Pitch changing device, and molding device provided with same and molding method

A pitch changing device used for a molding device suitable for performing at least one of injection molding of preforms and blow molding of the preforms, the pitch changing device comprising:

• N holding units capable of holding the preforms and arranged at a predetermined pitch in a predetermined direction, N being an integer equal to or larger than 2;
• a coupling unit coupling the holding units adjacent to each other such that the pitch is changeable;
• a drive unit configured to generate a predetermined drive force;
• and
• a drive force transmission unit configured to transmit the drive force to each of one end-side and the other end-side, in the predetermined direction, of the coupled N holding units,
• wherein the one end-side and the other end-side are configured to be moved in the predetermined direction by the drive force to change the pitch,
• wherein the drive force transmission unit includes a loop member provided around the coupled N holding units and connected to each of the one end-side and the other end-side, and
• wherein the loop member is configured to be rotated by the drive force to change the pitch.