Device and system for holding a mold segment, handling device for a mold segment and method for changing a mold segment

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for holding a forming tool segment (12) at a forming station (72), comprising at least one forming tool segment (12) having at least one contact surface (14) for contacting another forming tool segment (12), at least one carrier element (16) having a receiving area (18) for the forming tool segment (12), and at least one locking element (20) for locking the forming tool segment (12) to the carrier element (16), wherein the locking element (20) is interchangeable between a first functional state fixing the forming tool segment (12) to the carrier element (16) and a second functional state releasing the forming tool segment (12), characterized in that the forming tool segment (12) has a first holding partner (22) for interacting with a second holding partner (44) of a handling device (40) for the forming tool segment (12),wherein the first holding partner (22) is arranged on the contact surface (14). The device (10) facilitates the exchange of the mold segments, thus reducing costs and time.

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a system for holding a mold segment, to a handling apparatus for a mold segment and to a method for changing a mold segment.For the production of containers, molds can be used in which preforms are transformed into containers. The forming tools have a negative shape of the outer contour of the container to be produced. Furthermore, the forming tools can be used divided into segments in outer shells on machines, from which the forming tools can be accommodated. The machines can have a multiplicity of forming stations, which can each have at least one forming tool. When changing the container shape to be produced, a so-called format change, the forming tools at the forming stations must be exchanged. For this purpose, the forming tools can be removed from the forming stations, for example, by means of a robot, and placed in a magazine. The forming tools to be used for the new container shape can be inserted and installed from a magazine into the forming stations.EP 3 156 205 A1 discloses a changing robot with a gripping device which can remove all the forming tools from a forming station at once. For separating the forming tools, in particular for removing a bottom mold of the mold, the removed mold can be opened and closed again with the gripping device.Furthermore, EP 3 231 577 A2 discloses a locking mechanism for a blow mold, in which locking elements are fastened to a blow mold shell. The engagement elements can fix a blow mold which is placed in the blow mold shell. The engagement elements can be automatically pressed into a locking position by means of a spring element. In order to remove the blow mold, the spring element must first be prestressed, so that the engagement elements can be moved out of the locking position.It is an object of the invention to provide a device and a method which facilitates an exchange of the forming tools and thus reduces costs and time expenditure.The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous refinements are the subject matter of the dependent claims and of the following description.In one aspect, the invention relates to a device for holding a mold segment at a forming station, comprising at least one mold segment which has at least one contact surface for placing it on a further mold segment, at least one carrier element having a receiving region for the mold segment and at least one locking element for locking the mold segment on the carrier element, wherein the locking element can be changed between a first functional state fixes the mold segment on the carrier element and a second functional state releases the mold segment, wherein it is provided according to the invention that the mold segment has a first holding partner for interacting with a second holding partner of a handling device for the mold segment, wherein the first holding partner is arranged on the contact surface.With the provision of the first holding partner on the contact surface, the device can be used both in manual operation and in automated operation, for example by means of a robot arm on which a handling device is mounted. In manual operation, the mold segment can be manually unlocked and removed from the carrier element. In automated operation, a second holding partner, in particular of a handling device, can interact with the first holding partner in order to remove the mold tool segment from the carrier element. The carrier element can preferably be pivotably mounted on the forming station. When the first holding partner and the second holding partner cooperate, the mold segment can be supported by the second holding partner. For removing the mold segment, the locking element can first be unlocked, i.e. be guided into the second functional state. Furthermore, at the same time or thereafter, the second holding partner can cooperate with the first holding partner in order to support the unlocked molding tool segment. The supported forming tool segment can then be removed from the carrier element of the forming station. By using a first holding partner on the contact surface of the mold segment, automation of the changing process for the mold segment can thus be realized with simple means. This allows costs and time to be reduced both during the implementation of the device and during the operation in the alternating process.The mold segment can have only a part of an entire outer contour of a mold for an object set. The entire shape of the outer contour can be provided by supplementing the mold segment with further mold segments. In order to produce the entire mold, the mold segment must be brought together with the other mold segments, the other mold segments bearing against the contact surface on the mold segment. In forming stations which can be opened and closed, the forming tool segments can be separated or brought together by the opening and closing. During the joining, the contact surfaces of the mold segments are placed against one another. That is, in the closed state of a forming station, the contact surfaces with the first holding partners are inaccessible. Only by opening the forming station can access the first holding partner be created when the contact surfaces of the different forming tool segments are separated from one another.The locking element can be changed between the first functional state and the second functional state, for example, by a translation movement. The translation movement can be carried out parallel to the contact surface and can be designed, for example, as a guided movement. Thus, the locking element can be moved, for example, parallel to the contact surface in order to change between the first functional state and the second functional state.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the first holding partner can be designed as a first chamber for a second holding partner, in particular designed as a mushroom head.In particular, the first retaining partner can have a keyhole-shaped opening to the first chamber. The keyhole-shaped opening can have an elongated hole part and a round part. The round part can have a larger diameter than the elongated hole part. The mushroom head can be introduced through the round part into the first chamber and then guided along the elongated hole with a neck region of the mushroom head. The mushroom head of the second retaining partner can then be hooked into the slot part of the opening and undercut the contact surface on the slot part. The second holding partner can thus interact with the first holding partner with little effort in order to bring about a holding of the mold segment.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the locking element can have at least one actuating surface for placing an actuating element for changing between the first and second functional states.The actuating surface can be configured, for example, such that a force directed onto the actuating surface can bring about a change of the locking element from the first functional state to the second functional state or vice versa. Furthermore, the actuating surface can be a cylindrical lateral surface, so that, for example, a bolt, which abuts with its outer surface on the actuating surface, can bring about the change between the two functional states during a movement perpendicular to the actuating surface.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the device can further have a blocking element for releasably locking the locking element in the first functional state.The locking element can be fixed with the locking element in the first functional state. Thus, an unintentional change of the locking element from the first functional state into the second functional state can be avoided. The blocking element can reduce the translation movement explained above, for example, by a form fit. The positive fit can be effected, for example, in a direction parallel to the contact surface between the blocking element and the locking element.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the blocking element in the first functional state can adjoin the actuating surface, wherein preferably the blocking element and the actuating surface can form a positive fit in a direction of change of the locking element in the second functional state.In this exemplary embodiment, a positive fit between the blocking element and the actuating surface can thus be effected in the first functional state when the blocking element is in a blocking position. The actuating surface can thus have a dual function. The first function may be the actuation of the locking element to change between the two functional states. The second function of the actuating surface can be the interaction with the blocking element for fixing the locking element in the first functional state. This allows the effort involved in producing the locking element to be reduced. Furthermore, a possible handling device can also be simplified and the manual actuation can be simplified.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the blocking element can be designed as at least one latching rocker arranged on the carrier element.With the locking rocker, the locking element can be arranged on the carrier element in such a way that it can be pressed into the carrier element, for example, in order to unlock the locking element. One arm of the locking rocker can be pressed into the carrier element and another arm can be pressed out of the carrier element according to the rocker principle. The blocking element can thus be arranged on the device in a space-saving manner.In some exemplary embodiments, the other arm can be pressed back into the carrier element in order to bring the blocking element into the blocking position.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the blocking element in the first functional state can at least partially project through an opening of the locking element, wherein the blocking element can be actuated through the opening in order to release the locking of the locking element.The locking element may have an opening away from an edge of the locking element. The opening can be arranged, for example, transversely to the contact surface of the mold segment when the mold segment is received in the carrier element. In the first functional state, the blocking element can be arranged at least partially in the opening. The edge of the opening can be, for example, the actuating surface explained above. By arranging the blocking element in the opening of the locking element, the blocking element can be arranged on the carrier element in a further space-saving manner.In a further aspect, the invention relates to a plant for producing containers from preforms, comprising at least one forming station for forming a preform into a container and at least one device according to the preceding description, wherein the carrier element is fastened to the forming station.The plant can have a plurality of forming stations which can be fastened to a forming wheel which can be mounted rotatably about a vertical axis of rotation. Each forming station may comprise at least one device as described above. Furthermore, each forming station can have at least one forming tool segment, preferably two forming tool segments, which can be fastened to a carrier element by means of the device explained above. In this case, the forming station can also have at least one carrier element for each forming tool segment, which can be fastened by means of the device explained above. The forming stations can furthermore be fastened to a rotary machine and can be designed, for example, as blow moulding stations. Furthermore, the forming station can have further forming tool segments, for example forming tool segments for forming a base of a container.Further advantages and effects and developments of the system result from the advantages and effects and developments of the above-described device. In order to avoid repetitions, reference is therefore made in this respect to the preceding description.In a further aspect, the invention relates to a handling device for handling at least one mold segment in the region of a forming station, comprising at least one actuating element for actuating a locking element for locking the mold segment on a carrier element, wherein provision is made according to the invention for the handling device further to have at least one second holding partner for interacting with a first holding partner of a device for holding a mold segment on a forming station, wherein the second holding partner and the actuating element extend at least partially in the same direction from the handling device.With the handling device, for example, an automatic change of the tool can be made by means of a robot arm. The second holding partner and the actuating element can project, for example, from one side of the handling device to part in the same direction. In this case, a mold segment can first be removed from a carrier element by the handling device and a new mold segment, which serves to produce a different container format, can be inserted into the carrier element. The handling device can be fastened, for example, to the end of a robot arm. With the second holding partner, the handling device can then hold a mold segment which has a first holding partner. With the actuating element, the handling device can further transfer the locking element into the second functional state in that the mold segment is received, which is held by the handling device.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the second holding partner can be designed as a mushroom head.A holding partner designed as a mushroom head can furthermore have a neck region. The mushroom head can then be inserted, for example, into a keyhole-shaped opening in order to hook into an elongated hole part of the keyhole.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the handling device can further have a clamping device for clamping the second holding partner to the first holding partner.The second holding partner can thus be firmly braced with the first holding partner.The safety of the mounting or of the interaction of the first holding partner with the second holding partner can thus be increased. If the second retaining partner is designed, for example, as a mushroom head and the first retaining partner has a keyhole shape, the mushroom head can be braced with the first retaining partner in the slot part by shortening the neck region. For this purpose, the mushroom head can be mounted movably on the handling device, for example. The direction of movement can be formed along the direction of extension of the neck region to the mushroom head region. The clamping device can furthermore have, for example, a wedge element which can cooperate with a flange of the mushroom head which can be arranged at a distance from the mushroom head region. When the wedge element is wedged with the flange, the mushroom head can thus be pulled in the direction of the handling device, so that the neck region is shortened.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the actuating element can be designed as a driver, preferably as a bolt.The actuating element, which is designed as a driver and in particular as a bolt, can be inserted, for example, into an opening of the locking element, which is arranged transversely to the alternating direction. The driver or the bolt can thus change the locking element between the first functional state and the second functional state during the movement in the alternating direction. In further exemplary embodiments, the driver can simultaneously serve, in the first functional state, to actuate the locking element explained above in order to unlock the locking element.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the actuating element can be designed for application to an actuating surface of the locking element.If, for example, the actuating surface is formed as an edge of an opening or recess in the locking element, the actuating element can have a shape which can be inserted into the opening or recess. The actuating element can then be moved in the alternating direction, for example, by a movement of the handling device. This can cause it to be placed against the actuating surface and cause the locking element to be changed between the first functional state and the second functional state.In a further aspect, the invention relates to a system for holding a mold segment on a carrier element of a forming station, comprising at least one handling device according to the preceding description, at least one robot arm to which the handling device is movably fastened, and at least one device according to the preceding description or a plant according to the preceding description.Advantages and effects and refinements of the system result from the advantages and effects and refinements of the apparatus described above or of the installation described above or of the handling apparatus described above. In order to avoid repetitions, reference is therefore made in this respect to the preceding description.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the system further comprises at least one sensor element for ascertaining a position and orientation of the handling device.The sensor element can furthermore also be fastened to the handling device and / or to the above-explained device for holding the mold segment. The sensor can be used, for example, to determine whether the handling device has the required position and orientation in order to bring about an interaction between the first holding partner and the second holding partner.According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for changing a forming tool segment at a forming station by means of a handling device according to the preceding description and a device or a plant according to the preceding description, or by means of a system according to the preceding description comprising at least the following steps: opening the forming station such that at least two forming tool segments are separated; arranging the handling device between the two separated forming tool segments; changing the locking element into the second functional position; connecting the second retaining partner to the first retaining partner; and separating the forming tool segment from the carrier element.Advantages and effects and developments of the method result from the advantages and effects and developments of the above-described device or of the above-described installation or of the above-described handling device or of the above-described system. In order to avoid repetitions, reference is therefore made in this respect to the preceding description.The invention will be described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment by means of the attached drawings. The following are shown: FIGS. 1 a- c show a schematic illustration of a device for holding a forming tool segment at a forming station; FIGS. 2 a- c show a schematic representation of a handling device; FIGS. 3 a- c show a schematic illustration of a system for holding a mold segment on a carrier element of a forming station; FIGS. 4a, b show a schematic representation of a plant for producing containers from preforms; and FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a method for changing a forming tool segment at a forming station.The device for holding a forming tool segment at a forming station is designated in the following in its entirety with the reference sign 10 according to FIG. 1 a.The device 10 has at least one mold segment 12 which is arranged and fastened in a carrier element 16. For this purpose, the carrier element 16 has a receiving region 18 for the mold segment 12. The mold segment 12 is fastened to the carrier element 16 by a locking element 20. Furthermore, the carrier element 16 can be pivotably mounted at a forming station 72. The forming station 72 may include at least two support members 16 that are pivotable relative to each other to have a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, mold segments 12 that are accommodated in the carrier elements 16 are arranged in such a way that they supplement one another at least to form part of a mold for an object to be produced. In this case, contact surfaces 14 of the mold segments 12 bear against one another in the closed position.The locking element 20 can be movably mounted on the carrier element 16. In this case, the locking element 20 can be moved between a first functional state and a second functional state. For this purpose, the locking element 20 can have an actuating surface 24, against which an actuating element 42, 46 can be placed. The actuating surface 24 can be oriented in such a way that a force effect on the actuating surface 24 can bring about a change of the locking element 20 between the first functional state and the second functional state. For example, the force effect can cause a movement of the locking element 20.In the first functional state, the locking element 20 fixes the mold segment 12 to the carrier element 16.In the second functional state, the locking element 20 releases the mold segment 12. The mold segment 12 can then be removed from the carrier element 16.In this example, the locking element 20 is designed as a rail which has lugs 21 which hold the molding tool segment 12 on the carrier element 16 in the first functional state by means of form closure with the contact surface 14. The locking element 20 can be transferred into the second functional state by a displacement parallel to the contact surface 14. For this purpose, the locking element 20 can have elongated holes through which fastening elements project, such as screws or rivets with retaining heads. The tongues 21 of the rails then no longer form a positive fit with the contact surface 14.The mold segment 12 can furthermore be fastened to the carrier element 16 by a further immovably mounted rail 58.Furthermore, the mold segment 12 can have a base segment region 13 for a base mold. At least a part of the bottom shape can be arranged in the bottom segment area 13.The mold segment 12 further has a first holding partner 22 on the contact surface 14.In this exemplary embodiment, the first holding partner 22 is designed as a first chamber 34 in the mold segment 12. An opening of the first chamber 34 is arranged on the contact surface 14.FIG. 1 b shows a detailed view of the first holding partner 22. The opening can be formed in the form of a keyhole. The key hole may include a round part 30 and an elongated hole part 32. The round portion 30 may have a diameter corresponding to a width of the first chamber 34. The elongated hole part 32 may be narrower than a width of the first chamber 34. In a surrounding area of the elongated hole part 32, the first chamber 34 can extend under the contact surface 14. The first chamber 34 can therefore form an undercut to the contact surface 14 in the surrounding region of the elongated hole part 32.The device 10 can further comprise a locking element 28 which can releasably lock the locking element 20 in the first functional state of the locking element 20.If the locking element 20 is locked in the first functional state, the locking element 20 can no longer be changed to the second functional state. Only after the locking by means of the locking element 28 is released can the locking element 20 change from the first functional state back to the second functional state.The blocking element 28 is schematically illustrated in the sectional illustration from FIG. 1 c. The section is oriented perpendicularly into the plane which is parallel to the contact surface 14. The locking element 20 is shown, which can be mounted on the carrier element 16 in a longitudinally displaceable manner. A chamber can be formed in the carrier element 16, in which the blocking element 28 can be arranged. The blocking element 28 can be designed as a locking rocker which can be mounted pivotably about an axis of rotation 38.Optionally, at least one spring element 39 can be provided which presses the blocking element 28 into a blocking position when the locking element 20 is in the first functional state. The blocking element 28 can extend through an opening 27 of the locking element 20 in the blocking position. In this case, the blocking element 28 can abut against an edge of the opening 27. The edge of the opening 27 may be the actuation surface 24 of the locking element 20.The locking element 20 can have further openings 26 for coupling further actuating elements 46.To unlock the locking element 20 in the first functional state, the blocking element 28 can be moved through the opening 27 into the second chamber 29. The locking rocker then carries out a pivoting movement about the axis of rotation 38. As a result, the optional spring element 39 can be prestressed. A rocker head 36 opposite the blocking element 28 can be pushed through a further opening 25 on the carrier element 16 when the blocking element 28 is pivoted into the second chamber 29.In particular, if no spring element 39 is provided, the blocking element 28 can be returned to the blocking position again with the rocker head 36 in the first functional state, in that the rocker head 36 is pivoted through the opening 25 into the chamber.In FIGS. 2a to 2c, a handling device 40 is schematically shown.According to FIG. 2 a, the handling device 40 has at least one second holding partner 44. In this exemplary embodiment, the second holding partner 44 is designed as a mushroom head 45. The second holding partner 44 can be fastened to a base body 48.Furthermore, the handling device 40 has at least one actuating element 42, 46. In this exemplary embodiment, the actuating element 42, 46 can be designed as a bolt, which can be firmly connected to the base body 48.FIG. 2 bshows the side of the handling device 40 oriented downward in FIG. 2 a.The second holding partners 44 can have flanges 52 on this side of the handling device 40. Furthermore, the second holding partners 44 can protrude through the base body 48 and be mounted movably on the base body 48. The mobility can extend in a direction which is oriented from a neck region 54 of the second holding partner 44 to a mushroom head 45 of the second holding partner 44.A clamping device 50 of the handling device 40 can be configured for clamping the at least one second holding partner 44, in particular the mushroom head 45. The clamping device 50 can be mounted in the guide channel 51 and arranged movably along the guide channel 51. Furthermore, the clamping device 50 can have a drive (not shown) which can drive the clamping device 50 to move along the guide channel 51.The clamping device 50 can further comprise at least one wedge region 56. The at least one wedge region 56 can be arranged between the base body 48 and the flange 52. When the wedge region 56 is displaced transversely with respect to the flange 52, the flange 52 can be pressed away from the base body 48. This can have the effect that the mushroom head 45 of the second holding partner 44 is moved in the direction of the base body 48.If the mushroom head 45 of the second holding partner 44 projects through an elongated hole part 32 of a second holding partner 22, the second holding partner 44 can thereby be prestressed.FIG. 2 cshows a partial section through the handling device 40, wherein it is shown here that the second holding partner 44 has a neck region 54 below the mushroom head 45, which extends as far as the flange 52. The mushroom head 45 and the flange 52 may be disposed on two opposite sides of the neck portion 54. The second holding partner 44 can extend with the neck region 54 through the base body 48 to the guide channel 51. The flange 52 of the second holding partner 44 is arranged on the guide channel 51.Between the flange 52 and the base body 48 the wedge region 46 of the clamping device 50 is arranged. When the wedge region 46 is displaced to the left in the illustration of FIG. 2 c, the flange 52 is pressed downward. This has the effect that the mushroom head 45 of the second holding partner 44 is pulled in the direction of the base body 40. The second retaining partner 44 can thus be prestressed if the mushroom head 45 is arranged on the elongated hole part 32 of the first retaining partner 22 and intersects behind the elongated hole part 32 with respect to the contact surface 14.FIG. 3 ashows the system 60 for holding a mold segment 12 on a carrier element 16 of a forming station. The system 60 has at least one handling device 40 explained above and at least one device 10 explained above. In FIG. 3 a, the handling device 40 is arranged on the device 10, wherein the first holding partner 22 and the second holding partner 44 cooperate and the locking element 20 is in the second functional state.In this exemplary embodiment, the second holding partner 44 is designed as a mushroom head 45. The first retaining partner 22 has a keyhole shape which is arranged above a first chamber 34 of the first retaining partner 22. The mushroom head 45 is arranged in the first chamber 34 behind the elongated hole part 32 of the first holding partner 22 and intersects the elongated hole part 32 from behind. The neck region 54 of the second holding partner 44 projects through the elongated hole part 32, as is schematically illustrated in the sectional illustration from FIG. 3 b.In the second functional state, the blocking element 28 is released and the locking element 20 in this exemplary embodiment is displaced upward in comparison with the first functional state. This is illustrated in the sectional illustration from FIG. 3 c. The actuating element 42 engages the actuating surface 24 of the locking element 20. In FIG. 3 c, the locking element 20 with the actuating element 42 has been displaced via the actuating surface 24 into the second functional state.In the second functional state, the locking element 20 can block a passage 31 to the second chamber 29, so that the blocking element 28 is arranged within the second chamber 29 and cannot be moved from the second chamber 29 into the blocking position. As a result, the optional spring element 39 can be prestressed. The rocker arm 36 then projects out of the second chamber 29 through the opening 25. If no spring element should be provided, the rocker arm 36 can be used to actuate the latching rocker in order to bring the blocking element 28 into the blocking position again, if appropriate, when the locking element 20 is in the first functional state.Figure 4a shows a plant 70 for making containers from preforms. In this exemplary embodiment, the system 70 has a forming wheel 76, on which a plurality of forming stations 72 are arranged. Each forming station 72 comprises at least one device 10 according to the explanations given above.Furthermore, the system 70 can optionally have a feeding transport wheel 78 for preforms and a discharging transport wheel 80 for the formed containers.In the event of a format change, i.e. when the contour or size of the containers is to be changed, a changing device 74, which can be designed as a changing robot, can be provided on the installation 70. The changing device 74 can have at least one handling device 40.According to FIG. 4 b, the changing device 74 can have a robot arm 84, at the end of which the handling device 40 can be arranged as a hand element. In this exemplary embodiment, the changing device 40 has two handling devices 40.The changing device 74 can arrange the handling devices 40 between mold segments 12 of an open forming station 72, wherein the handling device 40 is arranged on the contact surfaces 14 exposed by the opening in order to connect the second holding partners 44 of the handling devices 40 to the first holding partners 22 of the mold changing segments 12.The arrangement shown in FIG. 4 b can also represent the state which can exist when inserting mold segments 12 into the carrier elements 16. For this purpose, the carrier elements 16 are initially opened to such an extent that the mold segments 12 can be arranged between the carrier elements 16. The carrier elements 16 are then closed to such an extent that the mold segments 12 are inserted into the receiving regions 18 of the carrier elements 16. The connection between the first and second holding partners 22, 44 can then be released and the locking element 20 can be moved into the first functional state.Furthermore, the system 70 can have at least one sensor element 82, for example, on the robot arm 84. In this exemplary embodiment, the position and / or the orientation of at least one of the handling devices 40 can be determined using the sensor element 82. With the determined position or determined orientation, the handling device 40 can be guided to the correct position by means of a control device (not shown) in order to change a mold segment 12.The method 100 for changing at least one mold segment 12 is shown by way of example as a flow chart in FIG. 5.The method 100 can be carried out by means of a handling device 40 according to the above explanations in combination with a device 10 according to the above explanations. Alternatively to the device 10, a plant 70 according to the above explanations can also be used. As another alternative, a system 60 may be used.In a first step 102, the forming station 72 can be opened, so that the mold segments 12 of the forming station 72 are separated. In this case, the contact surfaces 14 of the mold segments 12 are separated from one another.The opening is effected to such an extent that at least one handling device 40 can be arranged between the two contact surfaces 14 of the mold segments 12. This can be carried out in a step 104.In a further step, the handling device 40 can be arranged in such a way that the at least one second holding partner 44 of the handling device 40 is connected to the at least one first holding partner 22 of one of the mold segments 12 and interacts according to step 108. In this case, for example, a mushroom head 45 of the second holding partner 44 can be inserted through a round part 30 of the first holding partner 22 into a first chamber 34 of the first holding partner 22 and then inserted behind an elongated hole part 32.Meanwhile, an operating element 42 of the handling device 40 may be simultaneously arranged on an operating surface 24 of the locking element 20. For example, an actuating element 42 designed as a bolt can be inserted into an opening 27 of the locking element 20, wherein an edge of the opening 27 can represent the actuating surface 24.When the second retaining partner 44 is moved into the elongated hole part 32 of the first retaining partner 22, the locking element 20 can be actuated. In this example, the handling device 40 is moved upwards relative to the mold segment 12 and the carrier element 16 in order to move the second holding partner 44 into the elongated hole part 32. In this case, the actuating element 42 can also be moved simultaneously and carry along the locking element 20 via the actuating surface of the 24. The locking element 20 can thus be transferred to the second functional state according to step 106.In a further step, the second holding partner 44 can then be braced against a first holding partner 22.Steps 108 and 106 will therefore be performed simultaneously in this embodiment. However, in another exemplary embodiment, they can also be carried out successively.If a plurality of handling devices 40 are arranged on the changing device 74, the steps 106 and 108 and the further optional steps explained above can be carried out simultaneously or successively for each handling device 40.In a further step 110, the carrier element 16 can then be separated from the mold segment 12 which is unlocked from the carrier element 16 and which is held by the handling device 40 by a further opening of the forming station 72.The forming tool segment 12 can then be removed from the forming station 72 and placed, for example, in a magazine. The handling device 40 can then release the mold segment 12.In a further step, not shown, another mold segment 12 can be removed by the handling device 40, for example from a magazine, and inserted into a carrier element 16. In this case, the steps mentioned above can be carried out analogously in the reverse sequence.The above example is not intended to limit the invention in any way. Rather, the invention may be modified in many ways. All the features of the invention described above, alone or in combination with one another, can be essential for the invention.List of reference characters10 Device for holding a mold segment 12 mold segment 13 base segment region 14 contact surface 16 carrier element 18 receiving region 20 locking element 21 tab 22 first holding partner 24 actuation surface 25 opening 26 opening 27 opening 28 blocking element 29 second chamber 30 round part 31 passage 32 elongated hole part 34 first chamber 36 rocker head 38 axis of rotation 39 spring element 40 handling device 42 actuation element 44 second holding partner 45 mushroom head 46 actuation element 48 base body 50 clamping device 51 guide channel 52 flange 54 neck region 56 wedge region 58 rail 60 system for holding a mold segment 70 contact for producing containers from preforms 72 forming station 74 changing device 76 forming wheel 78 transport wheel 80 transport wheel 82 sensor element 84 robot armReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedEP 3 156 205 A1

[0003] EP 3 231 577 A2

[0004]

Claims

Device (10) for holding a mould segment (12) at a forming station (72), comprising at least one mould segment (12) which has at least one contact surface (14) for contact with a further mould segment (12), at least one carrier element (16) having a receiving region (18) for the mould segment (12) and at least one locking element (20) for locking the mould segment (12) to the carrier element (16), wherein the locking element (20) can be changed between a first functional state fixes the mould segment (12) to the carrier element (16) and a second functional state releases the mould segment (12), characterized in that the mould segment (12) has a first holding partner (22) for cooperation with a second holding partner (44) of a handling device (40) for the mould segment (12), wherein the first holding partner (22) is arranged on the contact surface (14).Device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first holding partner (22) is designed as a first chamber (34) for a second holding partner (44), in particular designed as a mushroom head.Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (20) has at least one actuating surface (24) for placing an actuating element (42, 46) for changing between the first and second functional states.Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) further comprises a blocking element (28) for releasably locking the locking element (20) in the first functional state.Device (10) according to claim 3 in combination with claim 4, characterised in that the blocking element (28) adjoins the actuating surface (24) in the first functional state, wherein preferably the blocking element (28) and the actuating surface (24) form a positive fit in a direction of change of the locking element (20) to the second functional state.Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking element (28) is designed as at least one latching rocker arranged on the carrier element (16).Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the first functional state, the blocking element (28) protrudes at least partially through an opening (27) of the locking element (20), wherein the blocking element (28) can be actuated through the opening (27) in order to release the locking of the locking element (20).Plant (70) for producing containers from preforms, comprising at least one forming station (72) for forming a preform into a container and at least one device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the carrier element (16) is fastened to the forming station (72).Handling device (40) for handling at least one mould segment (12) in the region of a forming station (72), comprising at least one actuating element (42, 46) for actuating a locking element (20) for locking the mould segment (12) on a carrier element (16), characterized in that the handling device (40) further has at least one second holding partner (44) for interacting with a first holding partner (22) of a device (10) for holding a mould segment (12) on a forming station (72), wherein the second holding partner (44) and the actuating element (42, 46) extend from the handling device (40) at least partially in the same direction.Handling device (40) according to claim 9, characterised in that the second holding partner (44) is designed as a mushroom head.The handling device (40) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the handling device (40) further comprises a clamping device for clamping the second holding partner (44) to the first holding partner (22).Handling device (40) according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the actuating element (42, 46) is designed as a driver, preferably as a bolt.The handling device (40) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the actuating element (42, 46) is configured for placement on an actuating surface (24) of the locking element (20).A system (60) for holding a forming tool segment (12) on a carrier element (16) of a forming station (72), comprising at least one handling device (40) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, at least one robot arm (84) to which the handling device (40) is movably attached, and at least one device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or a plant (70) according to claim 8.The system (60) according to claim 14, characterized in that the system (60) further comprises at least one sensor element (82) for determining a position and orientation of the handling device (40).Method (100) for changing a mould segment (12) at a forming station (72) by means of a handling device (40) according to one of Claims 9 to 13 and a device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 or a plant (70) according to Claim 8, or by means of a system (60) according to Claim 14 or 15, comprising at least the following steps: - opening (102) the forming station (72) such that at least two mould segments (12) are separated; - arranging (104) the handling device (40) between the two separated mould segments (12); - changing (106) the locking element (20) into the second functional position; - connecting (108) the second retaining partner (44) to the first retaining partner (22); and - separating (110) the mould segment (12) from the carrier element (16).

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