Machine and method for forming containers from preforms carried by successive moulds

A machine for producing containers from preforms, the machine comprising:

• a plurality of successive molds, each of the molds having a mold cavity defining an external shape of the container to be produced, the molds each including at least two half molds moveable between a mold open position and a mold closed position,
• a rotatable wheel having a mold loading station configured to successively load preforms into the molds and a mold unloading station configured to successively remove formed containers from the molds, the wheel including a plurality of mold holders releasably engaged to a subset of the molds, the mold holders having at successively located positions about a single rotation of the wheel a first mold holder open position, a first mold holder closed position, a second mold holder open position and a second mold holder closed position, the first mold holder open position being located at the mold loading station, in the first mold holder open position the mold holders being engaged with molds of the subset of the molds that are in the open position, in the second mold holder open position the mold holders being engaged with molds of the subset of molds that are in the closed position,
• a forming station configured to successively receive the molds in the mold closed position and form the containers by injecting a gaseous or liquid fluid into the preform contained in each of the molds in order to expand the preform such that each of the preforms acquires the shape of the container defined by the mold cavity, the forming station including a source of forming medium in fluid communication with a forming nozzle,
• the mold loading station and the forming station being distinct from each other,
• a transferring station arranged between the mold loading station and the forming station, the transferring station configured to successively transfer the molds containing the preforms from the mold holders in the second mold holder open position to the forming station, the transferring station including receivers releasably engaging the molds, the receivers having portions correspondingly shaped to an exterior shape of the molds.