Machinery maker Sidel Participations, Octeville-sur-Mer, France, has patented a new preform molding machine that it claims operates more quickly than comparable inventions while saving space. The machine can be easily integrated into a bottle manufacturing line.

According to the patent, the movable apparatus of the molding carousel includes a core holder mounted to the carriage. The core holder carries at least two identical cores, designed to shape preforms. The cores rotate as they travel into and out of the molding unit.

“More specifically, the same mold body is common to two cores, which makes it possible, with equal production, to reduce the number of molding units by a factor of at least 30 percent, thus improving productivity,” the patent states.

In some iterations of the invention, the mold bodies are placed side by side along a curving path.

Other iterations of the invention include resin- metering equipment and clamps for demolding.

Patent 10,195,772; issued Feb. 5