DE102009061262B3 - Blow molding machine with cleaning system - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for shaping plastic preforms into containers, with at least one blow mold (2) arranged on a carrier wheel, which forms a cavity (4) within which the plastic preforms can be formed into containers, with a blow nozzle (16) around the plastic preforms act on the mouth with the gaseous medium to expand it against an inner wall (8) bounding the cavity (4) of the blow mold, with a stretching rod (12) to stretch the plastic preforms in their longitudinal direction (L), the Device has a sterilization device (10) for sterilizing areas of the blow mold (2), characterized in that the sterilization device (10) has at least one outlet opening (14) for a sterilizing agent for sterilizing the blow mold and this outlet opening in the stretching rod (12) and / or is arranged in the pressurization device (16), a valve block (46) for Z The supply of sterilization media can be controlled with a control device in such a way that the supply takes place when no preform or container is arranged in the blow mold (2) and the device (1) has a reservoir with the sterilization medium and a rotational distribution, or each blow station has its own Reservoir with the sterilization medium is assigned, which can be replenished cyclically.

Description

The present invention relates to devices for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers and in particular to blow molding machines. Blow molding machines of this type have long been known from the prior art. They usually have a blow mold, within which the plastic preforms are expanded to plastic containers by pressurization. In this stretch blow molding process of plastic containers, so-called oligomers d. H. short-chain molecules or foreign substances from the plastic of the plastic preforms on the blow mold. The surface of these blow molds therefore becomes dull with increasing contamination and, in extreme cases, rough. However, this has negative effects on the bottle quality, since this can lead to the bottle optics becoming cloudy due to the blunt blow molds or the cooling of the mold surface being reduced as a result of the roughness.

Since neither is acceptable, the blow molds must be cleaned at regular intervals and usually polished. Particularly high levels of contamination of oligomers occur when process-related (e.g. hotfill processes) have to be carried out at high mold temperatures, since contamination with hot molds is accelerated several times and cleaning of molds when hot is only a safety risk due to the risk of burns can be carried out. This mold cleaning is often a very negative aspect, especially in a so-called hot filling system with a blow molding machine and filler block. Another aspect for cleaning blow molds, even with so-called cold molds (e.g. less than 100 ° C), is hygiene.

Especially when filling sensitive products, it is important to avoid any spread of germs or spores on the outer wall of the bottle into the filler area. Regular and good cleaning of the blow molds also contributes to this. Cleaning is therefore always understood to mean a reduction in germs and spores.

From the DE 699 00 390 T2 A method and an arrangement for the sterilization of hollow bodies is known, in which a sterilizing agent is introduced through an injection device, a suction effect being generated on a tube opening into the hollow body.

Furthermore is also from the DE 10 2004 018 146 A1 a method and a device for blow molding containers is known, in which the stretching rod has outflow openings for introducing compressed gas into the container.

From the DE 20 2008 005 257 U1 A device for blow molding hollow bodies is known, the compressed air used for this purpose being discharged from the hollow body via a discharge line and the discharge line being connected to a cooling device for partially cooling at least a region of the hollow body.

The DE 200 23 423 U1 also describes a device for producing containers by blow molding, comprising a blow mold, which comprises at least one inlet for a coating agent.

From the WO 2008 125216 A2 a container manufacturing device and a manufacturing method for molded articles is known. A radiation device is arranged on or on the blow molding machine, the radiation being directed at least to a region of the blow molding machine.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of simplifying the cleaning of such blow molding machines. Another object of the invention is to provide an automated method for blow mold cleaning. According to the invention, these objects are achieved by the subjects of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A device according to the invention for shaping plastic preforms into containers has at least one blow mold, which forms a cavity within which the plastic preforms can be shaped into containers. Furthermore, the device has a pressurization device in order to apply a medium to the plastic preforms in order to expand them against an inner wall of the blow mold delimiting the cavity. Furthermore, a stretching rod is preferably provided in order to stretch the plastic preforms in their longitudinal direction, the device having a cleaning device in order to clean regions of the blow mold.

According to the invention, the cleaning device has at least one outlet opening for a cleaning medium for cleaning the blow mold. This outlet opening is preferably arranged at least temporarily within the blow mold.

This procedure makes it possible to clean the blow mold, in particular during operation, without having to stop operating the device for a long time. So it is possible to apply the cleaning medium to the blow mold at regular intervals. Furthermore, the arrangement of this outlet opening also allows the blow mold to be cleaned in a closed state.

The blow mold can thus advantageously also be converted from a closed to an open state.

The stretching rod is advantageously movable relative to the plastic preforms or their threads in the longitudinal direction of the plastic preforms.

The pressurization device is advantageously a blowing nozzle which acts on the containers through the mouth of the gaseous medium and in particular of air.

In order to compensate for the disadvantages mentioned above, it is therefore proposed to use an automatic cleaning process. The cleaning device is thus preferably able to carry out the cleaning of the containers automatically. It is also possible to retrofit the cleaning device on existing machines. Furthermore, the blow mold or the entire mold carrier can be kept closed during the sterilization by the proposed procedure, and there is no risk that the entire blow molding machine, including its greased curve bearings, will be exposed to the sterilization medium. In this way, possible corrosion damage can be avoided.

According to the invention, the device has a reservoir for the sterilization medium and a rotation distribution. It would also be possible according to the invention to provide a separate reservoir for the sterilization medium at each blowing station, which reservoir can be filled up cyclically.

Substances are suitable as cleaning agents that can be used for external and internal cleaning (Cip cleaning) of machines and systems in beverage-filling companies. Examples of such cleaning agents are sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH), acid cleaning agents based on phosphoric acid, acid cleaning agents based on nitric acid, disinfectants based on acetic acid, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, chlor-alkaline cleaning agents, hot water or steam. In addition, chlorine dioxide could also be considered as a cleaning agent.

In a preferred embodiment, the outlet opening is designed as a nozzle for the cleaning medium. It would also be possible for several nozzles to be provided, so that larger areas of the inner wall or the entire inner wall can be sprayed or otherwise wetted.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the blow mold has two side parts which can be swung apart and which form the cavity in their interior in a closed state. In operation, a preform is placed in the blow mold in a folded-apart state, then the mold halves are closed and finally the plastic preform is expanded into the container.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the blow mold has a base part. This bottom part is advantageously formed separately from the side parts and closes the blow mold downwards.

In one embodiment according to the invention, at least one outlet opening is arranged in the stretching rod in a bottom part of the blow mold and / or the pressurizing device. In this way, it is possible that the cleaning medium can be introduced via the stretching rod, via the bottom part of the blow mold, or else the pressurizing device such as the blow nozzle.

However, it would also be possible for a plurality of outlet openings or nozzles to be arranged in the base shape, or for a plurality of outlet openings in the stretching rod of the pressurization device. Outlet openings could also be provided both in the bottom part and in the stretching rods or also both in the stretching rod and in the pressurizing device or both the bottom part and the pressurizing device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the stretching rod has an end section pointing in the direction of a bottom of the containers, and the outlet opening is arranged in this end section. This end section is the section of the stretching rod that extends to the bottom of the plastic preforms during stretching.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the stretching rod has a plurality of outlet openings which are distributed, in particular uniformly distributed, in the peripheral device. These openings are advantageously oriented obliquely, so that the medium emerges obliquely from these openings. In this way, it is possible to apply the cleaning medium to the entire wall of the blow mold in the circumferential direction. It would also be possible to execute the stretching bar rotatably for cleaning operation.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the outlet opening is arranged in a central region of a base part of the blow mold. In this case, for example, the base part can have an elevation in this central area, a so-called injection point of the containers advantageously also lying in this central area during the blowing process.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the blow mold has discharge openings for discharging the cleaning medium. It is possible for the cleaning agent to be applied to the inner wall of the blow mold in a closed state of the blow mold and then to be discharged via said discharge openings.

The discharge openings are advantageously provided in a bottom part of the blow mold. In this way it is possible for the cleaning liquid to collect in the floor area after the cleaning process and to be discharged via said openings, which are preferably arranged in deep areas of the floor part.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the blow mold is movably arranged. The blow mold is preferably arranged next to other blow molds on a carrier wheel.

The present invention is further directed to an arrangement for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers and, in particular, beverage containers, this arrangement having a large number of devices of the type described above, and these devices being arranged on a common transport device.

The arrangement is advantageously a rotary arrangement, and the devices can be transported continuously or in cycles.

The present invention is further directed to a method for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers, the plastic preforms being expanded into plastic preforms within a cavity by exposure to a medium, this cavity being formed by at least one inner wall of the blow mold and the blow mold from an open state can be converted into a closed state, a cleaning operation being provided in which no plastic container is accommodated within the blow mold and at least a region of the blow mold is cleaned by exposure to a cleaning medium. According to the invention, the medium can be applied in a closed state of the blow mold.

In a preferred method, the cleaning medium is introduced into the cavity through a bottom region of the blow mold, through the stretching rod and / or a blow nozzle.

• 1 Eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung in einer perspektivischen Darstellung;
• 2 eine Detaildarstellung der in 1 gezeigten Vorrichtung;
• 3 eine weitere Detaildarstellung der in 1 gezeigten Vorrichtung;
• 4 eine Detaildarstellung der Blasform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• 5 eine weitere Detaildarstellung der Blasform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• 6 eine Darstellung einer Reckstange;
• 7 eine Schnittdarstellung der Reckstange aus 6;
• 8 eine weitere Schnittdarstellung der Reckstange aus 6;
• 9 eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Blasformanordnung;
• 10 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Bodenteils;
• 11 eine Schnittdarstellung des Bodenteils aus 10;
• 12. eine Draufsicht von unten auf das Bodenteil; und
• 13 eine Seitenansicht des Bodenteils.

Further advantages and embodiments result from the attached drawings. In it show:

• 1 A device according to the invention in a perspective view;
• 2nd a detailed representation of the in 1 shown device;
• 3rd a further detailed representation of the in 1 shown device;
• 4th a detailed representation of the blow mold of a device according to the invention;
• 5 a further detailed representation of the blow mold of the device according to the invention;
• 6 an illustration of a horizontal bar;
• 7 a sectional view of the horizontal bar 6 ;
• 8th another sectional view of the horizontal bar 6 ;
• 9 a schematic representation of a blow mold arrangement according to the invention;
• 10 a perspective view of a bottom part;
• 11 a sectional view of the bottom part 10 ;
• 12th . a bottom view of the bottom part; and
• 13 a side view of the bottom part.

1 shows an inventive device for forming plastic preforms (not shown) into plastic containers (not shown). This device has a main carrier 11 on which a blow mold 2nd in a blow mold carrier 3rd (each shown only partially) is arranged.

Inside the blow mold 2nd becomes a cavity 4th (please refer 3rd ) formed, within which the plastic preforms are expanded into plastic containers by exposure to compressed air. Furthermore, the device has a stretching rod 12th on that in the longitudinal direction here L (please refer 2 u . 3) is movable to stretch the plastic preforms. The reference number 22 refers to a first blow mold half and the reference number 24th refers to a second half of the blow mold. The blow mold also has a bottom 26 or a bottom part on the cavity during operation 4th closes at the bottom. The reference number 16 relates to a pressurization device or blowing nozzle which pressurizes the plastic preforms with compressed air.

Via feed lines 42 , 44 can at the in 1 Embodiment shown cleaning media are supplied. For this purpose, the device according to the invention also has a valve block 46 that controls the supply of the cleaning media. It would also be possible for a cleaning medium to be supplied via a supply line and for a rinsing medium such as water to be supplied via another supply line.

2nd shows a detailed representation of the in 1 shown device. The supply lines are also particularly important 42 , 44 provided, which are flexible here, so that despite a movement of the valve block 46 can maintain the connection in the longitudinal direction.

3rd shows a further representation of a blow mold according to the invention 2nd . Even the horizontal bar 12th is shown here in a sectional representation. About this horizontal bar 12th in this embodiment, the cleaning medium is in the blow mold 2nd or the cavity 4th introduced. The horizontal bar can be cleaned in a special way 12th in the longitudinal direction L be moved and during this time the cleaning medium the inner wall 8th the blow mold. The reference number 10 refers to the cleaning device in its entirety.

4th shows a further representation of the blow mold according to the invention. You can see that in the horizontal bar 12th a channel 18th is arranged and an outlet opening 14 , through which the medium from the horizontal bar 12th can leak. The reference number 32 here refers to another opening in the bottom part 26 is arranged. In addition, in the bottom part 26 further openings can be provided, which serve as processes.

5 shows a further representation of the blow mold according to the invention. The supply line is also here 42 recognizable, which is in a curved position here because of the horizontal bar 12th maximum in the blow mold 2nd is retracted.

6 shows a perspective view of a horizontal bar 12th . This horizontal bar 12th has several outlet openings here 14 through which the cleaning medium can escape from the stretching rod. These openings are here in an end section 36 formed, which has a spherical shape here. Furthermore, the outlet openings are each arranged obliquely so that the cleaning medium can exit from them obliquely.

7 shows a partially sectioned illustration of the horizontal bar 12th . Here too is the canal 18th recognizable, as well as the subchannels 19th that the channel 18th with the outlet openings 14 connect. It would also be possible to have outlet openings in other areas of the stretching rod 12th to provide. In addition, the channel could also be designed in such a way, for example tapering from top to bottom, that even with further openings arranged, the cleaning medium in each case with the same pressure from the stretching rod 12th exit.

8th shows a further representation of a horizontal bar. Here too are the end section 36 as well as the outlet opening 14 to recognize.

9 shows a further schematic representation of a blow mold according to the invention with the two blow mold halves 22 and 24th . The reference symbol S refers to the directions of the jets under which the cleaning liquid is directed onto the inner wall 8th the blow mold hits. A corresponding outlet opening or cleaning nozzle is here with the reference symbol 25th featured. The reference number 37 indicates a channel through which the cleaning medium is supplied and the reference numerals 38 and 39 Feeds or returns for a temperature control medium for the bottom part 26 .

10 shows a perspective view of a bottom part 26 . You can see openings here 29 that in a wall 27 of the bottom part are arranged. These openings serve to discharge the cleaning medium and are preferably in a comparatively low-lying area of the base part 26 arranged. The reference number 23 refers to channels through which the cleaning liquid is drained.

11 shows a sectional view of the bottom part 10 . You can see channel here again 23 for removing the cleaning medium. You can also see that starting from the opening 29 a feed channel 29a towards the canal 23 extends. In this way it is possible from a variety of openings 29 to drain the cleaning medium.

12th shows a plan view from below of a bottom shape according to the invention. In particular, a labyrinth area is provided here, which is used for heating purposes.

13 shows a further side view of the bottom part 26 . You can see here next to the channels 23 even higher channels 21st , which also serve to remove cleaning media.

The device according to the invention can furthermore have sensor devices which have a cleaning state of the inner wall 8th the blow mold 2nd check. For example, it would be possible for an image recording device to have the inner wall in an open state 8th optically checked. In addition, it would also be possible to provide further cleaning devices, such as brushes, which mechanically clean the inner wall in an open state. However, it is also possible that such a brush device in the longitudinal direction L is inserted into the device. Furthermore, it would also be possible to apply several cleaning media to the inner wall in succession.

Instead of the usually liquid cleaning media mentioned here, it would also be possible to use gaseous or vapor cleaning media. In addition to the liquid cleaning media, other sterilization units could also be provided, such as UV lamps or electron beams, which disinfect the inner wall.

Furthermore, additional nozzles or openings could be provided, by means of which rinsing liquid, such as, for example, distilled water, on the inner wall 8th the blow mold 2nd can be applied. After the actual cleaning cycle with the cleaning liquid, a rinsing cycle could also be provided, which rinses out the blow mold 2nd serves. This rinse cycle could take place in a closed state of the blow mold, but it would also be possible for the blow mold 2nd is first opened and then the inner wall in the open state 8th is rinsed.

Finally, it would also be possible to arrange cleaning nozzles on the inner wall itself, so that such a cleaning nozzle, for example, an opposite region of the inner wall 8th sprayed.

Furthermore, liquid measuring devices can be provided, which determine the amount of cleaning medium with which the blow mold is applied. In this way it can be ensured that only a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid is applied for each cleaning process.

All of the features disclosed in the application documents are claimed as essential to the invention, provided that they are new to the prior art, individually or in combination.

Reference list

1

contraption

2nd

Blow mold

3rd

Blow mold carrier

4th

cavity

8th

Inner wall

10th

Cleaning facility

11

Main beam

12th

Horizontal bar

14

Outlet opening

16

Pressurization device, blowing nozzle,

18th

channel

19th

Subchannels

21

channels

22, 24

Blow mold half, swiveling side parts

23

channel

25th

Outlet opening, cleaning nozzle

26

Bottom part

27

Wall

29

opening

29a

Supply line

32

Discharge opening

36

End section

37

channel

38

leader

39

Rewind

42, 44

Supply line

46

Valve block

L

Longitudinal direction

Claims (17)

Device (1) for shaping plastic preforms into containers, with at least one blow mold (2) arranged on a carrier wheel, which forms a cavity (4) within which the plastic preforms can be shaped into containers, with a blowing nozzle (16) around the plastic preforms act on the gaseous medium via its mouth in order to press it against an inner wall (8) delimiting the cavity (4) expand the blow mold, with a stretching rod (12) to stretch the plastic preforms in its longitudinal direction (L), the device having a sterilization device (10) to sterilize areas of the blow mold (2), characterized in that the sterilization device (10) has at least one outlet opening (14) for a sterilizing agent for sterilizing the blow mold and this outlet opening is arranged in the stretching rod (12) and / or in the pressurizing device (16), a valve block (46) for supplying sterilization media with a Control device can be controlled in such a way that the supply takes place when no preform or container is arranged in the blow mold (2) and the device (1) has a reservoir with the sterilization medium and a rotation distribution, or each blow station has its own reservoir with the sterilization medium is which can be replenished cyclically. Device after Claim 1 , characterized in that the outlet opening (14) is designed as a nozzle for the sterilization medium. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blow mold (2) has two side parts (22, 24) which can be swung apart and which form the cavity (4) in their interior in a closed state. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has a reservoir and a rotation distribution for the sterilization medium. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet opening (14) is arranged at least temporarily within the blow mold (2). Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stretching rod (12) has an end section (36) pointing in a direction of a bottom of the containers and the outlet opening is arranged in this end section. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet opening (14) is connected to a valve block (46) via a feed line (42, 44). Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blow mold has discharge openings (32) for discharging the sterilization medium. Device after Claim 8 , characterized in that the discharge openings (32) are provided in a bottom part (26) of the blow mold (2). Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blow mold is movably arranged. Arrangement for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers with a plurality of devices according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the devices are arranged on a common, continuously driven transport device. Method for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers, the plastic preforms being expanded into plastic preforms within a cavity by exposure to a medium, and wherein this cavity is formed by at least one inner wall of a blow mold, and the blow mold (2) from an open state to a closed state can be transferred, whereby a sterilization operation is provided in which no plastic container is accommodated within the blow mold and at least one area of the blow mold (2) is sterilized by exposure to a sterilization medium, characterized in that the exposure to the medium in a closed state of the blow mold (2) is feasible. Procedure according to Claim 12 , characterized in that the sterilization medium is introduced into the cavity through the stretching rod (12) and / or through a blowing nozzle. Procedure according to Claim 12 or 13 , characterized in that only a predetermined amount of sterilization medium is applied to each sterilization process. Procedure according to Claim 12 to 14 , characterized in that the blow mold is sterilized at regular intervals. Process for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers under hygienic conditions, the plastic preforms being expanded into plastic preforms within a cavity by exposure to a medium, and wherein this cavity is formed by at least one inner wall of a blow mold (2), and the blow mold (2) by one open state can be converted into a closed state, a cleaning operation being provided in which no plastic container is accommodated within the blow mold and at least one area of the blow mold (2) by being loaded with it is cleaned using a cleaning medium, characterized in that after cleaning the blow mold (2) with the cleaning medium, a rinsing process with a rinsing medium, in particular water, is carried out. Procedure according to Claim 16 , characterized in that the blow mold (2) is rinsed in an open state.

Images