Method and apparatus for loading blow molding machines

Abstract

Apparatus for charging heated preforms to moving loading hoppers of a blow molding machine comprises support assemblies for the preforms, a series of laterally adjacent slide assemblies at the outlet of a temperature-conditioning chamber and above the plane of movement of moving loading hoppers of a blow molding machine, conveying means for linearly transporting the support assemblies through the chamber and above the slide assemblies and means for sequentially actuating the slide assemblies according to a predetermined sequence. The method comprises linearly continuously advancing such preforms supported in side-by-side relationship above circularly moving loading hoppers of a blow molding machine and removing supports from beneath the side-by-side positioned preforms according to a predetermined sequence to permit each preform to drop by gravity into a particular one of such hoppers then passing beneath it.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.