WO2001089792A1

WO2001089792A1 - Mobile tooling base

Info

Publication number: WO2001089792A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/016998
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas L. Sunderland; Frank Kritzer; Witold Nowicki; Walter Priest
Original assignee: Uniloy Milacron Inc
Current assignee: Uniloy Milacron Inc
Priority date: 2000-05-24
Filing date: 2001-05-24
Publication date: 2001-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 2002-11-24
Also published as: AU2001264972A1; EP1289724A1

Abstract

A moveable tooling base for storing and transporting tooling for a blow-molding machine includes a sub-base (12) having a top surface (14) and a bottom surface, and being adapted to support tooling. The sub-base further includes a first support (24) and a second support spaced apart and extending upward from the top surface and including features adapted to secure the tooling to the sub-base. A tool carrier is mountable to the sub-base and adapted to further secure the tooling to the sub-base. The tool carrier includes a top plate with a top surface and a bottom surface and a first leg and second leg extending downward from the bottom surface to engage the sub-base. The sub-base includes a channel formed within the bottom surface adapted for connecting to a supply of pressurized air. The tooling carrier includes an aperture adapted for engagement with a device to lift and transport the tooling base.

Description

MOBILE TOOLING BASE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to a tooling base for supporting an assembled tooling stack for a blow-molding machine and allowing the tooling stack, while mounted to the tooling base, to be readily moved and easily loaded into the blow-molding machine.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Blow-molding machines typically incorporate a number of different tooling components that cooperate during the blow-molding process to produce the finished blow-molded product. The various components are stacked on top of each other within the molding station of the blow-molding machine. These components are made from steel or cast iron typically, and are therefore heavy and cumbersome to move and assemble into the machine. When the tooling within the blow-molding machine is to be changed, the stack of tooling components must be disassembled and removed from the machine piece by piece, thereby making the change-over time for the blow- molding machine lengthy.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need in the industry for an improved method of loading and unloading the tooling for a blow-molding machine to make a change-over of the blow-molding machine easier and less time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a quick change tooling base for storing and moving a tooling stack into a blow-molding machine includes a sub-base for supporting the tooling stack for a blow-molding machine. The sub-base includes features adapted to attach the tooling to the sub-base as well as features adapted to attach the sub-base to the blow-molding machine. A plurality of channels are further formed within the bottom surface of the sub-base and are adapted to connect to a supply of pressurized air. Upon pressurization when the sub- base is resting upon a support surface, the sub-base is forced to rise above the surface and is thereafter supported upon a layer of pressurized air, allowing the tooling base, with the tooling stack thereon, to be readily moved over the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sub-base according to the present invention;

[0006] FIG. 2A is a front view of the tooling base shown with a complete stack of tooling components mounted therein;

[0007] FIG. 2B is an end view of the tooling base shown in FIG. 2A; [0008] FIG. 3A is a partial side view of the sub-base of FIG. 1 ; [0009] FIG. 3B is an end view of the sub-base of FIG. 1 ; and [0010] FIG. 3C is a partial top view of the sub-base of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0011]The following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to this preferred embodiment, but rather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention.

[0012] Referring to the figures, a quick change tooling base for storing and moving tooling into a blow-molding machine is shown generally at 10. Referring to FIGS. 1 , 3A, 3B and 3C, the tooling base 10 includes a sub-base 12 having a top surface 14, a bottom surface 16, and opposing first 18 and second 20 ends. The top surface 14 is adapted to support a tooling stack 22 (hereafter referred to as "tooling") thereon. A first support 24 and a second support 26 extend upward from the top surface 14 of the sub-base 12. The first and second supports 24, 26 are spaced apart from each other with the first support 24 being located toward the first end 18 and the second support 26 being located toward the second end 20. The first and second supports 24, 26 include features formed therein to secure the tooling 22 to the sub- base 12 and to secure the sub-base 12 to the blow-molding machine.

[0013] In the preferred embodiment, the sub-base 12 includes a plurality of first threaded bores 28 formed within the top surface 14. The first threaded bores 28 are adapted to receive a threaded fastener which will extend through the tooling 22, thread into the first threaded bores 28, and attach the tooling 22 to the sub-base 12. The sub- base 12 further includes a plurality of first through bores 30 formed within the top surface 14. The first through bores 30 are adapted to receive a threaded fastener which will thread into a threaded bore on the blow-molding machine to attach the tooling base 10 to the blow-molding machine.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 2A and 2B, the tooling base 10 further includes a tooling carrier 32 which mounts to the sub-base 12 to further secure the tooling 22 to the sub-base 12. The tooling carrier 32 includes a top plate 34 with a top surface 36 and a bottom surface 38. A first leg 40 and a second leg 42 extend downward from the ends and bottom surface 38 of the top plate 34 to engage the sub-base 12.

[0015] The top plate 34 of the tooling carrier 32 further includes portions defining at least one aperture 44 extending from the top surface 36 of said top plate 34. The aperture 44 is adapted for engagement with a device to lift and transport the tooling base 10 and the tooling 22 mounted therein. In the preferred embodiment, the tooling carrier 32 includes three apertures 44 which are adapted to receive a fork of a hi-lo or lift truck vehicle to allow the tooling base 10 and the tooling 22 to be lifted and transported. It is to be understood, that the aperture 44 could be adapted to engaged any type of vehicle or device such as a hoist or crane that would be used to lift and transport the tooling base 10.

[0016]The tooling carrier 32 further includes a plurality of features adapted to attach the tooling carrier 32 to the tooling 22. In the preferred embodiment, the tooling carrier 32 includes a plurality of second through bores 46 adapted to receive threaded fasteners that thread into threaded bores within the tooling 22 to attach the tooling carrier 32 to the tooling 22.

[0017]The sub-base 12 and the tooling carrier 32 each include a plurality of features adapted to attach the tooling carrier 32 to the sub-base 12. In the preferred embodiment, the sub-base 12 includes a plurality of second threaded bores 48, and said tooling carrier 32 includes a corresponding plurality of third through bores 50. Each of the second threaded bores 48 and the corresponding third through bores 50 are adapted to receive a threaded fastener, whereby the threaded fasteners extend through the third through bores 50 within the tooling carrier 32 and thread into the second threaded bores 48 within the sub-base 12 to attach the tooling carrier 32 to the sub-base 12.

[0018] The sub-base 12 includes at least one spacer disposed between each of the first and second supports 24, 26 of the sub-base 12 and the tooling 22. In the preferred embodiment, at least one block spacer 52 and one adapter spacer 54 is disposed between the tooling 22 and the supports 24, 26 on each end of the sub-base 12. Referring to FIG. 2A, two block spacers 52 are shown, however it is to be understood, that any appropriate number of block spacers 52 could be used depending on the stack height of the tooling 22 and the height of the supports 24, 26 on the sub-base 12. [0019] In the preferred embodiment, the first and second supports 24, 26 each include a plurality of third threaded bores 56. As shown in the FIG. 1, each of the supports 24, 26 in the preferred embodiment include three such threaded bores 56. Each of the block spacers 52 and adapter spacers 54 used includes a corresponding plurality of fourth through bores 58. Each of the fourth through bores 58 and each of the third threaded bores 56 are adapted to receive a threaded fastener, whereby the threaded fastener extends through the fourth through bores 58 of the block spacers 52 and adapter spacers 54 and engages the third threaded bores 56 of the supports 24, 26 to secure the block spacers 52 and the adapter spacers 54 to the supports 24, 26.

[0020] Likewise, the adapter spacers 54 include a plurality of fourth threaded bores 60, wherein the fourth threaded bores 60 of each of the adapter spacers 54 are adapted to receive a threaded fastener whereby a threaded fastener is inserted into a through bore within the tooling 22 and threaded into the fourth threaded bores 60 to secure the tooling 22 to the adapter spacers 54 and thereby securing the tooling 22 to the first and second supports 24, 26.

[0021]The sub-base 12 includes at least one channel 62, formed within the bottom surface 16, that is adapted for connecting to a supply of pressurized air. When the tooling base 10 is resting upon a surface and pressurized air is supplied to the channels 62, the tooling base 10 is forced to rise above the surface and is supported upon a layer of pressurized air, thereby allowing the tooling base 10 to be readily moved over the surface upon which the tooling base 10 was resting. The tooling base 10 with the tooling 22 mounted thereon is too heavy for manual lifting and by floating the tool base 10 on a layer of air, the tooling base 10 can be moved easily over the surface and put into position within the blow-molding machine.

[0022] The sub base 12 includes a side wall 64 and at least one air passage 66 extending from the side wall 64 to the channel 62. Referring to the figures, the preferred embodiment includes three parallel channels 62 formed within the bottom surface 16 of the sub-base 12. The two outer channels 62a are joined by an air passage 66a which extends outward to the side wall 64 of the sub-base 12 and the inner channel 62b is joined with one of the outer channels 62a by another air passage 66b which extends out to the same side wall 64 as the first air passage 66a. Each of the air passages 66a, 66b includes a threaded portion 68 adjacent to the side wall 64 to allow threaded engagement with a supply of pressurized air. It is to be understood, that the air passages 66a, 66b could be connected to a supply of pressurized air by other suitable means.

[0023JThe sub-base 12 further includes a plurality of alignment bores 70. In the preferred embodiment, there are two such alignment bores 70, one at each end 18, 20 of the sub-base 12. Each of the alignment bores 70 is adapted to receive a dowel that will extend downward through the sub-base 12 and into a corresponding aperture within the blow-molding machine. The apertures are adapted to receive the dowels to align the tooling base 10 within the blow-molding machine. Once the sub-base 12 has been aligned, and the dowels are placed, the pressurized air can be removed, and the sub-base 12 will settle into place within the blow-molding machine.

[0024] In the preferred embodiment, the tooling base 10 is designed to accommodate the tooling 22 for the blow-molding machine where the tooling 22 includes an adaptor plate 72 that is designed to allow the tooling 22 to be mounted within the machine. Although not an actual tooling component, the adaptor plate 72 is necessary to allow the particular tooling stack to be mounted to the blow-molding machine. The blow molding machine includes an over-sized opening which is necessary to allow the tooling stack 22 to be fed into the blow-molding machine. The purpose of this over-sized opening is two-fold. First, the over-sized opening will accommodate the tooling stack as the tooling stack 22 is fed into the blow-molding machine, and secondly, the over-sized opening can accommodate various types of tooling which will have different sizes. However, the large over-sized opening is too large to directly mount the tooling 22 to the edges, so an adapter plate 72, which is unique to the particular tooling stack 22, is included within the tooling stack 22 to allow the tooling stack 22 to be mounted to the blow-molding machine at the edges of the over-sized opening. Accordingly, the overall design of the tooling base 10 is such that the tooling base 10 will accommodate the tooling 22 along with the adaptor plate 72 incorporated therein.

[0025] A method of using the tooling base 10 of the present invention to transport and load tooling 22 into a blow-molding machine includes the following steps. First, the tooling 22 for the blow-molding machine is secured to the tooling base 10. The tooling components are individually stacked to the sub-base 12 and held there by threaded fasteners that engage the sub-base 12. After a portion of the tooling 22 has been placed to the sub-base 12, the spacers 52, 54 are placed to the supports 24, 26 and the tooling 22 is further secured to the sub-base 12 by threaded fasteners that extend through the tooling 22 and the spacers 52, 54, and engage the supports 24, 26.

[0026]The remaining tooling 22 is placed to the stack, and the tooling carrier 32 is placed onto the sub-base 12. The top plate 34 of the tooling carrier 32 is secured to the top of the tooling 22 stack by threaded fasteners which extend through the top plate 34 and engage the tooling 22. The first and second legs 40, 42 of the tooling carrier 32 are secured to the sub-base 12 by threaded fasteners that extend through the through bores within the legs 40, 42 and engage the sub-base 12.

[0027]The tooling base 10, with the tooling 22 secured thereon is then transported to a staging surface which is adjacent to the blow-molding machine. The tooling base 10 is transported by using a device such a fork lift to engage the apertures 44 on the top plate 34 and lifting the tooling base 10 with the tooling 22 thereon. When the tooling base 10 is placed to the staging area, the tooling carrier 32 is removed from the tooling 22 and the sub-base 12.

[0028] The sub-base 12 is then moved from the staging surface into the blow- molding machine, where the sub-base 12 is aligned and secured within the blow- molding machine. The sub-base 12 is moved by supplying pressurized air to the channels 62a, 62b, whereby the sub-base 12 is forced to rise above the staging surface, supported upon a layer of pressurized air. With the sub-base 12 supported above the staging surface on a layer of air, the sub-base 12 is then easily pushed into the blow-molding machine. While the sub-base 12 is still supported by the pressurized air, the alignment bores 70 within the sub-base 12 are aligned with corresponding apertures in the blow-molding machine. When properly aligned, dowels are placed to the apertures and alignment bores 70 to locate the sub-base 12 in the correct position and the pressurized air is turned off or removed.

[0029] Once the sub-base 12 is settled within the blow-molding machine, the sub-base 12 itself is secured within the blow-molding machine with threaded fasteners that extend through the sub-base 12 and engage the blow-molding machine.

[0030]The foregoing discussion discloses and describes one preferred embodiment of the invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Claims

1. A quick change tooling base for storing and moving tooling into a blow- molding maching, said tooling base comprising: a sub-base having a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposing first and second ends, said top surface adapted to support the tooling thereon; and a first support and a second support spaced apart and extending upward from said top surface, said first support being located toward said first end and said second support being located toward said second end, said first and second supports including features formed therein to secure the tooling to said sub-base; said sub-base including at least one channel formed within said bottom surface, said channel being adapted for connecting to a supply of pressurized air, whereby when said tooling base is resting upon a surface and pressurized air is supplied to said at least one channel, said tooling base is forced to raise above the surface and is supported upon a layer of pressurized air thereby allowing said tooling base to be readily moved over the surface upon which said tooling base was resting.

2. The tooling base of claim 1 wherein said sub-base further includes a plurality of alignment bores, each of said alignment bores adapted to receive a dowel adapted to align said tooling base within a blow-molding machine, a plurality of first threaded bores formed within said top surface of said sub-base and adapted to receive a fastener to attach the tooling to said sub-base, and a plurality of first through bores adapted to receive a threaded fastener to attach said tooling base to said blow- molding machine.

3. The tooling base of claim 1 further including a tooling carrier mountable to said sub-base and adapted to further secure the tooling to said sub-base, said tooling carrier including a top plate with a top surface and a bottom surface and a first leg and second leg extending downward from said bottom surface of said top plate and being engagable with said sub-base.

4. The tooling base of claim 3, wherein said tooling carrier further includes portions defining at least one aperture adapted for engagement with a device to lift and transport said tooling base and the tooling mounted therein.

5. The tooling base of claim 4 wherein said top plate of said tooling carrier further includes a plurality of features adapted to attach said tooling carrier to the tooling.

6. The tooling base of claim 5 wherein said top plate of said tooling carrier includes a plurality of second through bores adapted to receive threaded fasteners to attach said tooling carrier to the tooling.

7. The tooling base of claim 5 wherein said sub-base and said tooling carrier each include plurality of features adapted to attach said tooling carrier to said sub-base.

8. The tooling base of claim 7 wherein said sub-base includes a plurality of second threaded bores, and said tooling carrier includes a corresponding plurality of third through bores, each of said second threaded bores and said corresponding third through bores adapted to receive a threaded fastener to attach said tooling carrier to said sub-base.

9. The tooling base of claim 7 further including at least one spacer disposed between each of said first and second supports of said sub-base and the tooling.

10. The tooling base of claim 9 wherein said first and second supports and said spacers each include a plurality of features adapted to attach said spacers to said first and second supports.

11. The tooling base of claim 10 wherein said first and second supports each include a plurality of third threaded bores, said spacers each including a corresponding plurality of fourth through bores, each of said third threaded bores and said corresponding fourth through bores adapted to receive a threaded fastener to attach said spacers to said supports.

12. The tooling base of claim 10 wherein said spacers further include a plurality of features adapted to attach the tooling to said spacers.

13. The tooling base of claim 12 wherein said spacers each include a plurality of fourth threaded bores adapted to receive a threaded fastener to attach the tooling to said spacers.

14. The tooling base of claim 1 , wherein said sub base includes a side wall and at least one air passage extending from said side wall to said at least one channel, said air passage including a threaded portion adjacent said side wall for threaded engagement with a supply of pressurized air.

15. A moveable tooling base for storing and transporting tooling for a blow- molding maching comprising: a sub-base having a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposing first and second ends, said sub-base adapted to support tooling; a first support and a second support spaced apart and extending upward from said top surface, said first support being located toward said first end and said second support being located toward said second end, said first and second supports including features formed therein to secure the tooling to said sub-base; and a tooling carrier mountable to said sub-base and adapted to further secure the tooling to said sub-base, said tool carrier including a top plate with a top surface and a bottom surface and a first leg and second leg extending downward from said bottom surface of said top plate and being engagable with said sub-base; said sub-base including at least one channel formed within said bottom surface, said channel being adapted for connecting to a supply of pressurized air, whereby when said tooling base is resting upon a surface and pressurized air is supplied to said at least one channel, said tooling base is forced to raise above the surface and is supported upon a layer of pressurized air thereby allowing said tooling base to be readily moved over the surface upon which said tooling base was resting; said tooling carrier including at least one aperture mounted to said top surface of said top plate, said at least one aperture adapted for engagement with a device to lift and transport said tooling base.

16. The tooling base of claim 15 wherein said sub-base further includes a plurality of alignment bores, each of said alignment bores adapted to receive a dowel adapted to align said tooling base within a blow-molding machine, a plurality of first threaded bores formed within said top surface of said sub-base and adapted to receive a fastener to attach the tooling to said sub-base, and a plurality of first through bores adapted to receive a threaded fastener to attach said tooling base to said blow- molding machine.

17. The tooling base of claim 16 wherein said top plate of said tooling carrier further includes a plurality of features adapted to attach said tooling carrier to the tooling.

18. The tooling base of claim 17 wherein said top plate of said tooling carrier includes a plurality of second through bores adapted to receive threaded fasteners to attach said tool carrier to the tooling.

19. The tooling base of claim 17 wherein said sub-base and said tooling carrier each include plurality of features adapted to attach said tooling carrier to said sub-base.

20. The tooling base of claim 19 wherein said sub-base includes a plurality of second threaded bores, and said tooling carrier includes a corresponding plurality of third through bores, each of said second threaded bores and said corresponding third through bores adapted to receive a threaded fastener to attach said tooling carrier to said sub-base.

21. The tooling base of claim 19 further including at least one spacer disposed between each of said first and second supports of said sub-base and the tooling.

22. The tooling base of claim 21 wherein said first and second supports and said spacers each include a plurality of features adapted to attach said spacers to said first and second supports.

23. The tooling base of claim 22 wherein said first and second supports each include a plurality of third threaded bores, said spacers each including a corresponding plurality of fourth through bores, each of said third threaded bores and said corresponding fourth through bores adapted to receive a threaded fastener to attach said spacers to said supports.

24. The tooling base of claim 22 wherein said spacers further include a plurality of features adapted to attach the tooling to said spacers.

25. The tooling base of claim 24 wherein said spacers each include a plurality of fourth threaded bores adapted to receive a threaded fastener to attach the tooling to said spacers.

26. The tooling base of claim 15, wherein said sub base includes a side wall and at least one air passage extending from said side wall to said at least one channel, said air passage including a threaded portion adjacent said side wall for threaded engagement with a supply of pressurized air.

27. A method of transporting and loading tooling to a blow-molding machine comprising: providing a tooling base; securing the tooling for the blow-molding machine to the tooling base; transporting the tooling base, with the tooling mounted thereon, to a staging surface adjacent to the blow molding machine; moving the tooling base from the staging surface into the blow-molding machine; aligning the tooling base within the blow-molding machine and securing the tooling base and the tooling in position within the machine.

28. The method of claim 17, wherein the tooling base includes a sub-base having a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposing first and second ends, with a first support and a second support extending upward from the top surface, the first support being located toward the first end and the second support being located toward the second end, wherein mounting the tooling for the blow-molding machine to the tooling base includes: stacking tooling components to the sub-base; securing the tooling components to the sub-base; providing a tooling carrier that is mountable to said sub-base and mounting the tooling carrier to the sub-base with the tooling secured between the tooling carrier and the sub-base.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the sub-base includes a plurality of first threaded bores adapted to receive threaded fasteners to secure the tooling thereto, wherein securing the tooling components to the sub-base includes inserting a plurality of threaded fasteners through openings within the tooling and threading the fasteners into the plurality of first threaded bores in the sub-base.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the tooling carrier includes a top plate with a top surface, a bottom surface, a first leg and a second leg, the first and second legs extending downward from the bottom surface of the top plate, and at least one aperture mounted to the top surface of the top plate, the at least one aperture adapted for engagement with a device to lift and transport the tooling base, wherein transporting the tooling base, with the tooling mounted thereon, to a staging surface adjacent to the blow molding machine includes engaging the at least one aperture with a lifting device, lifting the tooling base and transporting the tooling base, with the tooling mounted thereon to the staging surface.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the tooling carrier further includes a plurality of second through bores and a plurality of third through bores adapted to receive threaded fasteners therethough, and the sub-base includes a plurality of second threaded bores, wherein mounting the tooling carrier to the sub-base with the tooling secured between the tooling carrier and the sub-base includes inserting a threaded fastener within each of the second through bores and threading the threaded fasteners into threaded bores within the tooling, and inserting a threaded fastener within each of the third through bores and threading the threaded fasteners into the second threaded bores of the sub-base to secure the tool carrier to the sub-base.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the sub-base includes at least one channel formed within the bottom surface, said channel being adapted for connecting to a supply of pressurized air, wherein moving the tooling base from the staging surface into the blow-molding machine includes removing the tooling carrier from the sub-base and supplying pressurized air to the at least one channel, whereby the tooling base is forced to raise above the staging surface, supported upon a layer of pressurized air, and moving the tooling base from the staging surface into the blow- molding machine.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the sub base includes a side wall and at least one air passage extending from the side wall to the at least one channel, the air passage including a threaded portion adjacent the side wall for threaded engagement with a supply of pressurized air, wherein supplying pressurized air to the at least one channel includes mounting an adapter to the threaded portion of the air passage and connecting a supply of pressurized air to the adapter.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the sub-plate further includes a plurality of alignment bores, each of the alignment bores adapted to receive a dowel to align said tooling base within a blow-molding machine, wherein aligning the tooling base within the blow-molding machine and securing the tooling base in position includes moving the tool base as the tool base is supported by pressurized air until the alignment bores are aligned with corresponding apertures within the blow-molding machine, placing dowel pins into the aligning bores and seating the dowels within the apertures in the blow-molding machine.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the tooling base includes a plurality of first through bores adapted to receive a threaded fastener to attach the tooling base to the blow-molding machine, wherein aligning the tooling base within the blow-molding machine and securing the tooling base in position further includes removing the supply of pressurized air to the sub-base to allow the tooling base to settle within the blow molding machine and inserting threaded fasteners within the first through bores and threading the threaded fasteners into threaded bores within the blow-molding machine.

36. A moveable tooling stack for a blow-molding machine comprising: a tooling stack including tooling components for the blow-molding machine stacked and oriented according to how said tooling components fit within the blow- molding machine; a tooling base for supporting said tooling stack, said tooling, base including features adapted to allow said tooling base with said tooling stack mounted thereon to be moved into the blow-molding machine; said tooling stack including an adaptor plate for mounting said tooling stack within the blow-molding machine.

37. A moveable tooling stack of claim 36 wherein said tooling base further includes: a sub-base having a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposing first and second ends, said sub-base adapted to support tooling; a first support and a second support spaced apart and extending upward from said top surface, said first support being located toward said first end and said second support being located toward said second end, said first and second supports including features formed therein to secure the tooling to said sub-base; a tooling carrier mountable to said sub-base and adapted to further secure the tooling to said sub-base, said tool carrier including a top plate with a top surface and a bottom surface and a first leg and second leg extending downward from said bottom surface of said top plate and being engagable with said sub-base; said sub-base including at least one channel formed within said bottom surface, said channel being adapted for connecting to a supply of pressurized air, whereby when said tooling base is resting upon a surface and pressurized air is supplied to said at least one channel, said tooling base is forced to raise above the surface and is supported upon a layer of pressurized air thereby allowing said tooling base to be readily moved over the surface upon which said tooling base was resting; said tooling carrier including at least one aperture mounted to said top surface of said top plate, said at least one aperture adapted for engagement with a device to lift and transport said tooling base.

38. The moveable tooling stack of claim 37 wherein said adaptor plate includes a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface being mountable to the structure of the blow-molding machine, and said bottom surface being mountable to the tooling.