Patent ID: 8807981

Claim:
An automated system ( 1 ) for changing a mold of a molding unit ( 24 ) with which a machine ( 10 ) for manufacturing containers is provided, said molding unit ( 24 ) comprising: at least two mold holders ( 26 ) which are fitted such as to be mobile between an open position and a closed position of the molding unit ( 24 ), and a mold which comprises at least two molding elements ( 28 ) which are each secured in a removable manner on an associated mold holder ( 26 ) by securing means ( 42 ); a device ( 82 ) for opening and closure of the molding unit ( 24 ), comprising at least one control member ( 84 ) which can displace at least one of the mold holders ( 26 ) between said open and closed positions; and a locking device ( 90 ) of the molding unit ( 24 ) comprising at least one control member ( 92 ) which can actuate locking means ( 98 , 100 ) which are fitted such as to be mobile between: a locked position in which the mold holders ( 26 ) of the molding unit ( 24 ) are kept in the closed position by said locking means; and an unlocked position in which the mold holders ( 26 ) are free to be displaced between the closed and open positions, characterized in that the system ( 1 ) comprises at least one control module (M) comprising at least: a first actuating device ( 122 ) which, associated with the locking device ( 90 ) of the molding unit ( 24 ), comprises first maneuvering means ( 124 ) which, when the molding unit ( 24 ) occupies a predetermined reference position relative to said module (M), co-operate with the control member ( 92 ) of the locking device ( 90 ), in order to control the locking means ( 98 , 100 ) selectively between said locked and unlocked positions, said first maneuvering means ( 124 ) being fitted such as to be mobile relative to the module (M), between at least: a first position (PV 1 ) corresponding to the locked position of the locking means; and a second position (PV 2 ) corresponding to the unlocked position of the locking means; a second actuating device ( 126 ) which, associated with the device ( 82 ) for opening and closure of the molding unit ( 24 ), comprises second maneuvering means ( 128 ) which are distinct from the first maneuvering means ( 124 ) of the first actuating device ( 122 ) and which, when the molding unit ( 24 ) occupies said predetermined reference position relative to said module (M), co-operate with the control member ( 84 ) of the device ( 82 ) for opening and closure in order to control selectively the opening and closure of the molding unit ( 24 ), said second maneuvering means ( 128 ) being fitted such as to be mobile relative to the module (M), between at least: a first position (PL 1 ) corresponding to the closed position of the molding unit ( 24 ); and a second position (PL 2 ) corresponding to the open position of the molding unit ( 24 ).