Method and device for transporting preforms

A method for transporting preforms in an area of a blow-molding machine for blow-molding thermoplastic containers along a sorting device configured as a roll sorter with two rotating conveying rolls, the method comprising the steps of:

• sensing at least one preform with at least one sensor arranged in an area of the sorting device as the preform is transported through a detection area of the sensor, and generating a sensor signal;
• transmitting the sensor signal for processing to a control system that evaluates the sensor signal and generates at least one control signal as a function thereof;
• adjusting a process parameter of the sorting device and/or of a conveying device upstream of the sorting device for supplying preforms to the sorting device as a function of at least one of the control signals;
• and
• sensing a section of the sorting device with at least one of the sensors, the sensor signal of this sensor containing data on at least one gap between a pair of preforms being transported successively through a detection area of this sensor;
• wherein
• the control signals for adjusting a process parameter of the conveying device and/or of the sorting device are, at least for certain periods of time, dependent on the gap data.