mold (4) includes a pair of split molds (7), each split mold (7) of the pair of split molds (7) is accommodated in a recessed portion of a corresponding plate (5) of the pair of plates, so that when the plate (5) of the pair of plates is in the normally closed state, the split molds (7) are adjacent to each other along the longitudinal axis (X).

17. The injection blow molding machine according to claim 16, wherein: At each lateral guide (8) a corresponding lateral withdrawal guide (50) is provided, said lateral withdrawal guide (50) being fastenable to said fixed base plate (1) so as to be aligned with the corresponding lateral guide (8).

18. A method for replacing a pair of plates (5) of a support device (3) of an injection blow molding machine, the injection blow molding machine being the injection blow molding machine according to claim 16, the method comprising the following steps: a) unlocking the pair of plates (5) from the corresponding lateral guides (8) by means of corresponding locking systems (9); b) extracting the pair of plates (5) transversely to their longitudinal axis (X) by sliding them on the lateral guides (8); c) inserting the new pair of plates (5) transversely to the longitudinal axis (X) of the new pair of plates (5) by sliding the new pair of plates (5) on the lateral guides (8); d) Locking the new pair of plates (5) to the corresponding lateral guides (8) by means of corresponding locking systems (9).

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: In step b), the extraction is accomplished by also sliding the pair of plates (5) on respective lateral extraction guides (50), each of which is fastened to the fixed base plate (1) and aligned with a corresponding lateral guide (8); And wherein, in step c), said insertion of said new pair of plates (5) is produced by first sliding said new pair of plates on said lateral extraction guides (50) and then on corresponding lateral guides (8).

20. Method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein each locking system (9) comprises a base (11) provided with a locking pin (10) protruding from the base and with a quick coupling device (12) suitable for engaging in a corresponding seat (13) arranged on the corresponding lateral guide (8), in, In step a), at each end of the pair of plates (5), the quick coupling device (12) is operated to disengage from the seat (13), whereby the locking pin (10) can be disengaged from the end recess of the pair of plates (5) in the normally closed state of the pair of plates (5), the end recess being defined by two end half recesses (14), each end half recess (14) being provided in a respective plate (5) of the pair of plates (5); And wherein, in step d), at each end of the pair of plates (5), the quick coupling device (12) is operated to engage in the seat (13), whereby the locking pin (10) engages in the end recess of the new pair of plates (5).

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