Patent ID: 8567589

Claim:
Blow molding machine for containers, in particular bottles, comprising a conveyor path carrying mandrel holders, pre-forming mandrels attached at the mandrel holders by means of releasable couplings in an exchangeable manner, and each coupling having a mandrel clamping mechanism and a releasing element accessible from outside that can be adjusted at least relative to the mandrel holder for releasing the clamping mechanism, wherein the clamping mechanism is a ball joint lock with at least one ball and each at least one ball is arranged in a passage of the mandrel holder between a surface in the mandrel holder one of oblique or conical with respect to the axis of the mandrel holder in a pull-off direction of the pre-forming mandrel and the mandrel push-in seat that is open at one end; the passage being a bore that narrows from an outside to an inside in a wall of the mandrel holder limiting the mandrel push-in seat inside, and a ball clearance zone provided between the wall and the one of oblique or conical surface; and the releasing element being a movable sleeve that engages in the ball clearance zone from one end and is guided on the wall, the sleeve being supported in the mandrel holder such that it cannot be pulled out and is directed to the ball.