Apparatus for blow moulding plastic preforms having a reduced dead volume

Abstract

A blow molding apparatus for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers may include a blow piston extending in a longitudinal direction and a blow nozzle extending from the blow piston in the longitudinal direction. The blow nozzle may be configured to apply a gaseous medium to a preform for the expansion thereof. A connection device may be structured and arranged to supply the gaseous medium to the blow molding apparatus via at least two connection lines, and a control block may be arranged between the connection device and the blow piston. The control block may be configured to control the supply of the gaseous medium during the expansion process using at least partially varying pressure levels and may have a plurality of channels for guiding the gaseous medium. The plurality of channels may be separated from each other at least in sections and may be distributed in a circumferential direction of the control block. At least two valves may be on an outer circumference of the control block. The valves may be distributed in a circumferential direction around the control block, and may be controlled independent of one another for controlling the supply of the gaseous medium to the blow nozzle. A distribution member may be configured to guide the gaseous medium into said channels. The distribution member may be arranged between the connection device and the control block if viewed in the flow direction of the gaseous medium. The channels may extend within the control block at least in sections substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the blow piston.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.