Abstract:
An auxiliary device and a method for finishing and calibrating preforms that are removed from a multiple tool in an unstable shape, the calibration process being performed with compressed air immediately after removing and withdrawing the preforms from the multiple tool. Nipples that can be inserted into the preforms are provided with expandable press rings or sealing rings in order to seal the interior of the blow-molded part of the preforms. The compressed air is introduced via the nipples, the sealing process being performed by radially expanding the press rings or sealing rings in analogy to the closing process of thermoses, thus protecting the preforms from adverse forces. The sealing point can be randomly selected in the transition zone from the threaded part to the blow-molded part of the preforms. The interior of the blow-molded part is optimally sealed without affecting the form stability and dimensional stability of the preforms.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of prior filed co-pending PCT International Application Number PCT/CH2007/000319, filed Jun. 28, 2007, which designated the United States and has been published, but not in English, as International Publication Number WO 2008/000108, and on which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120, and which claims the priorities of Swiss Patent Applications, Serial No. 1043/06, filed Jun. 29, 2006, Serial No. 121/07, filed Jan. 25, 2007, and Serial No. 759/07, filed May 9, 2007, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an auxiliary device having a gripper with a plurality of nipples, each of which having an insertion part in sleeve-shaped parts, in particular for the after-cooling zone of injection molding machines for producing preforms, whereby the sleeve-shaped parts are embodied as cooling sleeves. 
     The invention further relates to a method for finishing preforms having a threaded part, a necking ring and a blow-molded part,
         which are removed from the open mold halves in a still hot and unstable state,   wherein removal sleeves or cooling sleeves are transferred for exterior cooling,   and which, after insertion, are pressed, by compressed air, onto the interior wall of the removal sleeves or cooling sleeves within the time period of an injection molding cycle and calibrated.       

     Up until two or three decades ago, a strict separation of two phases was performed for the production of preforms:
         Phase 1: The preforms are formed in mold halves by injection molding by means of a hot melt and cooled down in the molds until they can be transferred to an after-cooler without suffering any damage.   Phase 2: The preforms are removed from the open injection molds and transferred to an after-cooler. In practice, three systems have prevailed:   The still hot preforms are directly transferred to cooling sleeves of an after-cooler, which is conceptually similar to a removal robot. Thereby, the after-cooler has a multiple of cooling positions in relation to the number of preforms of an injection molding cycle.   According to a second concept, the still hot preforms are removed from the open molds by a removal robot and transferred to an after-cooler.   According to a third concept, the robot function is divided into a removal gripper with water-cooled removal sleeves and a transfer gripper for the transfer to an after-cooler.       

     In accordance with recent developments, attempts are made to substantially reduce the cycle time of the injection molding machine and to remove the preforms in a soft and unstable state. However, problems that were given less consideration previously have now come to the fore. Due to the physics of the cooling process, the cooling process is uneven within the walls of the preforms:
         As soon as the preforms are removed from the open mold halves, thermal stress in the preforms and deformations occur.   Each engagement by robot-like grippers can lead to form damage.   The same occurs when the preforms are situated horizontally in the after-cooler.       

     Thereby, each engagement in the context of the after-cooling process is extremely delicate work. A comparable example for this are robots with respect to handling raw eggs. The raw eggs must be securely held but, if possible, without applying local compressive forces that could result in breaking the egg shells. 
     In the production of injection-molded parts with injection molding machines, the cooling time is a determining factor for the time period of a full cycle. The first and main cooling performance still occurs in the injecting molds. Both injection mold halves are intensively water-cooled during the injection molding process so that the temperature of the injection molding parts still in the mold can be lowered from e.g., 280° C. to a range from 70° C. to 120° C., at least in the edge layers. In the outer layers, the temperature very quickly goes lower than the so-called glass temperature of about 140° C. In the recent past, the actual injection molding process time until removal of the injection-molded parts could be decreased to about 12 to 15 seconds in the case of preforms with thick walls, and to under 10 seconds in the case of preforms with thin walls, while maintaining optimal qualities with respect to the preforms. The preforms must be solidified in the mold halves to such a degree that they are captured without damage by the output auxiliary devices and transferred to a removal device. The removal device has a shape that conforms to the outer dimensions of the injection-molded parts. The intensive water-cooling in the injection mold halves occurs time-delayed from the outside to the inside, due to the physics of the cooling process. This means that the mentioned range from 70° C. to 120° C. is not uniformly achieved across the entire cross section. As a result, a quick backward-heating process from the inner area to the outer area occurs in the material cross section as soon as the intensive water cooling is interrupted by the molds. The after-cooling process is of utmost significance for two reasons. Deformations should be avoided until a stable storage state is reached. Surface defects such as pressure marks etc. should be avoided too. A cooling process that is too slow in the higher temperature range and locally harmful crystal formations due to the backward-heating process must be prevented too. The objective is a uniform amorphous state in the material of the finished preform. The rest temperature of the finished preforms should be so low that, in large packaging containers with thousands of loose poured-in parts, no pressure damage or adhesion damage can occur at the points of contact. Even after a slight backward-heating process, the injection-molded parts must not exceed a surface temperature of 40° C. The after-cooling process after removal of the hot, unstable preforms from the injection mold is very important for the dimensional stability. 
     WO 2004/041510 proposes an intensive cooling station as well as an after-cooler station and, for the intensive cooling station, cooling pins that can be inserted into the preforms for interior cooling. Thereby, the interior shape of the cooling sleeves conforms to the corresponding interior shape of the injection mold such that the preforms, after removal from the injection molds, can be inserted into the cooling sleeves until they fully contact the walls of the cooling sleeves, with as little play as possible. If the preforms are situated in a lying position in the first phase of the after-cooling process, then they tend to lay themselves in the downward direction onto the respective cooling sleeve part. Due to a more intensive cooling contact in the lower area, the preforms are cooled off more in the lower area so that stress occurs in the preform and so that the preform has a tendency of ovalization If, in the first phase of the after-cooling process with shortened cooling, individual preforms in the injection molds slightly deform, then the respective deformation cannot be corrected anymore while the preforms increasingly solidify. By well directed controlling of the vacuum air and blow air, an inflation pressure can be generated in the interior of the preforms, and the preform can fully contact the entire interior wall surface of the cooling sleeve. After the preforms completely contact the interior wall area of the cooling sleeves, the surface contact is maintained for several seconds and a calibration effect is generated for each individual preform. The calibration effect leads to a high production and quality standard in the production of preforms that was not possible in the previous state of the art. In this manner, the preforms are brought into an exact form again, shortly after removal from the injection molds. Possible dimensional changes are reversed again after the first critical handling of the injection molds in the cooling sleeves. The calibration of the preforms allows for removing the preforms from the molds at still higher temperatures and for achieving a shorter injection molding cycle time. 
     WO 2004/041510 proposes two solution variants for generating an inflation pressure. In accordance with a first variant, a sealing ring is arranged at a cooling pin and/or at a nozzle and brought in contact with the tapered transition in the interior of a preform. In accordance with a second variant, the nozzle has ring-shaped seals which contact the face of the opening edge of the preform. Here, the inflation pressure is exerted on the entire preform. It is a disadvantage of both solutions that, in practice, a very high precision for guiding and moving all nozzles is required in the case of multiple injection molds having, e.g., 100 to 200, mold cavities. 
     EP 900 135 proposes a concept that is analogous to the previously mentioned second solution variant. A certain compressive force and, in addition, a sufficient form rigidity of the threaded part is required in order to seal the opening edge. So as to avoid deformations of the threaded part, the preforms must be kept in the injection molds until a higher form rigidity is achieved. However, this conflicts with shortening the injection mold cycle time. 
     WO 02/051614 describes an exterior cooling of the threaded part of preforms. Thereby, cooling air was blown directly onto the threaded part by way of spray nozzles. In the context of a longer cycle time, however, the exterior cooling of the thread was not necessary. 
     It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved auxiliary device to obviate prior art short-comings and to allow engagement of nipples at the product in a robot-like manner and to ensure, in the case of sleeve-shaped parts, highest qualitative parameters and maximum form accuracy of the parts in the context of the after-cooling of the performs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, an auxiliary device has a gripper with a plurality of at least one of calibration bolts and nipples, each having an insertion part for insertion into sleeve-shaped parts, wherein the sleeve-shaped parts are formed as cooling sleeves and wherein the insertion parts of the nipples have at least one of radially bulged press or sealing rings that are inserted into the sleeve-shaped parts. The auxiliary device includes a respective holding shoulder that is assigned to each of the at least one of press rings and sealing rings on both sides in axial direction of the insertion parts. Therein the holding shoulders are moved towards each other and in relation to each other for the bulging. Further, each nipple has two tube pieces at which ends a respective one of the holding shoulders is attached and the at least one of press rings and sealing rings is mechanically bulged in a manner analogous to a thermos bottle cap. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a method for finishing preforms with a threaded part, a necking ring and a blow-molded part is provided, wherein the method includes removing the preforms from open mold halves in a still hot and unstable state; transferring the preforms to at least one of removal sleeves and cooling sleeves for an outer cooling; after insertion, pressing the preforms by compressed air onto an interior wall of the at least one of the removal sleeves and cooling sleeves within a time period of an injection molding cycle and calibrating; bulging at least one of press rings and sealing rings until contact with an interior wall of the preforms; sealing the interior of the blow-molded part towards the outside by generating a force that is directed radially in a direction of the interior wall; and inserting the at least one of the press rings and sealing rings attached to nipples for calibration, in a position-controlled manner, into each of the preforms in an area between the threaded part and the blow-molded part. Therein, at least one of a calibration bolt and a nipple has two tube pieces at whose ends a respective holding shoulder is attached that are moved towards each other and in relation to each other for the bulging and which mechanically bulge the at least one of the press rings and sealing rings in a manner analogous to a thermos bottle cap. 
     An auxiliary device according to the invention is characterized in that the insertion parts of the nipples have press or sealing rings that can be radially bulged and that can be inserted into the sleeve-shaped parts. 
     The method according to the invention for finishing preforms is characterized in that
         a) for the calibration, press or sealing rings attached to the nipples are inserted, in a position-controlled manner, into each of the preforms in the area between the threaded part and the blow-molded part, whereby   b) the press or sealing rings are bulged until contact with the interior wall of the preforms, and   c) the interior of the blow-molded part is sealed towards the outside by generating a radial force that is directed in the direction of the interior wall.       

     It has been recognized that an auxiliary device in the form of a robot-like gripper must operate for a variety of sleeve-shaped, unstable parts as precisely as the handling of raw eggs, in particular if the parts must be kept free of damage. Engaging the press or sealing rings must be designed such that no pressure marks and/or deformations can occur from the outset. The novel invention is similar to the concept of a thermos bottle cap, in which a hollow glass body must be closed. Thereby, sealed closure is achieved by rotation with the press ring. 
     In addition, it has further been recognized that multiple fundamental functions must be achievable in the same manner, in particular for applications in the area of an after-cooling of the preforms. These are:
         the mere gripping of the preforms and the removal from the cooling sleeves,   the unplugging and plugging in subsequent cooling sleeves,   the calibrating of the preforms via air pressure and   if necessary, an active application of vacuum air and blow air.       

     With reference to the device, a plurality of insertion parts must be simultaneously inserted into the respective sleeve-shaped injection molded parts. Each position deviation of the gripper leads to problems with respect to an optimal inserting and placing of the press or sealing rings. 
     Many conventional approaches with respect to the method failed to achieve the object of an as short as possible cycle time for a complete injection molding cycle. For example, in order for an air blowing device to generate a minimal effect for the interior cooling of the preforms at all, the air blowing device requires at least a few seconds of air blowing time. The injection molding process in the mold cavities requires at least 4 to 5 seconds. The dry run time of an injection mold is about 2 to 3 seconds. For a total cycle time of 10 seconds, a maximum of 2 to 3 seconds remain for air blow cooling, based on 2 to 3 seconds of dry run time. If the desired total cycle time for producing the preforms is even less, then there would be no more time for air blow cooling. 
     The present invention is based on the realization that, in a first approach, calibration can avoid the problems associated with very early removal of preforms from the open molds. The more unstable the preforms are, the more the above-described deformations occur. The softer the hot preform still is, the smaller the required inflation pressure for restoring complete form accuracy. However, the softer the hot preform still is, the less local dents must be generated because they, in turn, can cause negative pressure marks or even deformation. 
     The solution according to the invention avoids the described disadvantages in the state of the art. At least in accordance with preferred embodiments, longitudinal forces in the direction of the preform wall are not transferred by the press or sealing rings and pressure marks are not generated. The novel solution is based on the concept of a thermos bottle cap. The delicate wall material is common to both applications. In one case, it is glass; in the other case, it is the plastic that is still easily deformable. The sealing point does not have to be determined with highest precision but can be slightly optimized. The cooling efficiency increases to a maximum due to the transfer of the preforms from the injection molds to the removal sleeves and the immediate saturated insertion of the preforms into the removal sleeves. The novel inventive method seeks to maintain and restore maximum dimensional stability. Any deformations that occur during the transfer to the cooling sleeves until a sufficient form stability is achieved shall be reversed by the calibration. It is a core approach that everything is done so that the desired geometrical final form of the preform is achieved and/or restored with the highest possible precision and without pressure damage. The novel invention avoids interior air cooling and operates only with gripper forces that do not leave marks behind. It is the big advantage of the novel invention that a massive decrease of the entire cycle time and a corresponding performance increase of the injection molding machine of 20% to 30% is achieved while all quality criteria are fully met. The deformation of the preforms can occur even earlier, in an unstable state of the preforms. 
     Further investigations have shown that field trials of the inventive calibration for simple cylindrical preforms were successful. However, in practice, there is a wide variety of preforms, each of which can necessitate specific treatment. 
     Preforms that have a tapered neck base between the necking ring and the cylindrical blow-molded part have proven to be particularly delicate. 
     Preforms that have an enlargement in the respective neck part are also delicate. 
     In accordance with another advantageous feature of the present invention, the press or sealing rings may be slightly floatingly supported in their non-activated state with respect to the nipples. It is a fact that an injection molding machine per se does not have to be manufactured with highest precision. This is different from, e.g., the injection molding tools and from all of the functions to be performed by the injection molding machine. Each process must be performed with the highest precision. With respect to the press or sealing rings this means that they most have slight play for insertion into the interior of the parts and/or the preforms. Due to the slightly floating support, the press or sealing rings assume an optimal position within the preforms. During activation, each press or sealing ring contacts the interior wall in its optimal position. Thereby, angular pressure with corresponding negative forces is avoided, for example. 
     Each nipple can assume one or more of the following functions:
         a sealing function for the calibration of the preforms,   handling functions, e.g., for unplugging and plugging of the preforms or for the transfer to an after-cooler,   the function for generating excess pressure or negative pressure in the preforms,   a blowing function, if desired.       

     Two embodiments are proposed for the bulging of the press or sealing rings:
         in accordance with the first embodiment, the press or sealing rings are mechanically bulged, analogously to the thermos bottle cap.   in accordance with the second embodiment, the bulging of a balloon-like press or sealing ring is accomplished via a pressure medium.       

     In accordance with the first embodiment, the press or sealing rings may be squeezed in-between two holding shoulders that are movable relative to each other. The sealing shoulders can be moved towards each other with the same stroke so as to avoid axial displacement. Despite massive reduction of the cycle time, the preforms can be after-cooled without damage. No forces are exerted that could be negative with respect to the preform wall. Numerous experiments have confirmed that a floating support of the press or sealing rings does not generate any pressure marks or damaging marks at the preforms, even in the case of fast movements. Advantageously, at least one of the two sealing shoulders is moved by a pneumatic piston. The movable holding shoulder is moved back by a return spring for the rest position of the press or sealing rings. In accordance with the device, each sealing ring of the nipples has its own pneumatic drive, whereby all press or sealing rings can be simultaneously activated. 
     The present invention has the advantage that the nipples are held by the friction being generated. Therefore, the force that results from the inflation pressure does not have to be absorbed via the machine. For the device embodiment, a simultaneous squeezing movement for 100 to 200 caps for the preform opening can be easily performed by a linear movement. This is true even more so as arbitrary forces in terms of the construction of the machine, be it hydraulic or electric forces, can be easily generated and not be transferred to the machine. 
     According to another feature of the present invention, the nipples may be inserted, in a position-controlled manner, into the preforms at a pre-selectable optimal sealing location in an area between the threaded part and the blow-molded part. This ensures that a wide variety of transition shapes between the threaded part and the blow-molded part can be taken into account. The best sealing location is sought at the beginning of each production. After inserting the nipples, the exterior wall of the entire preform-blow molded part must be in wall contact with the corresponding interior wall of the removal sleeve. Therefore, preferably, the preforms are already inserted into the removal sleeves during transfer by the removal sleeves until a complete and saturated interior wall contact of the entire blow-molded part, including the closed bottom part, has been achieved. During the time period of multiple injection mold cycles, the preforms are after-cooled in water-cooled cooling sleeves of an after-cooler, wherein the calibration is performed within the time period of an injection molding cycle and/or limited by the time period of the injection molding cycle. 
     According to another feature of the present invention, each nipple may have two tube pieces that can be moved relative to each other, each end of which having a holding shoulder is securely arranged thereon. For both above-described solution approaches, each nipple has air channels, via which, in a controlled manner, compressed air can be inserted into the interior of the blow-molded parts of the preforms. The actuator-plate is moved in relation to the platform by controlled displacement means so as to simultaneously activate the press or sealing rings. During calibration, the displacement means assume a pure support function. The press or sealing rings keep at the interior side of the preform in a squeezed state. Only a small force of the displacement means for the actuator-plate is sufficient for good sealing. Advantageously, the nipples are arranged, via a common actuator plate, at a platform via which the inwards movement and the outwards movement of the nipples into and out of the preforms, respectively, as well as the positioning of the nipples within the removal sleeves is performed. To this end, controlled drive means are assigned to the platform so as to position the press or sealing rings in a normal penetration depth and/or at an optimal location. 
     According to another feature of the present invention, the preforms may be removed from the removal sleeves and transferred to the cooling sleeves of an after-cooler when sufficient form stability is achieved but within the time period of an injection molding cycle. After calibration, the press or sealing rings can be relaxed and the pressure in the interior of the blow-molded parts can be released. Via the air channels, negative pressure can be generated via the nipples and the preforms can be transferred to the after-cooler by means of the nipples. Hereby the nipple does not have a cooling function. Preferably, there is no air exchange between the interior of the preform and the ambient air during the short calibration time period. The nipples have air channels, via which a negative pressure is generated in the preforms for preform removal. Within the nipples, the air channel for the compressed air and the vacuum air can be the same. Preferably, the tube pieces can be moved into each other, wherein the inner tube piece has at least one air channel. With respect to the concept of the first solution approach, the device has a first controllable removal gripper having a number of removal sleeves that matches at least the number of injection positions of the injection molds. The device is equipped with a controllable compressed air connector so as to generate an inflation pressure in the interior of the preforms for calibrating the preforms as well as a controllable connector for vacuum air, wherein the preforms are removable from the removal sleeves by the nipples after switching to negative pressure instead of the inflation pressure. In this concept, the device has a removal gripper, an after-cooler, and a transfer gripper for the transfer and/or the unplugging and plugging of the preforms from the removal gripper to the after-cooler for complete cooling of the preforms, independently of the injection molding cycle. 
     According to yet another feature of the present invention, the device may have an after-cooler that is embodied as a removal robot and that has a multiple number of cooling positions in relation to the injection positions of the injection molds. Thereby, the hot preforms to be transferred are inserted into respective free cooling positions, calibrated, intensively cooled and output after complete cooling. Here, by means of controlled vacuum air and compressed air, the nipples can support the outputting of the completely cooled preforms from the removal sleeves as well as the transferring of the completely cooled preforms to a conveyor belt. In accordance with the second embodiment too, the press rings and sealing rings are relaxed after calibration, the pressure in the interior of the blow-molded parts is released, and the nipples are moved outwards and held in a waiting position until the after-cooler is newly positioned for a new charge of preforms for the subsequent injection molding cycle. 
     Calibration of the preforms can be implemented by compressed air and limited in its time period by the injection molding cycle. The pressing and calibration of the still soft preforms has major advantages:
         First, by the tight pressing of the exterior skin of the preforms onto the interior, water-cooled removal sleeve, maximum heat transfer and maximum cooling effects are ensured.   Second, the exterior dimensions of the preforms are exactly restored by the calibration, and are maintained during the subsequent form solidification.   Third, the physical quality parameters are ensured by quickly passing through the so-called glass temperature.   Fourth, due to generating a strongly cooled exterior material layer, sufficient form stability of the preforms for the subsequent handling of the removal sleeves in the cooling sleeves of an after-cooler as well as subsequent output onto a conveyor belt are achieved.       

     In accordance with another advantageous feature of the present invention, the water-cooled removal sleeves may have ventilation channels for corresponding exterior cooling of the respective preform area in the area between the threaded part and the blow-molded part and an air connector for the ventilation channels. Depending on the geometric shape of the preforms, the ventilation channels are arranged in the transition area between the threaded part and the necking ring and/or in the transition area between the necking ring and the blow-molded part. Preferably, the water-cooled removal sleeves are made of standardized parts such that, on a case-by-case basis, customized guiding rings for the ventilation channels can be used for cooling the transition area between the threaded part and the necking ring and/or the transition area between the necking ring and the blow-molded part. 
     With respect to the method, it is proposed to apply exterior air-cooling of the preforms in the area between the threaded part and the blow-molded part immediately after the transfer of the preforms to the cooling sleeves of the removal gripper until the end of the calibration. Preferably, for calibration purposes, press or sealing rings that are arranged at the nipples are inserted, in a position-controlled manner, into the preforms until the transition area between the threaded part and the necking ring or until the transition area between the necking ring and the blow-molded part. In combination, the preforms are already cooled from the outside after insertion into the cooling sleeves and during calibration from the outside in the transition area between the threaded part and the necking ring and/or until the transition area between the necking ring and the blow-molded part. It is an especially particular advantage that, still prior to the calibration at the critical support-less parts of the preforms and immediately after the transfer from the open mold halves to the cooling sleeves, the exterior skin of the preforms is immediately solidified harder so that the gripper forces have no negative effect on the respective areas. 
     In the case of preforms that have an expanding neck, the transition area between the threaded part and the necking ring is air-cooled from the outside. Here, the preforms are inserted until the necking rings contact the face of cooling sleeves, wherein the cooling sleeves are formed such that a gap of a few tenths of millimeters remains between the bottom part of the performs and the corresponding bottom part of the cooling sleeves that can be reversed by the calibration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a device according to the present invention in standby position before calibration of preforms; 
         FIG. 2a  is an enlarged sectional view of a detail, showing the start of an insertion movement of a nipple into a preform; 
         FIG. 2b  is a sectional view of the detail of  FIG. 2a , showing an optimal positioning of a nipple in an essentially cylindrical preform; 
         FIG. 3a  is an enlarged sectional view of the detail of  FIG. 2b ; 
         FIG. 3b  is a sectional view of the nipple functioning as a calibration nipple with a press or sealing ring in a squeezed and/or bulged state, wherein the interior of the preform-blow-molded part is closed air-tight for adequate pressure build-up of, e.g., 0.5 bar; 
         FIG. 4a  is a sectional view of a differently configured thick-walled preform having corresponding positioning of the nipple and/or the sealing ring; 
         FIG. 4b  is a sectional view of the thick-walled preform with the inflation pressure being released and the sealing ring being relaxed; 
         FIG. 4c  is a sectional view, showing the removal of a preform by means of a nipple functioning as a holding nipple; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of an example for a first solution approach having an additional after-cooler; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view of an example for a second solution approach, in which the removal robot is embodied as an after-cooler; 
         FIG. 7a  is a schematic view of a solution with a mechanical/pneumatic activation of both holding shoulders with two pneumatic pistons; 
         FIG. 7b  is a schematic view of the nipple of  FIG. 7a  on an enlarged scale with a floatingly arranged press or sealing ring; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a solution with an inflatable press or sealing ring as well as a pressure relief valve for ensuring the inflation pressure in the press ring and/or the sealing ring; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a solution with an inflatable press or sealing ring having two separate feeds for the pressure medium for the inflation pressure as well as for the calibration; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view, showing a nipple functioning as a calibration nipple that is positioned in a cooling sleeve having an exaggerated skewed position, wherein the sealing ring and/or the press ring is bulged, and showing a first embodiment of securing the nipple at the auxiliary device; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view of a second embodiment of securing the nipple at the auxiliary device; 
         FIG. 12a  is a sectional view, showing an exterior cooling of the transition area between the threaded part and the blow-molded part of the preforms; 
         FIG. 12b  is a partial section of  FIG. 12a  on a larger scale; 
         FIG. 12c  is a sectional view, showing an optimally inserted nipple in accordance with  FIGS. 12a and 12b ; 
         FIG. 13a  is a sectional view, showing an exterior air-cooling at a preform having an expanding neck part; 
         FIG. 13b  is an enlarged cutaway view of the area encircled in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIGS. 14a ,  14 b and  14 c show schematic illustrations of an optimal insertion location of the press or sealing rings as well as the outside cooling, wherein, additionally, in the  FIGS. 14b and 14c , an exterior air-cooling of the delicate non-supported is areas occurs. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Throughout all the figures, same or corresponding elements may generally be indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way. It should also be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. 
       FIGS. 1 and 5  schematically show an injection molding machine for preforms with the following main elements: a machine bed  1 , on which a support plate  4  and a fixed form platen  2  and an injection unit  3  are supported. A movable form platen  5  is axially movable and supported on the machine bed  1 . The two plates  2  and  4  are connected with each other by bars  6  that are fed through the movable form platen  5 . A drive unit  7  is arranged between the support plate  4  and the movable form platen  5  so as to generate closure pressure. The fixed form platen  2  and the movable form platen  5  each have a mold half  8  and/or  9 , between which a multitude of cavities can be defined to produce a corresponding number of sleeve-shaped injection molded parts. The injection molded parts  10  are produced in the cavities between the bolts  26  and the cavities  27 . After the mold halves  8  and  9  are opened, the sleeve-shaped injection molded parts  10  stick to the bolts  26 . The same injection molded parts  10  are shown in the upper left part of  FIG. 5  in a completely cooled state where they are in the process of being output from an after-cooler device  19 . To illustrate the details better, the upper bars  6  are interrupted between the open mold halves. In accordance with the solution pursuant to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the four method steps for the injection molded parts  10  after completion of the injection molding process according to a first solution approach are as follows: 
     “A” is the removal of the injection molded parts or preforms  10  from the two mold halves. A removal device  11  that is lowered in the space between the open mold halves receives the still malleable parts ( FIG. 1 ) and lifts them into the position “B” ( FIG. 5 ). 
     “B” is the phase of calibration and intensive cooling ( FIG. 3b ). 
     “B”/“C” is the transfer of the preforms  10  from the removal device  11  to the transfer gripper  12  as well as the transfer of the preforms  10  from the transfer gripper  12  to an after-cooler device  19 , in accordance with the first solution approach ( FIG. 5 ). 
     “D” is the output of the cooled preforms  10  that were brought into a stable state from the after-cooler device  19  ( FIG. 5 ). 
       FIGS. 1 and 5  show snapshots, so to speak, of the main steps for the handling in accordance with the first solution approach. In the position “B”, the vertically stacked injection molded parts  10  are received by the transfer gripper  12  and/or  12 ′ and brought into a standing position, in accordance with phase “C”, by pivoting the transfer device in the direction of the arrow P. The transfer gripper  12  has a platform  17  that is pivotable about an axis  13  and that supports an actuator plate  16 , wherein the platform  17  and the actuator plate  16  are arranged at a distance parallel to each other. Via a drive and/or displacement means  18 , the actuator plate  16  can be moved outwards and parallel in relation to the platform  17  so that, in the position “B”, the sleeve-shaped injection molded parts  10  can be taken from the removal device  11  and moved into the after-cooler device  19  arranged above, in a position that is pivoted into the position “C”. Each transfer is accomplished by changing the distance “S” between the actuator plate  16  and the platform  17 . The still hot injection molded parts  10  are completely cooled in the after-cooler device  19  and, after moving the after-cooler device  19 , output and thrown onto a conveyer belt  20  in the position “D”. The reference numeral  23  designates the water cooling arrangement with respective supply lines and discharge lines, which, for simplification, are suggested by arrows and considered known. The reference numerals  24 / 25  designate the air side, whereby the reference numeral  24  refers to the “blowing in”, i.e., the supply of compressed air, and whereby the reference numeral  25  refers to the vacuum, i.e., the air suction ( FIGS. 4a and 4c ). 
       FIG. 1  shows a situation after the removal device  11  is retracted from the open mold halves  8  and  9  and the beginning of the calibration and the intensive cooling. Thereby, the platform  17  with the nipples  30  is already in a standby position for the insertion movement into the preforms  10  in accordance with arrow  31 . Via an arm  14 , the platform  17  is supported on a displacement device  32  and linear guiding rails  33  on a support console  36  and moved parallel in relation to the machine axis  37  via a linear drive  34 . The linear drive  34  is on its rear side anchored to a lug of the support plate  4 . When the linear drive  34  is activated, the nipples  30  are moved towards or away from the removal device  11  (according to arrow  31 ). Displacement means  18  are assigned to the actuator plate  16  whose only function it is to squeeze and relax the press or sealing rings  56 . 
     In the following, reference is made to  FIGS. 2a and 2b :  FIG. 2a  shows the situation in accordance with  FIG. 1 , i.e., the start of the insertion movement of a nipple  30  into the preform  10  that is located in a removal sleeve  40 . The blow-molded part  43  of the preform  10  snugly rests upon the interior wall  45  of the removal sleeve  40 , including the closed bottom part. The threaded part  44  protrudes from the removal sleeve  40 . With respect to the entire after-cooling of the preform  10 , the threaded part  44  is less problematic than the blow-molded part  43 . As a rule, the threaded part  44  has a handling function only in the subsequent methods steps (after-cooling process and blowing process). By contrast, maximum dimensional accuracy, both for the handling and for the blowing tool, is required from the blow-molded part  43 . Due to the extended hollow shape, the blow-molded part  43  is much more in danger with respect to damage to its form. The short threaded part  44  is reinforced with threads.  FIG. 2b  shows a situation, in which the nipple  30  is inserted at an optimal sealing position  46 . The optimal sealing position  46  is located at the open end of the removal sleeve  40 . 
       FIGS. 3a and 3b  illustrate a nipple&#39;s function as calibration bolts  30 .  FIG. 3a  corresponds to  FIG. 2b . Both show the end of the insertion movement of the calibration bolt and/or nipple  30  into the preforms  10 . Sufficient play “Sp” exists between the blow head  51  and the interior form of the preform so that the blow head  51  can be inserted without damage to the surface of the preform&#39;s interior side. The entire calibration bolt  30  has a support tube  52  and a press sleeve  53  that can be longitudinally moved in relation to the support tube  52 , wherein the press sleeve  53  has a press or sealing ring  56 . Support bodies  54 ,  55  are arranged at the outer end of the support tube  52 . A highly elastic rubber body and/or sealing ring  56 , which, in essence, has a short cylindrical shape in its relaxed state, is located between the support bodies  54 ,  55 . After the blow head  51  has reached its position  46 , the press or sealing ring  56  is squeezed between the support bodies  54 ,  55  by mechanically moving the press sleeve  53  forward so that the press or sealing ring  56  bulges ( FIG. 3b ). Due to the bulging, a sealed closure is generated, analogous to the closure of thermos bottles. As soon as the sealed closure is generated, compressed air is blown into the interior of the preform  10  via the support tube  52  and minimal interior pressure is generated, which is indicated by the + sign. As a result of the interior pressure, the still malleable preforms  10  contact the interior surface of the cooling sleeves in a completely saturated manner and define an ideal heat transition.  FIG. 3b  shows the bulging of the rubber body and/or the sealing ring  56 . The reference numerals  57 ,  57 ′,  57 ″ designate the sealing location at the sealing ring. 
     Based on the statements above, the following applies to the preforms  10  from the moment of removal from the open mold halves:
         best possible cooling circumstances at any time;   aside from a brief interruption, the preform is pressed onto the interior cooling surfaces of the removal sleeves  40  immediately after shifting from the open mold halves into the cooling sleeves until insertion of the nipples during the calibration phase;   the brief interruption for a 100% contact of the preform  10  is compensated for again by the calibration that takes much longer;   after calibration, the preforms  10  are already in a stable state. Therefore, after the calibration, the preforms  10  stay dimensionally intact in their outer geometric form until they reach their completely cooled state.       

     If the water cooling circuits are extended to a maximum degree
         in the injection molds,   in the area of the injection mold cavities and in the injection mold bolt as well as   in the removal sleeve
 
a maximum intensive effect is generated. Thereby, it is not the objective to completely cool the preforms  10  within an injection molding cycle. However, it is sought to bring the preforms  10  into a state that they can be dumped, stored and transported by the end of the after-cooling process, which is two to three times longer.
       

     This leads to big advantages:
         the prerequisite for an extreme reduction of the cycle time,   thus, a further increase in the productivity of the injection molding machine,   maximum dimensional stability of the preforms,   as well as the best possible qualitative characteristics of the preforms, e.g., with respect to crystallinity, dimensional stability and freedom from damage.       

       FIGS. 4a and 4b  illustrate another exterior shape of a preform  10 ′. The preform  10 ′ is a thick-walled preform, which has a tapered transition in the neck-like transition of the blow-molded part  43  to the thread. Because the perform  10 ′ in inserted into and removed from the removal sleeve in the axial direction, a support for the corresponding blow-molded part  47  is missing in the area of the neck-like transition. Therefore, the nipple  30  is positioned at a sealing location  49  in the transition between the conical transition  47  and the cylindrical blow-molded part  48 . 
       FIG. 4c  shows the removal of preforms  10  from the removal sleeves  40  by means of the nipple  30  functioning as a holding nipple. Via the nipple  30 , the interior of the blow-molded part is set to negative pressure and/or the preform  10  is sucked onto the nipple  30  (− sign). A centering ring  58  is arranged at the rear end of the support tube  52 , which fits exactly the open end of the preform  10  and which holds the preforms precisely on the nipples  30 . On the opposite side of the preform  10 , compressed air is provided onto the closed preform end (+ sign). The preform  10  moves the actuator plate until the stop collar  50  and can be completely removed from the removal sleeve  40  and transferred to the after-cooler  19 , for example, or output by switching to compressed air in accordance with the second solution variant. 
       FIG. 5  shows a station at the end of the injection molding process with open mold halves  8  and/or  9 . The temperature of the preforms  10  was lowered in the tool with maximum cooling effect. The preforms  10  may very well still be unstable such that they can collapse under the effect of the smallest external force when they are immediately output after the mold opens. At the end of the injection molding process, the removal device is already in start position ( FIG. 1 ). After the mold opens, the removal device can then be lowered between the open mold halves without time delay ( FIG. 5 ). In the solution shown in  FIG. 5 , an independent after-cooler device  19  is used, in which the still hot preforms  10  are completely cooled during  3  to  4  injection molding cycles. A transfer gripper  12  transfers in the phase “B”/“C” of  FIG. 5  the preforms  10  to the after-cooler device  19 . The after-cooling of the preforms takes place in water-cooled sleeves. 
     In  FIG. 5 , the horizontal plane is referenced with EH and the vertical plane is referenced with EV. The horizontal plane EH is defined by the two coordinates X and Y, and the vertical plane is defined by the coordinates Y and Z. The Z coordinate is vertical and the X coordinate is transverse in relation thereto. The transfer gripper  12  performs a pivoting movement as well as a linear movement in the X coordinate. Additionally, the transfer gripper  12  can be formed with a controlled movement in the Y coordinate. Because the transfer gripper  12  already has a controlled movement in the X coordinate, the exact positioning of the preforms  10 , which are located on the nipples  30  of the transfer gripper  12 , in the X-direction can be performed by a correspondingly controlled/regulated movement. In this case, for the transfer of the preforms  10  to the after-cooler  19 , the after-cooler  19  is driven to a fixed position in the X-direction and the transfer gripper  12  is controlled/regulated in the Y-direction and brought into the respective desired position. In the preferred embodiment, the movement means for the after-cooler  19  for the two coordinates X and Y can be controlled/regulated for the two coordinates X and Y for exact positioning for the transfer of the performs  10 . Therein, the transport gripper  12  is put in a respective fixed transfer position. 
     In this context, reference is made to WO 2004/041510. 
     It is another important aspect of the new method that the removal sleeves  40  have maximum circulation cooling  42  and that an optimal contact is made between the exterior side of the preform and the cooling cavity  41 . Thereby, the preform  10  is evenly and forceably pressed into the cooling cavity  41  ( FIG. 4b ). The preform  10  is so far inserted into the cooling cavity  41  until the entire blow-molded part  43 , including the bottom part, has saturated wall contract.  FIG. 6  shows an after-cooler concept with compact construction according to the second solution approach. With respect to the injection molding machine, the solution can equal the solution of  FIG. 5 , which is why the same parts have the same reference numerals. An after-cooler  60  having a multitude of cooling sleeves  21  has a vertical transfer plane, i.e., a plane within the coordinates X and Y. In the illustrated position, the two mold halves  8  and  9  are in an open state so that the after-cooler  60  can drive into the free intermediate space  62  between the mold halves. The after-cooler  60  has a total of three movement axes, namely a horizontal movement axis in the Y-coordinate, a vertical movement axis in the Z-coordinate and a rotary axis  63  that can be coordinated by a machine control  90 . The rotary axis  63  merely serves to output the completely cooled performs  10  onto a transport band  20 . The rotary axis  63  is supported in relation to a base plate. The movement means for the vertical movement include a vertical drive  65 . The vertical drive  65  is slideable on a base plate  66  of a horizontal drive  67 . The horizontal drive  67  has an AC servomotor with a vertical axis. Via four sliding members, the base plate  66  is supported on two parallel slide rails so that the base plate  66  can be moved back and forth. On the right hand side of the drawing, the base plate  66  has a base plate part that extends vertically upwards at which the vertical drive  65  is anchored. The vertical drive  65  also has an AC servomotor with a horizontal axis. 
     The after-cooler device in accordance with  FIG. 6  has multiple rows that are arranged parallel to each other. In the illustrated example,  12  cooling sleeves are shown in each vertical row. The cooling sleeves  21  can be arranged much closer with respect to the circumstances in the injection molded parts. Therefore, not only are multiple parallel rows shown but, in addition, an offset of the rows is proposed. This means that, for a first injection molding cycle, the cooling pipes are designated with the numerals  1 ; for a second injection molding cycle, the cooling pipes are designated with the numerals  2 , etc. For example, if all rows with the numeral  3  are filled by four parallel rows, then the rows with the numerals I are prepared for output onto the conveyor belt  20 , as described. The rest applies analogously to the entire production time. In the illustrated example, the entire after-cooling time is in the magnitude of three to four times the injection molding time. The air pressure conditions and/or the negative pressure conditions in the after-cooler device  19  must be controllable, row-by-row, so that, at a given point in time, all rows  1  and/or  2 , etc. can be simultaneously activated. In addition to the accuracy of path regulation of the after-cooler  19  as well as the platform  17 , it is important that the acceleration and delay functions are optimally controlled. Display takes place in a command device of the machine control, i.e., the machine computer  90 . Any aspect of movement processes can be optimized. This refers to, for example, Start and Stop, but also, above all, to accelerations and delays with respect to velocity and path.  FIG. 6  allows for another possibility of removing the preforms  10  from the after-cooler  19  and/or the removal robot  60 . The preforms  10  can be removed from the cooling sleeves  21  by the nipples  30  and output onto the conveyor belt  20 . With respect to the construction of the after-cooler  19 , reference is made to EP 1 312 159. 
     It is an important aspect of the new solution that the preforms  10  are inserted into the removal sleeves  40  in a saturated manner until the closed bottom of the preform rests. The nipples  30  perform no function with respect to the insertion of the preforms  10  into the removal sleeves  40 . 
       FIG. 7a  shows another embodiment for the bulging of the press or sealing rings  56 . The stroke movement for the two holding shoulders  54 ,  55  is generated by two small pneumatic pistons  70 ,  71  that are arranged in a pneumatic cylinder  72 . By a ring-shaped shoulder  73 , the pneumatic cylinder  72  is divided into a front cylinder side  74  and a rear cylinder side  75 . An air chamber  76  exists between the two cylinder sides, into which compressed air is supplied via a supply bore  77 . The compressed air supply is supplied and/or released again via a control in the context of an injection molding cycle process. When compressed air is supplied, the pneumatic pistons  70 ,  71  are moved in accordance with arrows  78  and  79  so that the holding shoulders  54 ,  55  are moved towards each other by half a stroke via the connection piece  80  and so that the press or sealing ring  56  is bulged. Preferably, the press or sealing ring  56  is made of silicon rubber. The silicon rubber has enough elasticity and stable long-term. In order to ensure a clearly defined functioning of the press ring and/or the sealing ring  56  over a longer period of time, a return spring  81 ,  82  is provided for each pneumatic piston  70 ,  71 , which, after each sealing phase, moves the press or sealing ring  56  back into the rest position. The holding shoulders  54 ,  55  assume a synchronization function for the entire gripper. As a result, the ring-shaped sealing locations  57  do not experience any displacement in the direction of the axis  83  during the active introduction of the sealing. Thereby, any local load in the longitudinal direction of the preform cross-section is avoided. If the return spring  81  is constructed somewhat stronger, a small pulling force is transferred to the preform  10  at the end of the calibration phase. This facilitates the start of the pulling movement. 
       FIG. 7b  shows an insertion part of the nipple  30  in accordance with  FIG. 7a  on a larger scale. The typical characteristic is the floating support of the press or sealing ring  56 . Based on the investigations thus far,  FIGS. 7a and 7b  show the best shape of a nipple  30  with press or sealing rings  56 . The press ring  56  is held on both end sides by means of loose support rings  100 . The two lose support rings  100  have an inner diameter “D”, which is larger than the outer diameter “d” of the support tube  52  by a small amount of play. In the longitudinal direction too, a play “Sp” exists between the support ring  100  and the connection piece  80 . Thereby, the press or sealing ring  56  achieves a freedom of movement in its inactive state in the sense of a slight wobbling or floating according to arrow  101 . This results automatically in an optimal ring-shaped sealing location  57 ,  57 ′ or  57 ″ at the press or sealing ring  56 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a nipple  30  with an inflatable sealing ring  95 . Compressed air is supplied into the interior of the sealing ring  95  via a transverse bore  91  to the air channel  93  so that the sealing ring  95  bulges. To ensure a sufficient inflation pressure, a spring-loaded relief pressure valve  92  is arranged at the output end of the nipple  30 . As soon as the interior pressure exceeds the set air pressure for the bulging of the sealing ring  95 , compressed air is pressed into the blow-molded part of the preform  10  via the relief pressure valve. 
       FIG. 9  shows a variant of  FIG. 8 . The pressure medium for bulging the sealing ring  95  is supplied via a separate air channel  94 . Thus, the relief pressure valve is obsolete. The advantage of the solution in accordance with  FIG. 9  is that two different media can be used for the sealing ring  95  and/or the inflation pressure. This can have advantages, for example, with respect to an additional cooling effect. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates in a completely exaggerated manner possible inaccuracies in the position of the nipple  30 . The big advantage is that local pressure marks between the press ring and/or the sealing ring  56  and the preform  10  are avoided by this skewed position. The press or sealing ring  56  always conforms to the interior side of the preform. 
       FIG. 10  shows a nipple  10  in a completely exaggerated skewed position. As can be seen from the illustrated exaggeration, such a “skewed position” would have no negative effect since the press ring and/or the sealing ring  56  automatically adapts due to the above-described play. The optimal area for the press or sealing ring  56  in which an activation occurs is indicated by the letter “E”.  FIG. 10  shows the support of a nipple  30  at an actuator plate  16 . A cylinder socket  121  is arranged in a bore  120  in the actuator plate  16 . Via a landing  122 , the inner tube  52  sits on a bottom plate  123  of the actuator plate  16  and is securely connected with a clamping screw  124 . A pneumatically movable piston  125  is located within the cylinder socket  121 . An outer tube piece  30  is connected to the piston  125 . A holding shoulder  54  is connected to the end of the outer tube piece  30 . The cylinder socket  121  and the tube piece  30  are sealed to the outside by a gliding ring  126 . The tube piece  30  is pneumatically movable. By contrast, the cylinder socket  121  is fixedly held in the bore  120  via a spring ring and/or clamp ring  127 . 
     The essential difference between the  FIGS. 10 and 11  is that there is no cylinder socket in  FIG. 11 . The piston is movable directly in the bore  120  and guided in an airtight manner. 
       FIGS. 12a ,  12 b, and  12 c illustrate an outside cooling of the preforms  10  in the not uncritical transition  47  between the threaded part  44  and the blow-molded part  43  ( FIG. 12b ). Many preforms  10  have an exterior conical taper  110  in this section. In this sense, this conical taper  110  is disadvantageous because the section  47  of the taper has no support. There is no contact with the interior wall  111  of the cooling sleeves. Cooling air can be blown in via an air connector  112  and released to the outside again via a cooling channel  113 ,  113 ′. This additional cooling has the big advantage that it can be effectively used from the first moment of transferring the preforms  10  to the cooling sleeves  21  and, in addition, over the entire calibration time period. By additional reinforcement of the respective outer side of the preform, a possible deformation is countered due to the press force of the press or sealing ring  56 . The most notable constructive difference to a “normal” cooling sleeve is that an air supply ring  114  is arranged in the open outlet area. At the inner side of the air guiding ring  114 , a cooling channel is arranged around the respective preform part from the location of the air connector  112  to the release location  113 ′ to the outside. Thereby, the cooling air is purposefully applied to the entire respective outer side of the preforms. 
       FIG. 12c  shows the direct connection between the function of the nipple  30  as a calibration nipple and the section  47  of the preforms. The conical outer part of the preform  10  is immediately after the removal of the cooling sleeves specially cooled in advance and the outer wall layer is solidified. This gives the entire preform at the tapered transition  47  a higher form stability. The air guiding ring  114  is held towards the outside within the head part of the cooling sleeve  21 . During assembly, the air guiding ring  114  with the inner sleeves of the cooling sleeve  21  is inserted from right to left in accordance with  FIGS. 12a and 12b . 
       FIGS. 13a and 13b  show a preform  10 x having a conically expanded neck piece  136 .  FIG. 13b  is a section magnification “×” of  FIG. 13a . In this type of preform, the expanded neck piece already belongs to the blow-molded part and contacts the interior wall of the cooling sleeve  130  during the calibration. The cooling sleeve interior wall gives the preform ( 10 x) its definitive outer shape. The entire blow-molded part of the preform ( 10 x) is in contact up until the necking ring  137 . 
     The optimal sealing location of the press or sealing ring ( 56 ) is located in the area of the cylindrical section of the necking ring. Thereby, however, this part is jeopardized with respect to deformations during the bulging of the press ring and/or the sealing ring ( 56 ), since this part is not supported from the outside. Here, the additional exterior air cooling (KL) takes effect, as shown from  FIG. 14b . Due to the air cooling in the area between the threaded part ( 44 ) and the necking ring, the outer skin of the preform ( 10 x) has a somewhat higher rigidity because the corresponding blow cooling already occurs before calibration. 
     This applies in analogous manner to a solution in accordance with  FIGS. 14b  and/or  12 c. By contrast, in the case of a cylindrical blow-molded part, exterior cooling can normally be avoided ( FIG. 14a ). 
       FIG. 13a  shows another interesting embodiment idea. The cooling sleeve is assembled from standardized parts and has an interior cooling sleeve  130 , an exterior cooling sleeve  121  and a casing sleeve  132  as well as a head ring  133 , with which the air channels (gap SP) are formed. The interior cooling sleeve ( 130 ) is designed and a respective head ring  133  and/or  144  is attached, depending on the shape of the preform ( 10 x). The lowest thread is designated with the reference numeral  138 , and the base of the actuator plate and the sealing rings are designated with the reference numerals  134  and  1351  respectively. 
     In accordance with the example of  FIGS. 13a and 13b , the cooling sleeve  10 x is designed such that a minimal gap  139  of a few tenths of millimeters remains at the bottom part after insertion of the preforms into the cooling sleeves. By contrast, here the necking ring  137  already completely contacts the face of the cooling sleeve  130  during insertion. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with currently preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application to thereby enable a person skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.