Preform carrier

Abstract

Disclosed is a preform carrier for carrying a preform used to blow mold plastic bottles and the like. The preform is cylindrical and has an open end defining a neck. The preform carrier includes a base and retaining means for retaining the preform carrier to a pallet used for transporting preforms from one location to another location, such as from a heating station to the blow mold. The preform carrier also has a plurality of resilient gripping fingers extending from the base and adapted to be received through the open end of the perform and to extend into the neck of the perform. The gripping fingers securely and releasably carry the preform from one location to the other location.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A preform carrier for carrying a preform having an open end defining a neck, the preform carrier comprising: 
 (a) a preform carrier base having retaining means for retaining the preform carrier to a pallet used for transporting a plurality of preforms from one location to another location;    (b) a plurality of resilient gripping fingers extending from the preform carrier base and adapted to be received through the open end and to extend into the neck of the preform;    whereby the gripping fingers securely and releasably carry the preform from the one location to the other location.    
     
     
         2 . The preform carrier of  claim 1  comprising at least three gripping fingers.  
     
     
         3 . The preform carrier of  claim 1  comprising twelve gripping fingers.  
     
     
         4 . The preform carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping fingers have an outer most outside edge that generally defines a diameter greater than an inside diameter of the neck of the preform.  
     
     
         5 . The preform carrier of  claim 1  wherein the preform carrier is made of stainless steel, preferably SS 420 grade stainless steel heat-treated to 52 to 54 Rockwell hardness.  
     
     
         6 . The preform carrier of  claim 1  wherein each gripping finger has an inside wall and all the inside walls generally define a cylindrical space, the preform carrier further comprising a cylindrical plug disposed in the cylindrical space.