Device and method for transporting preforms in the region of a blow-molding machine

A transport device for conveying preforms made of a thermoplastic material in a region of a machine that blow-molds the preforms to form containers, said transport device comprising a transport wheel that is mounted in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis, wherein a plurality of receiving recesses are provided in a circumferential edge the transport wheel, each recess being configured to receive and convey one of said preforms, said transport device further comprising a plurality of hook elements, wherein one of said plurality of hook elements is arranged on the transport wheel in a region of each one of said plurality of receiving recesses, wherein each of said plurality of hook elements is mounted on the transport wheel in a manner so as to be pivotal between an open position and a closed position, wherein when in the closed position, each of said hook elements secures one of said preforms to be transported in a respective receiving recess so as to prevent said one of said preforms from falling out of the respective receiving recess, wherein the transport device further comprises an ejection unit for selective ejection of one of said preforms that is conveyed in one of said plurality of receiving recesses of the transport wheel, wherein the ejection unit includes an ejection ram that is longitudinally movable between a striking position and a position at rest, and wherein in the striking position the ejection ram protrudes into the region of one of the plurality of receiving recesses in such a manner that a preform that is secured in said receiving recess is ejected out of said receiving recess.