DE102014216562A1 - Mold filling machine and method for molding and filling containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for producing a plastic container and for filling it with at least one filling product in a mold, wherein the introduction of a preform into the mold, in particular a blow mold, and the at least partially producing the plastic container by applying the preform with at least one the first medium is provided and wherein the first medium is liquid.

Description

The invention relates to a method for molding and filling of plastic containers and a mold filling machine for carrying out the method according to the invention.

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

Object of the present invention is to develop known devices and methods for molding and filling plastic containers in an advantageous manner. In particular, the apparatus and / or time required for producing and filling the plastic container should be reduced.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and a mold filling machine according to claim 11. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

By definition, a mold-filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

The inventive method is used for molding and filling of plastic containers in which preforms are converted into molds by at least partially introducing an incompressible molding fluid under pressure to the containers, and in which the containers are filled in the molds with a product by the molding fluid is replaced by the product or is partially replaced by at least one component of the product. The incompressible molding fluid is therefore not identical to the liquid product filled and / or mixed in the hollow mold.

The preforms are made of a thermoplastic such as PET, PE, PP, or the like, and may be heated in a conventional manner for forming in a pre-connected oven.

The proportionate introduction of an incompressible molding fluid is to be understood that at least a part, in particular a final part, of the forming process in the mold by hydraulic pressing of the preform / container takes place, in contrast to a pneumatic inflation by a compressible molding fluid, such as compressed air.

An exclusively hydraulic pressing of the preform has the advantage that a compressed air supply for the treatment stations for the purpose of molding is unnecessary. Partial pneumatic inflation with a compressible molding fluid, however, may be particularly advantageous for initial pre-blowing of the container in the mold cavity. Likewise, the compressible molding fluid could be carbon dioxide, which remains at least partially in the preform / container after pre-blowing and goes into solution in the incompressible molding fluid, which is subsequently under pressure, in order to carbonize the product.

The molding fluid could be a major component of the product to be filled in terms of its volume fraction, in particular a diluent for a product component stored as a concentrate and introduced during filling, for example syrup. The product, for example a drink, is then mixed in the container. For this purpose, preferably no negative pressure in the container is produced and / or only the volume component to be replaced by the product component is removed from the container.

For example, during filling, the molding fluid is proportionally displaced by introducing the product component with overpressure. Mold fluid and product component are preferably provided via separate feed lines on the valve head but also be conveyed serially through the valve head by a common supply line.

Preferably, the preforms are mechanically stretched before and / or during the introduction of the incompressible molding fluid. By means of a stretch rod, a targeted longitudinal deformation of the preform can cause or at least support.

Preferably, the pressure of the incompressible molding fluid during the forming of the preforms is controlled in each case changed. For example, the pressure level in the molding fluid may be changed substantially stepwise. A level of fluid pressure prevailing at the beginning of forming could be followed by further pressure levels, which need not necessarily be increasingly increasing. Pressure increase and pressure decrease could be combined in any order during the individual forming process, for example, to produce different draw rates in individual phases of the forming process. However, a hydraulic pressing of the preform is in principle possible even with uniform fluid pressure.

Preferably, the incompressible molding fluid is heated to a conditioning temperature for conditioning the plastic, at least during a partial time segment of the forming, and in particular cooled again during the forming process. The temperature of the molding fluid is thus higher, especially at the beginning of the introduction, than at the end of the introduction.

The conditioning temperature can influence, for example, the degree of crystallization and / or the crystallization rate of the plastic. Thus, it is conceivable to suppress thermally induced crystallization by introducing it at a conditioning temperature of 80-90 ° C. Also, the conditioning temperature could be higher than a temperature prevailing upon introduction of the molding fluid into the preform, such as an average wall temperature in a particular area of the preform. Likewise, a mechanically induced by crystallization crystallization of the plastic can be selectively counteracted in certain phases of the forming, in particular if the conditioning temperature is higher than a temperature of the preform or a certain range of the preform.

Introducing a mold fluid cooled to conditioning temperature towards the end of forming, such as after reaching 90% of the final container volume, or after completion of forming, promotes rapid cooling of the container to one for subsequent filling in the mold and / or removal of the mold Container to ensure desired mechanical stability of the container.

The molding fluid preferably consists of sterile water and / or of a sterilizing agent which is preferably rinsed out of the container, in particular with sterile water. As a result, it is possible to prevent recontamination of the preforms, which, due to their thermal history, are substantially sterile when heated in an oven. With an incompressible sterilizing agent such as peracetic acid, the container produced can be additionally cleaned and / or sterilized.

Preferably, the sterilant is removed from the container by rinsing with, in particular, sterile water. After an optionally proportionate hydraulic forming with sterilizing agent, the not yet finished molded container can first be emptied by suction and then further formed with preferably sterile water hydraulically. Rinsing, however, would also be conceivable without suction by preferably sterile water displacing the sterilant from the not yet or already finished molded container.

In the filling process according to the invention and particularly preferred, an internal negative pressure is generated in the container for the filling of the product or the product component. The internal vacuum in the container allows for quick filling with product and / or product components. For this purpose, only a valve which establishes a connection to a storage container and / or a product line to open. The product shoots from the valve head, depending on the prevailing pressure difference, jet-shaped into the container. The internal negative pressure is for example between 0.6 and 0.9 bar. Preferably, the container is completely emptied before creating the negative pressure in the container, that is, the molding fluid and / or the sterilization and / or the rinsing fluid is removed. The removal may be accomplished by, for example, draining the molding fluid (particularly when the container is inserted downwardly in the mold with the opening in the direction of gravity) by at least partially sucking out the molding fluid by means of the filling nozzle and / or the stretching rod.

Preferably, the internal negative pressure is at least partially generated by suction of the molding fluid from the container. For this purpose, the finished molded container is connected via the valve head to a vacuum line / suction unit, so that the molding fluid is removed from the container and in one step, an internal negative pressure is generated. This wid is maintained for subsequent bottling or merely supplemented. Thus lets At the same time avoid unwanted ingress of ambient air into the container.

Preferably, an external negative pressure is generated for filling the product or the product component on the outside of the container, which counteracts the internal negative pressure on the container compensatorily. Thus, it is possible to produce approximately a pressure equilibrium on the container wall, which prevents a collapse of the container, ie a contraction of the container wall inwards, and thus a reduction of the container volume during filling.

The external negative pressure can be generated, for example, by channels in the wall of the hollow body, which if necessary also serve for venting during the molding of the container. The region of the hollow mold in which the external negative pressure is generated is preferably sealed airtight to the outside accordingly. This enables an efficient compensation of the internal negative pressure, in particular on a sufficiently low vacuum level for a fast filling within 0.2-0.5 s.

Preferably, immediately prior to filling, the containers are rotated from a downwardly facing mouth to an upwardly facing mouth. The molds can be driven in principle with the valve head down and / or with the valve head up through the mold filling machine. The orientation of the preforms / containers may change as they circulate on the mold-filling machine, particularly for upmolding reshaping and for removing the downmolding molding fluid. Gravity then facilitates and simplifies extraction of the molding fluid. When filling the container is then transported again with the mouth up.

The mold filling machine according to the invention is suitable for carrying out the method according to at least one of the above embodiments and comprises a plurality of treatment stations, which are designed for selectively introducing the molding fluid into the preforms and for selectively introducing the product or the component of the product into the containers. For selectively initiating valves that can be controlled by an electrical control unit in particular are present.

Preferably, the treatment stations comprise valve heads with supply lines for the molding fluid and the product / component of the product which are guided through the valve heads and / or can be closed in a controlled manner. Form fluid and product / product component can be supplied, for example, via separate supply lines and connected separately with trained in / on the valve head valves. Mold fluid and product / product component will be introduced into the preform / container through a fluid nozzle formed on the valve head. The fluid nozzle works as a combined molding nozzle (in the sense of a blowing nozzle) and filling nozzle (in the sense of a filling valve).

All described embodiments are particularly advantageous in at least partially hydraulic molding of the container. However, containers that are only pneumatically formed with compressed air or the like can be filled particularly efficiently in a mold-filling machine, as well as with internal negative pressure. There are then affected hydraulic lines, valves or the like form for compressible molding fluids, such as blowing air, carbon dioxide or the like.

In particular, therefore, the following embodiments may alternatively be formed with a mold-filling machine for molding and filling containers in molds comprising a plurality of valve-head molds adapted to selectively introduce at least one compressible and / or incompressible molding fluid under positive pressure into the preforms and for selective introduction a product are formed in the container. There are then formed, for example, separately electrically controllable valves for the compressible molding fluid and the product in / on the valve head.

Preferably, the mold filling machine comprises by the valve heads leading and / or controlled closable suction for sucking the molding fluid from the containers and / or for generating an internal negative pressure within the container. A controlled closing, for example, allow electrically controllable valves.

Preferably, the treatment stations further comprise sealing elements to airtightly seal moldings, each forming one of the molds, against each other and against the respective associated valve head. It is thus possible to efficiently generate and / or maintain a negative pressure within a forming space formed by the hollow mold and outside the containers.

Preferably, venting channels are formed in the molds, which can be closed controlled and / or controlled connected to suction lines to produce an external negative pressure in the molds outside the container. For example, a particularly electrically controlled three-way valve is suitable for this purpose.

For example, the sealing elements extend along the inner mold contour and are fastened in lateral moldings. Likewise, sealing elements could be formed in carrier shells for the lateral moldings of the mold. Preferably, further sealing elements between lateral moldings and a lower mold part and the valve head.

Preferably, the treatment stations further comprise individually controllable compressors and / or heating elements for the molding fluid. As a result, pressure profiles and temperature profiles can be generated separately at each treatment station and for each container.

The mold filling machine according to the invention is preferably based on a continuously rotatable carousel to which a plurality of treatment stations are attached. Also preferably present is a furnace coupled by means of an infeed star or the like for heating the preforms. However, these could also be provided directly from a connected injection molding machine with a suitable inlet temperature. A sealing machine which is coupled by means of a discharge star or the like or in the region of an outlet star is preferably also present. However, the containers filled with product could also be sealed circumferentially on the carousel.

A preferred embodiment of the mold filling machine according to the invention is shown in the drawing. Show it:

ID 12 Hydraulic blowing with pre-sealed preform

The invention relates to a method for molding and filling plastic containers according to the preambles of claims 1 and 17, as well as a preform according to the preamble of claim 11.

As is known, plastic containers, for example PET containers, can be produced from preforms by stretch blow molding.

There are also already methods in which PET preforms by means of hydraulic pressure, d. h., Are deformed using an incompressible fluid instead of compressed air. There are basically two ways known, namely that the deformation takes place with the product, which remains in the container at the end or that a liquid is used, which is removed again after the deformation process from the container.

The EP 1529620B1 describes a method for hydraulically forming preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there with a stretching rod in the longitudinal direction. It is also carbonized fluid, for. B. mineral water, etc. introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US2011-0031659A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically formed into a container by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

The disadvantage of the known hydraulic forming process is that the finished molded container after filling with product from the molding machine must be transported open in a capper. This transport either means a risk of recontamination or precautions must be taken (eg clean room), make the system expensive and therefore less economical.

In addition, when transporting the filled bottles in the mold-filling machine to the capper, the spilling over of the product occurs, which leads to a strong contamination of the machine, so that a high cleaning effort is necessary to meet the hygienic requirements in the field of beverage technology.

The next disadvantage is that when the plastic containers formed in the molding machine are directly filled in the molding machine with the final product, the interior of the preforms or the plastic container often has impurities, with a cleaning / sterilizing between molding and filling in the mold is not possible is.

On this basis, the present invention has the object to provide a method and a corresponding preform, with which a hydraulic process and thus also an aseptic end product is possible in hydraulic press molding.

According to the invention, this object is solved by the features of claims 1, 11 and 17.

The fact that a closure is applied to the mouthpiece of the preform, can be effectively prevented that the preforms are further contaminated during transport to the mold before forming and filling.

The closure also prevents contamination of the preform interior and, after filling into the cavity, spills over of the final product from the finished blown and filled container.

A further advantage is that if the closure is designed such that it is the end closure of the plastic container, the plastic container does not have to be supplied with an extra capper after filling. This greatly simplifies the entire arrangement.

It is already sufficient if the mouthpiece of the preform is at least partially, especially at the edge, closed by the closure. This brings at least the advantage that overspilling of the product filled in the plastic container after filling in the mold can be prevented.

Advantageously, the closure has a prefabricated passage which, for example, is self-closing or reversibly deformable, as will be explained in more detail below. Especially advantageously, the closure has a membrane, in particular a flexible membrane, which in particular likewise has a corresponding passage. If the closure or the membrane has no passage, it can be pierced, for example, for filling by a filling tube or a stretching rod. The membrane is formed, for example, from one of the following materials: PP, PE, LDPE, HDPE, PET, PEN, PTFE. The thickness of the membrane is for example in a range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

It is advantageous if the closure is applied during or after a manufacturing process for making the preform and before heating the preform in the oven. Thus, contamination and contamination of the interior of the preform between the manufacturing process and further processing in the furnace of the mold filling machine can be prevented. For example, it can be prevented that the Formgrat falls into the preforms. The sterile conditions in the interior of the preform can be significantly improved.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the preform is at least partially or completely filled with a first incompressible fluid before it is placed in the mold, i. h., before the manufacture of the container. Filling the preform has the advantage that contamination of the preform interior can be largely prevented. In this case, the incompressible first fluid may be the end product which is filled into the plastic container, or a part of the end product or else a fluid which does not belong to the end product.

It is particularly advantageous if this first fluid is a part of the end product, such as syrup, particulate product, certain additives, which are then mixed in filling the finished plastic container. This means that the preform can then be filled with a diluent liquid (for example water) in the mold, so that then the finished molded plastic container contains the finished product. In this way, for example, drinks such as lemonade can be produced. Other mixed products (such as milk with different fat contents) can also be made this way. So it is conceivable, for example, to fill the preform with very high-fat milk (or get filled and sealed delivered) and to heat and then perform the deformation process with low-fat milkers, so that then the correct fat content of the final product is set at the end of the process , This means that the closed, filled preform can be delivered closed to the mold filling machine, which is extremely advantageous. In this way, "dosage systems" become superfluous, since the preform itself acts as a metering chamber.

The first fluid is advantageously introduced already in front of the furnace for heating the preform. Thus, as described above, already the closed (in any case liquid-tight) preform can be supplied with the liquid to the mold filling machine and then the preform are heated together with the filling in the oven. Thus, the first fluid has a further purpose and serves as a heating medium in the heating process (eg by means of IR or microwave), since fluids are generally very good heat conductors. Thus, when heating, not only the wall of the preform is heated by means of the electromagnetic radiation provided, but also the fluid, which in turn, once warm, assists in heating the preform. After the heating oven, the preform can then be placed in the mold cavity for forming or forming, in which then by means of another fluid, the preform can be formed into the finished container.

Preferably, the filled and sealed preform is driven through the heater in such a way that the closure and also the mouth region of the preform remains largely untreated, ie relatively cold. This is especially important for the subsequent deformation process. Contamination of the preform of the interior or of the preform in the fluid can be prevented by the closure. In this way, long-lasting, or even aseptic products can be produced or bottled.

However, it is also possible, the first incompressible fluid only after the oven directly in front of the mold or the molding process in the To initiate container. Thus, the air in the preform is displaced for the most part, which then leads to degeneration of the product (oxidation with oxygen) and would have to be derived during subsequent pressing of the preform. For this purpose, the preform is advantageously completely filled.

When introducing the first fluid into the preform, preferably the preform can be filled with the fluid and then closed. However, it is also possible that the already closed preform, for example, by a passage or a specially generated opening filled.

The prefastened preform can be formed and rinsed in the form filling machine as follows. During shaping and filling, a filling tube or a stretching rod is guided in the hollow mold through a passage in the closure, in particular through a passage in the membrane. The passage may already be prefabricated, but also be generated, for example, by the filling tube or the stretching rod, both of which are axially movable, pierces the closure. The incompressible fluid is introduced under pressure either via the stretch rod or the filling tube or through an annular gap between the outer contour of the passage and the stretch rod.

Here it should be noted that a stretching rod, which serves to axially bias and deform the preform, can be formed simultaneously as a filling tube. Here, the tube-shaped stretch rod then has a corresponding opening, preferably in the lower region, through which the incompressible fluid can be filled. If a corresponding axial, mechanical deformation is not provided, it is also possible to use a corresponding rod or a corresponding tube which has only one filling function. By using a stretch rod, more accurate forming can be achieved and thus material savings in the preform in terms of wall thickness can be realized. If the stretch rod or a filling tube used for filling or molding, the passage in the closure can be kept relatively small, since he then only has to have the dimensions of the stretch rod. If the product is not to be introduced into the plastic container via the stretching rod or the filling tube, the diameter of the passage must be greater than the diameter of the stretching rod. Thus, the incompressible fluid can also be passed through the annular gap between the stretching rod and the passage boundary for forming. This method has the advantage that the seal between passage and stretch rod is not critical, since due to the pressure equilibrium when introducing the fluid into the preform leakage of the fluid at the transition between passage and stretch rod is not possible.

As the first incompressible fluid can be introduced as a fluid that does not belong to the final product, for example, a disinfectant, in particular H ₂ O ₂ in the preform, preferably in the already closed preform. Thus, a sterile atmosphere may form in the sealed preform, especially as the disinfectant evaporates. It is advantageous if the disinfectant is introduced, for example via a passage in the preform, since the sterile atmosphere in the preform can then hold. It is also conceivable that a corresponding disinfectant is injected into the preform through a membrane (septum). Advantageously, the disinfectant is introduced directly during or after the production of the preform (directly after the injection process) when the preform is still hot, so that the disinfectant can evaporate. If the temperature of the preform after the tip is insufficient to evaporate the disinfectant, during the heating of the preform in an oven of the mold-filling machine, the preform is heated so that the hydrogen peroxide or disinfectant evaporates and the inner walls of the preform are sterilized , Immediately before the molding / filling process, the disinfectant gas, in particular H ₂ O ₂ gas is then sucked or rinsed through the closure and directed to a central collection point. From there, it can be fetched if needed and used again for sterilization purposes.

For forming and filling the filling tube, or the stretch rod, is retracted through the closure in the preform and after completion of molding and filling the filling tube is moved upwards out of the plastic container, in which case the passage or the opening either closes itself or but is closed (squeeze membrane, such as ketchup bottles). It is possible that the membrane is pulled by the filling tube, which moves upwards, with the filling tube tent-like upward and thermally, in particular by a hot scissors or clamp at a point below the filling tube is closed and preferably separated. Thus, a tight seal after filling is ensured, so that no extra capper is necessary. However, it is also possible that the passage opening is closed by a separate closure element which is applied over or into the passage opening. This can also be done in the Füllformmaschine, in particular in the mold, in which case at the lower end of the stretch rod or the filling tube, a stopper or snap closure is provided which upon withdrawal of the stretch rod or of the filling tube from the finished molded container hangs on the passage, so that it is closed. In this way, a finished filled and sealed container is produced, which is sealed immediately after the forming and ready for the end user. Thus, investments can be reduced and also the risk of re-contamination can be reduced.

In a preform according to the present invention, a closure is applied to the mouthpiece, which closes the mouthpiece at least in sections. The closure advantageously has a prefabricated passage through which then, for example, a filling tube or a stretching rod can be guided. The closure may comprise a membrane as previously described.

The preform according to the present invention advantageously has a passage which is self-closing. Self-closing here means that the passage when it is closed, reversibly deformed under pressure and thus can be opened and then returns by itself back to its locked starting position. Such a self-closing passage may be formed by one or more cross-shaped or star-shaped slots in the membrane or a flexible plastic. For example, when a stuffing tube or a stretch rod presses on the closed passage, the movable portions move on or between the slot (s) in the direction of travel of the stuffing tube and allow the tube to pass through the passage moved by. When the rod or tube is pulled out of the passage, the areas between or next to the slot (s) move back to their original shape and the passage is closed. Such a passage protects against contamination at almost any time. A self-closing closure or passage also brings with it the advantage that after the molding and filling process in the mold, the passage closes again by itself and no separate capper is necessary.

It is particularly advantageous if the opening of the passage opens more easily inwardly from the outside when pressure than from inside to outside pressure. This ensures that the closure or the membrane can hold a pressure in the preform or the bottle, but at the same time at an external pressure, for example, the pressure by an inflowing medium or mechanical pressure by a stretch rod or a filling tube, the opening releases. After the external pressure is removed, the passage closes, thus preventing pressure equalization with the environment as well as the ingress of dirt and germs and spilling or foaming of liquid. In this case, the crosswise or star-shaped slots may be formed in a recess of a membrane or a flexible plastic.

It is particularly advantageous if the closure has a lid with an opening, wherein the membrane is located below the opening, and the opening is preferably closed by a hinged or pivotable element. A corresponding embodiment has the advantage that fluid can first be introduced into the preform through a passage in the membrane, for example as a first fluid, or else for shaping or filling of the preform. After the finished plastic container is filled, then the lid can be closed. There is no need for an extra capper for such a lid. The lid can then only be sealed. This can be done with a kind of adhesive and / or sealant. However, contamination of the contents is excluded between filling and sealing. It is advantageous to weld the flap inextricably by a plastic welding process with the rest of the lid.

It is advantageous if the cover has an alignment mark, in particular a projection or a recess, for example a tab or notch, so that the cover together with plastic container can be aligned at a certain angle, so that the hinged or pivotable element of a mechanical Facility can be opened before the molding / filling process.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the following figures.

2 shows roughly schematically a longitudinal section through a treatment station for molding and filling a preform.

3a shows roughly schematically a longitudinal section through a preform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3b shows a plan view of a membrane for closing the in 3a shown preform.

3c shows a plan view of a membrane for closing the in 3a shown preform.

3d shows a side view of 3e ,

3e shows a plan view of another membrane for closing the in 3a shown preform according to the present invention.

4 shows a prefilled sealed preform according to the present invention.

5 shows a pre-filled with disinfectant sealed preform according to the present invention.

6 shows a preform according to another embodiment of the present invention in longitudinal section.

7 shows a preform according to another embodiment of the present invention in longitudinal section.

8th shows roughly schematically a longitudinal section through a fluid nozzle and a filling tube according to the present invention in a first state.

9 shows the in 8th shown arrangement in a second state.

10 shows a cross section through the in 8th and 9 shown aperture with different opening cross-sections.

11 shows a cross section through a membrane with performed filling tube or stretch rod according to the present invention.

ID 13 Apparatus and method for vacuum recycling in a container treatment plant

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for vacuum recycling in a container treatment plant. In particular, the invention relates to such a device and method in the context of filling devices for filling containers, for example bottles, with a substantially liquid filling product, for. As a beverage or a hygiene product, blowing and Streckblasvorrichtungen for the production of plastic containers, such as PET bottles, by applying appropriate preforms (preforms) with a compressed gas and combined Formfüllvorrichtungen for simultaneous molding and filling of plastic containers by filling the preform under pressure the filling product, in which a negative pressure in a vacuum chamber of the treatment station is generated in order to accelerate the molding and / or filling process.

Filling devices for filling containers and blowing or stretch blow molding devices are well known in filling technology, in particular in beverage filling. Recently, mold filling machines have also been used for the simultaneous shaping and filling of plastic containers.

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

In particular, the plastic containers before being expanded are preforms (preforms) which preferably have the shape of a test tube or have a single opening. In the vicinity of this opening is a mouth region, which has been provided for example with an already molded by injection threads for a closure. In addition, a support ring may be provided in the mouth region, which is provided for transport.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

By definition, a mold-filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

As in the case of a filling device or a blowing or stretch blow molding device, the process of forming and / or filling can be accelerated by generating a partial vacuum in the process chamber, which is pressure-tight in the form of a vacuum chamber. After introduction of the However, to be treated preforms or containers, the vacuum chamber must first be evacuated to the desired process pressure, which is generally done directly via a vacuum pump, which is connected to the vacuum chamber via respective suction lines. Upon reopening the vacuum chamber to remove the treated container, however, the vacuum thus created is lost by pressure equalization with the environment of the vacuum chamber, leaving much of the power applied by the vacuum pump unused.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to use this unused part of the performance of the vacuum pump as optimally as possible. More generally, the present invention has for its object to improve the energy efficiency of the container treatment plant and to reduce the energy consumption of the vacuum pump. By reducing the vacuum pump, the system should also be made more compact.

The above-mentioned objects are achieved by a device for vacuum recycling in a container treatment plant, comprising a plurality of treatment stations, each having a closable vacuum area, a plurality of connecting lines which connect the vacuum areas with each other and / or with a central vacuum storage, and a control and / or control unit, which is designed such that a vacuum generated in a vacuum region is partially forwarded to another vacuum region and / or the vacuum reservoir.

Here and in the following, the term vacuum is to be understood as meaning that the pressure prevailing in the vacuum region is lower than the ambient pressure. In particular, the prevailing pressure may be in the range from 0.1 to 0.9 bar, preferably from 0.3 to 0.8 bar, more preferably from 0.5 to 0.7 bar. Depending on the treatment station, however, other pressure ranges for the vacuum are conceivable. The present invention is not explicitly limited to the aforementioned ranges, but is in principle applicable to any vacuum pressure.

In particular, negative pressures of 0.1 to 0.4 bar in the vacuum range can be realized.

In particular, prevails in the container to be filled immediately before filling a pressure of 0.05 to 0.9 bar, preferably between 0.1 and 0.8 bar.

In particular, the pressure in the vacuum range deviates from the pressure in the container immediately before filling by less than 0.2 bar. But it can also be the same pressure.

A vacuum region here and below means a lockable volume of a treatment station for carrying out a treatment process on one or more containers and / or preforms, wherein the volume for carrying out the treatment process is evacuated to a pressure which is lower than the ambient pressure is. In this case, the environment through the environment of the container treatment plant or the interior of an insulator, d. H. Clean room, be given. In general, the ambient pressure will correspond to the atmospheric pressure. The treatment station can be, for example, a filling station for filling the containers, a molding machine, in particular a blow molding machine, one of the already mentioned mold filling machines, a coating station, or the like. Accordingly, the treatment process to be carried out, the filling of a container with a filling product, in particular a liquid food, the molding of a plastic container by a blowing or stretch blow molding process, the molding and simultaneous filling of a plastic container by means of a liquid filling product, which simultaneously serves for molding, a vacuum-assisted coating process or the like.

The processes mentioned are known in principle in the prior art and are therefore not explained further here. It should merely be mentioned that the mentioned filling, shaping or Füllformprozesse to support or accelerate the process in a partial vacuum, so be carried out at a negative pressure. Hereinafter, the term vacuum is always used for the sake of simplicity, even if a significant residual pressure remains in the vacuum region. For example, the filling process can be significantly accelerated by the fact that the interior of the container to be filled is evacuated before filling. This can be done in particular by filling the container to be filled in a closed chamber which has been evacuated before. Likewise, a blow molding or stretch blow molding process can be assisted by applying a vacuum between the preform and the inner wall of the blow mold. The same applies to a mold filling process in which both the interior of the preform to be filled and the space between the preform and the inner wall of the blow mold can be evacuated. In particular, the mold filling process can also be carried out in a vacuum chamber specially provided for this purpose.

According to the invention, the vacuum region is lockable, ie the vacuum region denotes a pressure-tight sealed volume with one or more pressure-tight closable openings. For this purpose, the openings are in particular with a controllable or controllable closing device, such as a switchable valve, a switchable flap, a controllable slide or the like provided. Other options are conceivable and known in the art. It is only important that the opening or the openings can be closed and opened in a controlled manner, so that a controlled atmosphere prevails within the vacuum area. The opening and closing of the closing devices, in particular the switchable valves, takes place by means of a control and / or regulating unit, which is designed such that a vacuum generated in a vacuum region is partially forwarded to another vacuum region and / or the central vacuum reservoir. According to the invention, the vacuum areas are connected to each other and / or to the central vacuum area via a plurality of connecting lines, which can be opened and closed by switching closing devices provided on or in the connecting lines. By targeted opening and closing of the corresponding valves can thus be made a pressure equalization between two vacuum areas and / or a vacuum area and the central vacuum reservoir. For the sake of simplicity, valves will be referred to below, always including the alternative closing devices described above.

A partial recycling of a vacuum in a vacuum region takes place according to the invention, in that the evacuated vacuum region is brought into hydrodynamic contact in a targeted manner via one of the connecting lines with a further vacuum region in which a higher pressure prevails. Gas flows from the further vacuum region into the evacuated vacuum region, as a result of which the pressure in the further vacuum region decreases. Thus, by opening the connection line, a partial evacuation of the further vacuum region can take place so that the required energy of a vacuum pump for evacuating the further vacuum region can be reduced to a desired target pressure.

The plurality of treatment stations may in particular be similar treatment stations for carrying out the same treatment processes. For example, the plurality of similar treatment stations may be arranged on a rotating carrier wheel of a rotary machine to continuously perform a treatment process on a plurality of containers. Since the process is carried out under vacuum conditions as described above, the corresponding vacuum region must be evacuated to the desired negative pressure after introduction of the container or preform to be treated, which generally takes place with the aid of a vacuum pump. To remove the treated container, the vacuum area must then be relieved to ambient pressure, if not the entire treatment plant to operate under vacuum conditions, which is technically and process engineering her only very complicated to implement. The device according to the invention thus permits a partial preservation of the vacuum present in the vacuum region before relieving, by using the partial vacuum for partially evacuating a further vacuum region closed in pressure-tight manner after introduction of a container or preform to be treated in preparation of the treatment process to be carried out. This can be done directly or indirectly, for example via the aforementioned central vacuum storage.

The connecting lines can be provided such that, depending on the number of treatment stations and the process engineering design of the system, suitable vacuum areas are connected to each other and / or with the central vacuum storage. The connecting lines can be realized for example by piping, rigid hoses or the like.

According to a development, the device may further comprise a plurality of switchable valves which are arranged at the interfaces between the vacuum areas and the connecting lines, wherein the control and / or regulating unit is designed as described above for the controlled opening and closing of the switchable valves. In this case, the volume of the vacuum areas is defined by the arrangement of the switchable valves. In order to minimize the dead space volume of a connecting line between a vacuum region and a central vacuum reservoir, the switchable valve can be arranged, for example, directly on a chamber of the vacuum region to be evacuated (see below). In connecting lines between two similar vacuum areas, a central arrangement of the valve between the two vacuum areas or the provision of a separate valve offers itself directly to the chamber of the respective vacuum area. In the latter refinement, the dead space volume can be further reduced to the target pressure when the corresponding chambers are evacuated, since the volume of the connecting line can be omitted from this evacuation step.

According to a development, the vacuum areas may be connected in pairs. In this case, the connecting lines can be arranged in such a way that one vacuum area to be evacuated is connected to a vacuum area to be relieved. In this case, a vacuum region can also form a pair with more than one further vacuum region. When arranging the plurality of treatment stations in the periphery of a rotary runner, the associated Vacuum areas, for example, "interconnected" with each other. The pairs of interconnected vacuum areas thus form a kind of vacuum swing, in which always a part of the vacuum is "forwarded" to each vacuum area to be evacuated. Thus, some of the energy used to generate the vacuum can be recycled. However, since the pressure of the communicating pair of vacuum areas after the pressure equalization is above the desired target pressure, it must be pumped by means of a vacuum pump. However, this can be done indirectly via the central vacuum storage.

According to a further development, the central vacuum reservoir may for this purpose comprise, for example, a main memory which is connected to a vacuum generator, in particular to a vacuum pump. Vacuum pumps are well known in the art and therefore will not be discussed further here. The connection of the central vacuum accumulator, in particular the main storage, with the vacuum pump can be opened and closed by means of a switchable valve. The switchable valve can, like the vacuum pump itself, be controlled or regulated by the control and / or regulating unit. When the valve is open, the pressure in the main memory is lowered to a predetermined first pressure, which can be selected such that in a connected to the main memory vacuum range of the desired target pressure can be adjusted.

This can be done either with the valve open, so that the vacuum pump evacuated the main storage connected to the vacuum through the corresponding connecting line, or valve is closed, due to the pressure equalization through the connecting line a correspondingly lower first pressure in the main memory must be set before the connecting line is opened. It is understood that the main memory is preferably connected to each vacuum area by a separate connecting line, which is each provided with a switchable valve. By opening several valves, several vacuum areas can be evacuated simultaneously if required. For the connecting lines between the vacuum areas and the main memory, a switchable valve is generally sufficient in each case, which is preferably arranged at the interface between the vacuum area and the connecting line (see below).

Also, the main memory can be used analogously to the vacuum swing described above for the partial recycling of a vacuum in a vacuum area. For this purpose, the switchable valve between the vacuum region and the main memory for partially relieving the evacuated vacuum range can be opened to provide pressure equalization between the main memory and the vacuum region. After the valve has been closed again, optionally the pressure equalization described above can be carried out with a further vacuum region to be evacuated. Subsequently, the already partially relieved vacuum area can be opened, while the already partially evacuated vacuum area is set for pressure equalization in communication with the main memory. A part of the gas flowing into the main accumulator through this pressure compensation can be sucked out of the main accumulator by opening the connecting line to a further evacuated vacuum area. Thus, the vacuum pump need only be used to correct the pressure prevailing in the main memory due to the difference between the balanced pressure when communicating with the evacuated container and the predetermined first pressure, whereby the power consumption of the vacuum pump can be significantly reduced.

According to a further development, the central vacuum reservoir may further comprise at least one recycling reservoir which is connected to the main reservoir and / or a recycling reservoir via one or more lockable connection lines, the vacuum regions being connected both to the main reservoir and to each of the recycling reservoirs. The connected to the main memory recycling memory forms due to one or more provided in the corresponding connecting line switchable valves a vacuum swing, which works as already described several times. The purpose of a further memory in the form of the recycling memory is a gradual recycling of the vacuum in a vacuum region, as has already been described above in the combination of main memory with a pair of vacuum regions. Advantageously, the recycling reservoir is thus provided to store a second pressure which is higher than the first pressure but lower than the balancing pressure between the vacuum regions of the pair. The valves of the connecting lines are in this case switched such that an evacuated vacuum area for vacuum recycling is first shorted to the main memory, then the recycling memory and optionally last to be evacuated with the vacuum range of the pair. Conversely, if the corresponding paired connection is provided, the vacuum region to be evacuated is first short-circuited to the already partially relieved vacuum region of the pair. Subsequently, the vacuum region to be evacuated is first short-circuited with the recycling reservoir and only then with the main reservoir. The valves of the not required for shorting connecting lines are generally closed to a targeted Allow pressure equalization. Depending on the design of the device can be dispensed with the pairwise connection of the vacuum areas, especially if only a few or not similar treatment stations are provided. In this case, the corresponding steps are omitted.

By selectively opening the valve or valves between the main memory and the recycling memory, if necessary, a pressure correction in the recycling memory can be carried out analogously to the above-described pressure correction in the main memory.

According to a particular embodiment, the central vacuum reservoir may comprise a plurality of recycling memories connected in series for storing a plurality of cascading decreasing negative pressures. Of the recycling memories connected in series, one is thus connected to the main memory, while the remaining recycling memories are connected to one another as in a series connection. As in the previous development, each of the recycling stores is connected to each of the vacuum areas by a connection line. By providing switchable valves at corresponding points of the connecting lines, a pressure compensation can be achieved in a targeted manner between two recycling stores or between the vacuum areas and the recycling stores. The same applies to the connection of a recycling memory with the main memory.

The series connection of recycling memories can be used for storing a plurality of cascading decreasing negative pressures. For example, in the first recycling memory connected to the main memory, the lowest pressure of the cascade can be stored, the operation of this subsystem being analogous to the further development described above. The next recycling store connected to the first recycling store in the row can then be used to store a higher pressure than in the first recycling store, which pressure is again lower than the next line print to be stored in the row. Thus, the pressure to be stored gradually increases along the series of recycling memories from the main memory to the last recycling memory of the series.

To operate the overall system, the main memory is first connected to the respective evacuated vacuum area to be relieved to recycle the lowest pressure of the system in main memory. Subsequently, the increasingly relieved vacuum area is successively filled with the recycling stores along the row, i. H. with increasing pressures to be stored, so that the existing in the vacuum area to be relieved vacuum can be gradually recycled. Conversely, a vacuum area to be evacuated first with the recycling storage at the end of the row, d. H. connected to the recycling memory for storing the highest pressure to perform a first evacuation step. Subsequently, the vacuum region to be evacuated is sequentially connected to the recycling memories of the series in the order of decreasing pressures to gradually evacuate the vacuum region. Finally, the already largely evacuated vacuum area is connected to the main memory to evacuate the vacuum area to the target pressure. As already mentioned above, the pressure prevailing in the respective recycling reservoir can be corrected to the pressure required in each case for the corresponding evacuation step by pairwise connecting the recycling reservoir to one another or the first recycling reservoir to the main reservoir. This can be done both from the main memory as well as starting from the last recycling memory of the series by successive pairwise pressure equalization between each two memories.

According to one development, the central vacuum reservoir may comprise a ring line which is connected to the plurality of vacuum areas. Such a loop is suitable, for example, in a plurality of arranged along the periphery of a rotary runner similar treatment stations. The loop is equivalent to the memories described above as a contiguous space provided with a well-defined pressure, d. H. the loop is separable by switchable valves in the connecting lines between the loop and the vacuum areas of the latter. For each pressure level, a separate loop can be provided, which is connected to each vacuum area. The ring conduits may further be connected to the main memory and recycling memories of the central vacuum accumulator, each loop being associated with one of the accumulators. In a special case can be dispensed with the memory, wherein the loops take over the task of memory. Accordingly, the ring lines are connected to each other analogous to the series circuit described above.

According to a further development, the volume ratio of the central vacuum reservoir to the vacuum regions may be at least 2: 1, preferably at least 3: 1, more preferably at least 5: 1. In particular, the volume ratio of the main storage and / or the recycling storage to the vacuum areas can be dimensioned accordingly. For example, the switchable valves of the connecting lines, as mentioned above, are arranged directly on vacuum chambers of the vacuum areas and in particular at the interface between the vacuum areas and the connecting lines in order to keep the volume of the vacuum areas to be evacuated as small as possible. Since, according to the principle of the vacuum swing described above, pressure equalization always takes place to a value which is between the two initial pressures of the interconnected volumes, the lower of the two pressures can never be fully recycled. However, the larger the volume ratio of the reservoir to the vacuum region to be recycled, the better the recycling becomes. Even with a vacuum swing between main storage and / or recycling storage, the volume ratio can be selected according to such that the respective memory is significantly larger than the vacuum area to be recycled. With the above values, very good recycling rates can be achieved, so that the energy demand of the vacuum pump for the inevitable pressure corrections can be greatly reduced. The volume ratios mentioned above can be implemented as a vacuum storage even when using ring lines. In all cases, the respective storage volume can be increased by arranging the switchable valves at the interfaces of the vacuum areas to the respective volume of the connecting line.

According to a development, the treatment stations can each have a filling device for filling a container with a filling product within a vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum region comprises the vacuum chamber. As already mentioned above, the filling of containers, in particular of bottles or cans, can be carried out under reduced pressure in order to accelerate the filling process. For this purpose, the container, in particular a plastic bottle or metal can be arranged in a, for example cylindrical, chamber, which is formed as part of the above-described vacuum areas and is connected to the above-described connecting lines. Especially with plastic bottles evacuation of the entire chamber is recommended because a pressure difference between the interior and exterior of the bottle would lead to the deformation of the same. Depending on the desired vacuum, the prevailing pressure in the vacuum chamber even after filling the bottle is still lower than the ambient pressure, so that the vacuum swing described above can be used. Lower pressures at the beginning of the filling process make it possible to further accelerate the filling since only a small amount of residual gas has to escape from the bottle to be filled.

According to an alternative development, the treatment stations can each have a blowing device or mold filling device for shaping or molding and filling plastic containers within a vacuum chamber, the vacuum region comprising the vacuum chamber. Even in the blow-molding or stretch blow molding apparatuses known in the prior art, the blow mold can be arranged in a, for example, cylindrical, vacuum chamber, the negative pressure generated in the blow mold assisting the molding of the plastic container. Even with the above-mentioned blow molding machines, such vacuum in a vacuum chamber is helpful in at least partially molding the preform to the final plastic container with the product to be filled. Again, the mold can be additionally arranged in a vacuum chamber. In this case, can be dispensed with seals of the mold forming the mold, since the internal pressure of the mold communicates through corresponding openings of the mold with the internal pressure of the vacuum chamber. When using pressure-tight molds but also the mold itself can define the vacuum area. In this case, the mold has one or more holes through which it is connected to the one or more connecting lines. Also in this case, the present in the holes and in the interfaces to the connecting lines partial vacuum can be recycled.

According to a further development of the vacuum region may further comprise a dead space volume of the connecting lines. The dead space volume of a vacuum region here is to be understood in particular as meaning the volume of the supply lines or the like between the switchable valve and the actual process chamber, for example the vacuum chamber or the hollow mold. Depending on the design of the treatment station, this dead space volume can be considerable, so that a recycling of the partial vacuum present therein brings energy advantages.

The above objects are also achieved by a method for partially recycling a vacuum in a container treatment plant having a plurality of treatment stations, each having a lockable vacuum area, comprising the steps of: evacuating a first vacuum area to a first pressure; Performing a treatment step on a container within the first vacuum region; and relieving the first vacuum area to remove the treated container, wherein prior to relieving the first vacuum area, communication is established for pressure equalization between the first vacuum area and a second vacuum area having a second, higher pressure and / or a central vacuum reservoir.

Here, the same variations and refinements described above in connection with the vacuum recycling device according to the invention can also be applied to the method for partially recycling a vacuum. In particular, the methods described above in connection with the operation of the vacuum swing may be used for the method of partially recycling a vacuum.

The treatment stations may be, in particular, the above-described filling devices, blowing or stretch blow molding devices or mold filling machines. Accordingly, the treatment step may be filling a container, in particular a bottle or can, with a filling product, for example a beverage, blow molding a plastic container, such as a PET bottle, and molding and filling a plastic container within a mold by filling with the substantially liquid filling product. Before evacuating the vacuum region, the container or preform to be treated can be introduced into the vacuum region, for example a vacuum chamber or a hollow mold, which is then closed pressure-tight. For this purpose, for example, a lock can be provided. Subsequently, the first vacuum region is evacuated to the first pressure, the target pressure, which, depending on the treatment step, is in the range from 0.1 to 0.9 bar, preferably from 0.3 to 0.8 bar, particularly preferably from 0.5 to 0 , 7 bar can lie. It should be noted that the pressure prevailing in the vacuum region can be changed and, in particular, increased by carrying out the treatment step. For the sake of simplicity, here and below, the pressure existing after the treatment step is set equal to the first pressure after the evacuation of the vacuum region. Of course, with pressure varied by the treatment step, the then prevailing negative pressure can be equivalently recycled, but an additional pumping power is required to compensate for the pressure change by the treatment.

To remove the treated container, the vacuum area must be opened imperatively, so that the prevailing partial vacuum is relieved. According to the invention, therefore, before relieving the first vacuum region, as described in detail above, a connection for pressure equalization between the first vacuum region and a second vacuum region is produced with a second, higher pressure and / or a central vacuum reservoir. In particular, the vacuum areas may be the vacuum areas of a plurality of similar treatment stations. The second, higher pressure may in particular be the ambient pressure which prevails after the introduction of a container or preform to be treated into the second vacuum region in the latter. As a result of the pressure compensation between the first and second vacuum regions, a partial evacuation of the second vacuum region is thus carried out, as a result of which the partial vacuum present in the first vacuum region is partially recycled. The pressure equalization is controlled as described above by controlled opening and closing of corresponding valves provided on the connecting lines. A control and / or regulating unit provided for this purpose can control or regulate a multiplicity of switchable valves.

Additionally or alternatively, as described above, part of the vacuum can also be recycled by equalizing the pressure with a central vacuum reservoir. Also for this purpose, a control and / or regulating unit selectively opens and closes the corresponding valves on the connecting lines between the central vacuum accumulator and the multiplicity of vacuum areas.

The "partially stored" in the central vacuum accumulator vacuum of the first vacuum region can be passed according to a development by establishing a connection for pressure equalization between the second vacuum region and the central vacuum reservoir partially to the second vacuum region. As a result, as already mentioned, a vacuum area to be evacuated can already be partially evacuated. A vacuum pump connected to the central vacuum reservoir then only has to compensate for the differential pressure to the target pressure. However, as described above, first of all, the pressure of the central vacuum reservoir can be reduced to a pressure below the target pressure by means of the vacuum pump such that a pressure balance between the main main reservoir and the second vacuum region after separating the central vacuum reservoir from the vacuum pump results in the desired target pressure. Further developments, such as the above-described combined recycling by means of successive pressure equalization between the first vacuum region and the central vacuum reservoir and between the first and the second vacuum region, are also possible.

According to a further development, establishing the connection between the second vacuum region and the central vacuum reservoir may result in successively establishing a connection between the second vacuum region and at least one recycling reservoir of the central vacuum reservoir having a third pressure lower than the second pressure and a connection between the second vacuum area and a main memory of the central vacuum area with a fourth pressure lower than the third pressure. Thus, the vacuum recycling takes place in two or more steps as described in detail above, wherein the third pressure of the recycling reservoir is higher than the fourth pressure of the main memory. The latter is ultimately responsible for evacuating the second vacuum area to be evacuated to the target pressure. As described above, it is also possible to realize a cascade-like recycling of the vacuum by connecting several recycling memories in series. For this purpose, the vacuum region to be evacuated or the evacuated vacuum region are successively connected to the main reservoir and the recycling reservoirs for pressure equalization, the sequence of the compounds for the vacuum region to be evacuated being inverted to the sequence of connections for the evacuated vacuum region. Furthermore, the process of vacuum recycling by means of main storage and recycling storage (s) can also be combined with the pairwise vacuum swing between similar vacuum areas.

According to a specific development, the method may further include evacuating the main memory of the central vacuum reservoir to the fourth pressure. This evacuation can be done by deliberately connecting the main memory with the vacuum pump. Here, the fourth pressure, as mentioned, are below the target pressure. The evacuation of the main memory to the fourth pressure compensates for the inadequate recycling of the vacuum of the first vacuum region due to the finite volume ratio between the vacuum reservoir and the vacuum region. Due to the vacuum swing, however, this necessary pressure correction is considerably smaller than without vacuum recycling, so that the energy requirement of the vacuum pump can be significantly reduced.

Instead of the methods and devices just described, the preforms can also be generated directly from an upstream injection molding device and transported in the still warmed up state to the forming and filling device. Energetically, this offers the advantage that part of the heat is not lost to the environment. Under certain circumstances, however, a Zwischenkonditioniereinrichtung must be provided, which only slightly tempered the preforms (less than plus or minus 50 ° C) or applies a temperature profile. If the preforms are injection-molded within a clean room, then no further sterilization of the preforms may be necessary if the clean room extends to a position at which a closure is applied to the container after filling.

• – Die kontaminationsarme Umgebung der Vorrichtung (innerhalb eines Maschinenschutzes) wird unter einen Überdruck im Vergleich zur Umgebungsatmosphäre gesetzt, indem durch Feinfilter filtrierte Luft zumindest während der Produktion in den Raum eingeblasen wird.
• – Die Antriebe für verschiedenste Bewegungen der Kavität sind außerhalb des Reinraums angeordnet, so beispielsweise die Antriebe für das Öffnen und Schließen der Kavität (Form) und/oder die für das Bewegen einer Reckstange und/oder die für ein Anheben oder Senken eines Behälters und/oder die Bewegung einer Blas- oder Fülldüse.
• – Die innere Wandung des Raums wird in regelmäßigen Abständen gereinigt und/oder sterilisiert, beispielsweise über ein Bespritzen oder Bedampfen mit Lauge, Säure, Entkeimungsflüssigkeit, Wasserstoffperoxid (gasförmig oder flüssig). Insbesondere werden bei der Reinigung und/oder Sterilisation die Innen- und Außenseiten der Kavitäten, Blas- oder Fülldüsen und der Reckstangen miteinbezogen. Insbesondere werden aber auch die inneren Wandungen des Maschinenschutzes einbezogen.
• – Die kontaminationsarme Umgebung wird gegen die Umgebungsatmosphäre abgedichtet. Bei einem Rundläufer kann es sich bei der Dichtung um ein Wasserschloss oder eine Gummidichtung handeln, welche(s) den drehenden Teil zum stehenden Teil der Vorrichtung abdichtet.

In particular, the production or expansion and the filling of the containers take place within a space with low-contamination environment. The low-contamination environment, which is particularly a clean room, can be made by one or combinations of the following measures:

• - The low-contamination environment of the device (within a machine protection) is placed under an overpressure compared to the ambient atmosphere by air filtered through the fine filter at least during production is blown into the room.
• - The drives for various movements of the cavity are arranged outside the clean room, such as the drives for opening and closing the cavity (shape) and / or for moving a stretch rod and / or for raising or lowering a container and / or or the movement of a blowing or filling nozzle.
• The inner wall of the room is cleaned and / or sterilized at regular intervals, for example by spraying or steaming with caustic, acid, degerming liquid, hydrogen peroxide (gaseous or liquid). In particular, during cleaning and / or sterilization, the inner and outer sides of the cavities, blowing or filling nozzles and the stretching rods are included. In particular, however, the inner walls of the machine protection are included.
• - The low-contamination environment is sealed against the ambient atmosphere. In a rotary machine, the seal may be a water lock or a rubber seal which seals the rotating part to the stationary part of the device.

In particular, the containers or preforms are sterilized prior to introduction into the low-contamination environment.

Other containers may also be treated in the apparatus and method, for example, cans, pouches, or other hand-deformable containers.

The product to be filled (water, cola) can also be transported in a distributor, in particular in a loop, to the treatment stations. In particular, there is an overpressure in the manifold to replenish the product even faster. In particular, there is an overpressure of 1.1 to 10 bar, preferably between 2 and 5 bar overpressure.

The product is in particular passed via a rotary distributor from a stationary part of the machine into a rotating part of the machine (carrier wheel).

In the rotary distributor further tracks may be provided adjacent to the product, for example one for the vacuum, when the pump is arranged in the stationary part of the device.

If it is a mold filling machine, then it is possible to provide a further track for pressurized gas for forming the containers.

Also, a trace may be provided for recycling gas (recycle) or cleaning media (CIP).

From the rotary distributor, the media are distributed in particular to individual treatment stations. This can be done via connected to the rotary distributor ring lines, from which lines branch off star-shaped to the individual stations or via a connected to the rotary distributor, central tank, of which in turn individual lines are guided in a star shape to the stations.

If it is a rotary, so in particular its inlet star and an outlet star are provided in the periphery, which feed container to the rotary, and remove container from the rotary. On the rotary, the containers are treated in particular only at an angle of 270 ° to 350 °, depending on how close the inlet and the outlet star can be placed side by side.

In particular, within the first 20 °, in particular 10 °, treatment angle, the vacuum area of a treatment station is partially evacuated to a first pressure by the connection of the area with a vacuum area of another treatment station. Subsequently, during a treatment angle of a further 20 °, preferably 10 °, the vacuum area is evacuated to a second pressure, which is lower than the first pressure, by connecting the vacuum area with the vacuum pump.

The transport path of the containers is in particular meandering.

Further features and exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. It is understood that the embodiments do not exhaust the scope of the present invention. It is further understood that some or all of the features described below may be combined with each other in other ways.

ID 14 mold filling machine and method for cleaning a mold filling machine

The invention relates to a mold filling machine and a method for cleaning a mold filling machine.

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

Object of the present invention is to develop known devices and methods for molding and filling plastic containers in an advantageous manner. In particular, the apparatus and / or time required for producing and filling the plastic container should be reduced.

This object is achieved with a mold filling machine according to claim 1 and a method for cleaning a mold filling machine according to claim 13. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

By definition, a mold-filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

Accordingly, the mold-filling machine comprises a plurality of treatment stations adapted to form containers in molds by selectively introducing a molding fluid under pressure into preforms and adapted to fill the containers in the mold by selectively introducing a product through at least one supply line and a fluid nozzle. According to the invention, at least one structural element which has a function of forming the containers can be switched on and / or moved in order to forward a CIP medium while flowing through the product line and the fluid nozzle.

By this is meant that the structural element fulfills a different function during cleaning than during molding of the containers. The structural element combines in itself two different functions so that an otherwise necessary additional structural element can be saved during cleaning. The function of forming the containers is, for example, passing a molding fluid to pneumatically or hydraulically convert preforms into containers, forming a portion of the mold, stretching the preform, or the like. The function during cleaning is, for example, the collection and / or forwarding, in particular returning, of a CIP medium, the provision and / or positioning of a CIP cap on a fluid nozzle of the blowing stations, or the like.

This can be advantageously configured as follows: the structural element is a lower mold part of the hollow mold, which can be sealingly driven against the fluid nozzle; In the lower mold part Spülkanäle are formed, through which the CIP medium can be discharged in particular in the lateral direction; below the lower mold part, a collecting tray for the CIP medium is formed; the structural element is a stretch rod formed at the treatment station that can be driven up against a diverter mechanism to pivot a CIP cap in front of the fluid nozzle, in particular by means of a follower disposed on the stretch rod and / or on the diverter mechanism; the structural element is a stretch rod tubular to the fluid line; the structural element is at least one supply line for a compressible molding fluid which can be selectively switched into a circuit for the CIP medium, preferably further comprising a switchable bypass for bypassing at least one pressure reducer formed in the supply of the compressible fluid; the structural element is at least one track of a central media distributor formed on the mold-filling machine, which can be switched from a line of the molding fluid in the production operation to a line of the CIP-medium; the structural element is a main shaft of the treatment station tubular to the fluid line; the structural element is a heat retention channel for the product; and / or the structural element is a clean room enclosure for the treatment stations.

Cleaning in the sense of the invention is to be understood as meaning a CIP (cleaning-in-place) of product paths formed on the mold-filling machine, which are preferably also sterilized in the CIP.

Preferably, the treatment stations comprise valve heads with a shut-off valve formed between the fluid nozzle and a supply line for a compressible molding fluid. Aggressive CIP media can thus be kept away from sensitive seals for pneumatic valves, pressure reducers or the like.

The inventive method is used to clean a mold filling machine with a plurality of treatment stations, which are formed for molding containers in molds by selectively introducing a molding fluid under pressure in preforms, and for filling the container in the mold by selectively introducing a product through at least one feed line and a fluid nozzle are formed. According to the invention, a CIP medium flowing through the product line and the fluid nozzle is passed on and / or back by connecting and / or moving a structural element which has a function in forming the containers, in particular in the case of a circulating treatment station. Thus, in the CIP (Cleaning-In-Place), structures used in production operation that come in contact with product, such as pipes, valves, manifolds, tanks, valve heads, fluid nozzles, or the like while the machine is running, can be conveyed using the conveyor designed for production operation Clean and / or sterilize in an efficient and effective way.

Preferably, a preform or a container is driven as a CIP cap against the fluid nozzle. Separate CIP caps are then dispensable.

Preferably, the CIP medium is passed through a distributor track of a rotary distributor / media distributor formed on the mold filling machine for a compressible molding fluid for molding the containers. This can save a separate CIP return track.

The preforms are made of a thermoplastic such as PET, PE, PP, or the like, and can be heated in a conventional manner for forming in a pre-connected oven.

In principle, the containers can also be formed, at least partially, by introducing an incompressible molding fluid. In particular, a final part of the forming process could be in the mold by hydraulically pressing the preform / container, as opposed to pneumatic inflation by a compressible molding fluid such as compressed air.

An exclusively hydraulic pressing of the preform has the advantage that a compressed air supply for the treatment stations for the purpose of molding is unnecessary. Partial pneumatic inflation with a compressible molding fluid may be advantageous in particular for initial pre-blowing of the container in the mold. Likewise, the compressible molding fluid could be carbon dioxide, which remains at least partially in the preform / container after pre-blowing and goes into solution in the incompressible molding fluid subsequently introduced under excess pressure in order to carbonize the product.

The mold filling machine according to the invention is preferably based on a continuously rotatable carousel to which a plurality of treatment stations are attached. Also preferably present is a furnace coupled by means of an infeed star or the like for heating the preforms. However, these could also be provided directly from a connected injection molding machine with a suitable inlet temperature. A sealing machine which is coupled by means of a discharge star or the like or in the region of an outlet star is preferably also present. However, the containers filled with product could also be sealed circumferentially on the carousel.

ID 15 Mold filling machine and method for forming and filling containers

The invention relates to a mold filling machine and a method for molding and filling plastic containers. More particularly, it relates to a process for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold cavity and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers in the mold cavity, the product being filled into the plastic containers, while a Stretching rod or a filler neck is at least partially inserted into the plastic container.

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

If a stretch rod is also used to fill the product or a filler neck is introduced into the container for filling, these displace a certain volume in the filled product. Therefore, if the stretch rod or filler neck is pulled out of the container at the end of the filling process, the level drops. Apart from the fact that therefore deviates the final level of the desired level and the headspace volume is greater than desired, because with the imported stretch rod or the inserted filler neck even with a smaller amount of filled product a maximum level is reached. So there is the problem that the final level of the liquid product may fluctuate, in particular may be lower than the desired level.

Object of the present invention is to develop known devices and methods for molding and filling plastic containers in an advantageous manner so that the final level is adjusted as accurately as possible.

This object is achieved with a mold filling machine according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The invention relates to a method for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers in the mold, the product being filled into the plastic containers while a Stretching rod or a filler neck is at least partially inserted into the plastic container. According to the invention, the insertion depth of the stretch rod or the filler neck at the end of the filling process in such a way adjusted that the volume that is displaced in the product by the stretch rod or the filler neck, a predetermined target headspace volume corresponds.

By the method according to the invention, the final level can be set exactly.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

The stretch rod may be configured to stretch the plastic preform to contact the underside of the die. The stretch rod may comprise openings through which a fluid, in particular the product, can flow into the plastic container or out of the plastic container. Alternatively, the fluid or the product can be filled into the plastic container independently of the stretch rod. In the process can be dispensed with the stretch rod. The product can then be filled by means of the filler neck.

The insertion depth of the stretch rod or the filler neck corresponds to the distance between the upper edge of the preformed neck region of the plastic container and the lower end of the stretch rod or the filler neck. Below refers to the end, which faces the bottom of the plastic container. The headspace volume is the volume between the maximum permissible level during the filling process, in particular the upper edge of the plastic container or the lower edge of the already preformed neck region of the plastic container and the level of the product. Accordingly, the desired headspace volume is the volume between the desired level and the maximum permissible level. The headspace volume is typically filled with a gas, such as air. The desired filling level or the nominal headspace volume are predetermined values. Typically, it is desirable to minimize headspace volume.

The filling process is considered completed when a predetermined target amount of the product has been filled into the plastic container.

The insertion depth of the stretch rod or the filler neck can, in particular time-dependent, be adjusted such that an actual fill level does not exceed a predetermined maximum permissible fill level in the plastic container at any time during the filling process. This can reliably prevent the product from overflowing.

The maximum level can be achieved at least at one time, in particular at the end of the filling process. This particularly solves a problem that occurs when the plastic container is molded with the product, namely, that it may not be sufficient if the product does not exceed the desired level at any time. The desired level is often, sometimes significantly, below the neck of the plastic container and if this is not exceeded, the container in the shoulder area may be incomplete.

The insertion depth can remain the same during the filling process and can only be changed at the end of the filling process by pulling the stretching rod or the filler neck out of the plastic container. This method is very simple because no adjustment of the insertion depth is necessary. This is possible if the volume which displaces the stretch rod or the filler neck at the end of the filling process is not greater than the desired headspace volume and as long as the sum of the volume of the inserted part of the stretch rod or the filler neck is less than that through the maximum level predetermined volume. In these cases, it does not overflow, although the insertion depth of the stretch rod or the filler neck is not changed.

The stretch rod or the filler neck can be at least partially immersed in the product during the entire filling process. This may allow for even filling of the product by preventing splashing.

The insertion depth of the stretch rod or the filler neck can be reduced with increasing level, in particular reduced so that the stretch rod or the filler neck is at least partially immersed in the product during the entire filling process.

Reducing the depth of insertion can be done continuously or in discrete steps.

The insertion depth of the stretch rod or of the filler neck can in particular be reduced so that the volume displaced by the stretch rod or the filler neck does not increase in the product, in particular remains the same or decreases.

If the insertion depth of the stretch rod or of the filler neck is reduced as the fill level increases as described above, a larger amount of the product can be introduced overall without it exceeding the maximum fill level. In addition, the filling can be made more uniform, because in the already filled product in the lower part of the plastic container less flows and bubbles are generated.

The insertion depth of the stretch rod or the filler neck can be adjusted based on predetermined values and / or based on measured values of a level gauge.

The predetermined values can be the volume of the stretch rod or the filler neck depending on the insertion depth, the volume of the container, the height of the container, the shape of the container, the desired headspace volume, the desired amount of the product, the filling speed and / or the maximum permissible level. The insertion depth can be determined from these values. If the filling speed is taken into account, the insertion depth can also be set in a time-dependent manner.

A level gauge may determine the actual level or relative level as compared to a reference level, such as the maximum allowable level and / or the desired level. For example, a control device can be provided, which balances the actual fill level, in particular during the entire filling process, with the actual fill level, so that based on the adjustment, the insertion depth can be set so that the maximum set fill level is not exceeded and / or that the stretch rod or the filler neck is at least partially immersed in the product during the entire filling process and / or that the stretch rod or the filler neck at the end of the filling exactly displaces the desired headspace volume.

The abovementioned definitions and features as well as the advantages described in connection with the method also apply to the form filling machine according to the invention which is described below.

The mold filling machine according to the invention comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers in the mold, wherein the mold filling machine has an adjusting device for setting an insertion depth a stretch rod or a filler neck into the plastic container. According to the invention the adjusting device is designed such that the insertion depth of the stretch rod or the filler neck at the end of the filling process is set such that the volume which is displaced in the product by the stretch rod or the filler neck, corresponds to a predetermined desired headspace volume.

The adjusting device can be designed for simultaneous holding and moving, in particular for discrete or continuous movement, of the stretching rod or of the filler neck along the stroke. For example, the adjusting device may comprise rails and / or articulated arms with grippers. The adjusting device may comprise a drive, for example a servomotor, which is designed such that it can move the stretch rod or the filler neck and thus adjust the insertion depth. The adjusting device, in particular the drive, can be controllable, for example by a control and / or regulating device. The adjusting device can be designed alternatively or additionally to the manual setting of the insertion depth.

The adjusting device can be set such that an actual level does not exceed the maximum permissible level in the plastic container at any time during the filling process.

The mold filling machine may comprise a control and / or regulating device, wherein the control and / or regulating device is designed such that it controls the adjusting device for adjusting the insertion depth of the stretch rod, in particular time-dependent.

The control and / or regulating device can in particular control the adjusting device such that an actual fill level does not exceed the maximum permissible fill level in the plastic container at any time during the filling process.

The control and / or regulating device can control the adjusting device such that the insertion depth of the stretch rod or the filler neck is reduced with increasing level, in particular reduced so that the stretch rod or the filler neck is at least partially immersed in the product during the entire filling process ,

The control and / or regulating device may be designed such that it controls the adjusting device based on predetermined values and / or based on measured values of a filling level meter.

Further features and advantages are explained below with reference to the exemplary figures. Showing:

ID 16 working title: Fill level correction

The invention relates to a mold filling machine and a method for molding and filling plastic containers.

As is known, plastic containers can be produced from preforms by stretch blow molding.

There are also already methods in which PET preforms are produced by means of a hydraulic printing process.

There are basically two ways known, namely that the deformation takes place with the product, which remains in the container at the end or that a liquid is used, which is removed again after the deformation process from the container.

From the EP 1529620 B1 Such a method for the hydraulic deformation of preforms to plastic bottles is described. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Carbonated fluid, particularly mineral water or the like, is also introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. As a result, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

So it is already possible to fill the plastic container produced in the mold filling machine already in the treatment station of the mold filling machine with the final product. However, this has the disadvantage that during transport of the filled plastic container overflows product from the plastic container and dirty the machine. This creates an increased cleaning effort. In addition, the uniformity and constant filling height can not be realized by the spilling, this is partly because the containers are still hot during molding and and after filling, so that it may lead to fluctuations in the container volumes. Due to the spill over it can lead to underfilling of the container, which must be avoided urgently, since if the plastic containers do not reach the statutory minimum fill quantity, they must not be sold.

Proceeding from this, the object of the present invention is to provide a mold-filling machine and a corresponding method which can prevent underfilling and, moreover, can contribute to improving hygiene in a mold-filling machine.

According to the invention, this object is solved by the features of claims 1 and 8.

According to the present invention, therefore, the treatment stations, for example a rotary machine with corresponding treatment stations, are followed by at least one refill device for metering product into the respectively already filled plastic containers.

This means that it is possible to remove the plastic containers, e.g. As bottles, especially PET bottles in the respective treatment stations not to a Mindestfüllhöhe, which corresponds to a statutory minimum volume, so that the product may be sold to fill, but fill accordingly less, such that a spill during transport of the filled plastic containers can be effectively avoided in the mold filling machine. The refilling device can then be reached so that the corresponding minimum filling level is added to product. Even if product spills out of the plastic containers, product can be added by means of a corresponding refilling device.

It is particularly advantageous if the machine has at least one filling level sensor for filling level control and a control / regulating device (control or regulating device) which controls or regulates the refilling device in response to a signal of the filling level sensor. The level sensor can therefore be used to determine whether the minimum filling level has already been reached. If the filling level is not reached, the control device sends a signal to the refilling device in such a way that the product is replenished. When a sufficient level is measured, the refilling process is terminated. Advantageously, controls the control / regulating device as a controlled variable so the level. When the level is regulated to a predetermined level, not only can underfilling be prevented, but also the appearance of the bottles is consistent, no matter how dimensionally the containers are formed by the process.

But it is also possible to easily control the refill by, for example, if it is determined that the minimum level is exceeded, an empirically determined volume is added, which ensures that the minimum height is reached or it can be a corresponding amount depending on the measured Height to be calculated, which is then added through the refill.

The refill device is thus controlled or regulated in such a way that a quantity is metered in so that a predetermined filling level in the plastic container is not undershot. This ensures that every plastic container produced may be sold. Overfilled containers may also be sold.

According to a preferred embodiment, a plurality of refill devices, in particular in each case together with corresponding level sensors in a carousel, that is a rotary runner arranged. This makes continuous production possible.

The at least one refill or the carousel or rotary is followed by at least one closer to finally close the correctly filled plastic containers.

The refilling device has a holder for the plastic containers, wherein the filling level sensor is advantageously mounted laterally or above a region in which the plastic container can be arranged. Thus, the level can be controlled, for example, optically from the side or from above.

In the method according to the invention, product is metered into the filled plastic container after leaving the respective mold through a refilling device.

The respective filled plastic containers have after leaving the mold a first filling level h ₁ and the refill filling then when the first level h ₁ a second level h ₂ , (for example, the minimum level corresponds to or greater than the Mindestfüllhöhe, the Mindestfüllhöhe a Filling level corresponding to the prescribed minimum volume, so that the container may be sold), falls below, the plastic container fills to at least the second filling level h ₂ . The refilling device preferably fills up exactly to the filling level h ₂ , which corresponds to the required minimum filling level. Of course, it is also possible to easily overfill the bottle, but not so much that the bottle overflows.

This means that advantageously in a corresponding regulation, a filling level sensor measures a filling level as a measuring element, and the refilling device as an adjusting element replenishes so much product until the controlled variable h has reached at least the setpoint value h ₂ or the setpoint value h ₂ .

It is advantageous if a fill level sensor is arranged at a height which corresponds to the second fill level h ₂ and generates a corresponding signal when the fill level has reached this level. The same is very easy to implement if a corresponding level sensor h _{2 is} arranged at a corresponding height.

However, it is also possible that a level sensor is used, which can determine the values for the different fill levels. If the respective absolute measured values for the filling level can be determined, it can be calculated on the basis of the determined height with which the plastic container was filled in the mold, how much product still has to be added or if the subsequent metering process is stopped, if a certain amount Value is reached.

In the mold, the plastic container is filled to a height h ₁ , wherein the minimum filling height of the fully filled plastic container is at least h ₂ , where: h ₁ <h ₂ . The volume V ₁ filled in the hollow mold is greater than V ₂ , where V _{2 is} the volume metered in by the refilling device, it being preferred that V ₂ = ... to ...% V ₁ + V ₂ . Thus, it is possible in the filling machine equal to fill a little accordingly, so that spilling over can be prevented.

The following invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

ID 17 Mold filling machine and method for molding and filling containers

With mold filling machines, the problem arises that the molded plastic containers can still deform due to the weight and weight of the product when they are removed from the molds, because the plastic containers, especially where there are accumulations of material, for example on the support ring, a few millimeters below the Support ring and on the ground, not yet cured.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to advantageously develop known devices and methods for molding and filling plastic containers, so that deformation of the molded and filled plastic containers after removal from the mold can be prevented.

This object is achieved with a mold filling machine according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The mold filling machine according to the invention for molding and filling plastic containers comprises at least one treatment station for expanding forming of Plastic preforms to plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product in the plastic container in the mold. According to the invention, a cooling device for direct or indirect cooling of the plastic containers is arranged in the outlet region of the mold filling machine.

The outlet area is the area in which the plastic containers are removed from the molds by means of a removal and / or transport element and transported away from the respective treatment station and ends with the initiation of the following process step, for example, the closing of the plastic container.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

The cooling device can be designed to cool individual regions, in particular the bottom, support ring, neck and / or shoulder, the plastic container or the entire plastic container. This makes it possible, in particular the places where material accumulations are typically present and therefore slower to cool than other areas of the plastic container, specifically to prevent cooling and deformation.

The cooling device may comprise one or more cooling elements. The or at least one of, in particular all cooling elements can be designed to be movable, in particular pivotable or displaceable. In particular, the cooling elements may be designed to be movable such that their position for cooling different areas and / or for cooling plastic containers of different shape can be adjusted. The cooling device may comprise a drive, for example a motor, which is designed such that it can move the cooling elements. The motor can be controlled by a control device. The control device may be designed such that it comprises the engine based on predetermined values, for example predetermined nominal positions of cooling elements.

The cooling device may comprise one or more cooling elements, each for cooling gripping and / or holding elements, such as grippers and / or clamps, which are designed to remove the plastic container from the mold. The grippers and / or clamps can be, for example, the grippers or clamps in the outlet star or transfer star.

The or the cooling elements can be arranged directly in the transfer area of the plastic container from the mold and the outlet star or transport star.

An example, as described above, indirect cooling of the plastic container by means of the cooled gripping and / or holding elements has the advantage that no coolant residues remain on the plastic container.

The cooling device may comprise a unit for compressed air cooling and / or a unit for liquid cooling. In particular, the unit for compressed air cooling and / or the unit for liquid cooling can each be designed for direct cooling of one or more plastic containers or for cooling one or more gripping and / or holding elements.

The cooling device may comprise one or more cooling elements, which are designed for cooling a storage area for one or more of the plastic containers. The storage area may be formed, for example, in the form of a conveyor belt, for example, the plastic container transported away from the mold. Alternatively or additionally, the cooling device may comprise one or more cooling elements, which are designed to cool one or more receptacles, into each of which one of the plastic containers can be inserted, and, in particular, in which the plastic container can be placed. The receptacle can be designed, for example, in the form of a bowl, which is either directly cooled or filled with a coolant.

This serves to cool the bottom of the plastic containers, where typically a lot of material is accumulated and where insufficient curing can lead to unwanted evasion of the soil due to the weight of the product.

The cooling device may comprise at least one cooling element in the form of a spray unit for spraying at least a portion of the plastic containers and / or the gripping and / or holding elements, in particular for evaporating and spraying with dry ice.

The advantage of dry ice is that it sublimates, ie passes directly from the solid to the gaseous phase, so that no collecting channel is required for a cooling liquid. In addition, dry ice is not abrasive, so it does not cause corrosion.

The cooling device may be stationary or at least partially movable, in particular with the plastic container, in particular along an outlet star or transfer star, be moved, be formed. The cooling device may alternatively be arranged in the region of a closing device. In particular, exactly one, several or all of the cooling elements may be movable, in particular can be moved along. The mobile parts of the cooling device can be moved for example on a rail. The cooling device may in particular comprise a drive, for example a motor, which is designed to move the movable parts along the rail.

Features and advantages described above in connection with the device are also applicable to the method without being explicitly repeated.

The inventive method for expanding forming of plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product in the plastic container in the mold, that in the outlet region of the mold filling machine, the plastic containers are cooled directly or indirectly ,

The cooling of the plastic containers may include cooling of individual regions, in particular the bottom, gripping ring, neck and / or shoulder, the plastic container or the entire plastic container.

The cooling of the plastic containers may include cooling of gripping and / or holding elements, for example grippers and / or clamps, which are designed to remove the plastic containers from the hollow mold.

The plastic containers can be cooled by compressed air and / or contact with a cooling liquid. The compressed air can be generated by the cooling device itself or supplied to this. The cooling liquid can be cooled inside or outside the cooling device. The coolant can be removed or reused from other process areas.

The plastic containers can be placed on a cooled storage surface for cooling or introduced into a receptacle, in particular turned off, which either directly cools the container or contains a coolant with which the plastic container is brought into contact.

The cooling may include spraying at least a portion of the plastic containers and / or the grippers and / or the clips, in particular spraying them with vaporized dry ice.

Instead of dry ice, other fluids can also be used for cooling, in particular, for example, cooling water or liquid gases, for example nitrogen. The plastic containers and / or the gripping and / or holding elements can thus be sprayed, dipped, lapped and / or otherwise brought into contact therewith.

It is important to ensure that, for example, in the joint region of the gripping and / or holding elements no spraying with dry ice takes place, either by arranging the cooling device and / or by attaching a cold protection to the joints.

The plastic containers can be cooled with a cooling device, wherein at least a part of the cooling device moves with the plastic containers, in particular along a transfer star or outlet star.

In an alternative embodiment, the cooling device is arranged directly in the transfer area of the rotating carousel and the rotating outlet star. It is arranged here outside the outlet star. But it can also be arranged directly on the outlet star, for example in the form of arranged below or the container, follower nozzles for applying water or compressed air.

The cooling unit may further be arranged stationary so that the plastic containers in the gripper rotate past it, ideally immediately upon transfer from the mold to the gripper. The neck and bottom of the plastic container are each cooled by means of a first cooling element or by means of a second cooling element, for example by means of blowing air or by spraying coolant, for example dry ice. The cooling element may also be arranged to cool the gripper, but not (substantially) the plastic container.

The cooling device can furthermore be arranged within the outlet star and, for example, have a storage area connected to the outlet star and co-rotating, which is cooled by the cooling device and on which the plastic containers are temporarily parked.

It is understood that in the embodiments described above mentioned features are not limited to these specific combinations and are also possible in any other combinations.

ID 18 Mold filling machine and method for forming and filling containers

The invention relates to a mold filling machine and a method for molding and filling plastic containers.

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms. As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

When hydraulically forming preforms into plastic bottles, on the one hand a fluid must be used that is warm enough that the plastic can be reshaped without stress whitening or haze. On the other hand, the filling product must not be too warm, so that the container is dimensionally stable when removed from the mold. The required heating of the filling product before filling and the subsequent cooling of the filled container are energy intensive and time consuming. In addition, the mold to prevent the crystallization of the plastic must be cooled accordingly fast. Furthermore, the molding with carbonated filling products is disadvantageous because CO ₂ can be solved only to small amounts at high temperatures.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages. In general, the efficiency of container molding and filling should be improved in terms of energy consumption, time and quality of the final product.

These objects are achieved by a method for producing a plastic container and to its filling in a mold according to claims 1 and 7 and a mold-filling machine according to claims 8 and 9. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

By definition, a mold-filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

According to the invention, the method for producing a plastic container and for filling it with at least one filling product in a mold comprises introducing a preform, d. H. Preform, in the mold, in particular in a blow mold, and at least partially producing the plastic container by applying the preform with a filling product having a first temperature, wherein the plastic container is filled within the mold at least partially with a filling product having a second, lower temperature.

The plastic containers to be produced and to be filled may be bottles made of polyester, in particular PET bottles. Molds, in particular blow molds for producing plastic containers are well known in the prior art and are therefore not further described. In general, such a mold comprises two mold halves and a bottom mold which, after introduction of a preform heated in an oven, are brought together to form a plastic container from the preform. After production and filling of the plastic container, the mold is opened again to remove the filled container.

According to the present invention, at least part of the molding of the preform to the plastic container takes place by filling the essentially liquid filling product into the preform or into an already partially formed container. Here and below means essentially liquid, that the filling product in addition to the actual liquid may also have dissolved or undissolved solid components, for example in the form of an emulsion or fruit pieces in fruit juices.

According to the present development, the plastic container is formed at least partially by applying a pressure to the preform with a filling product having a first temperature. The first temperature is in this case depending on the material of the plastic container and / or the chosen fill product to be filled. The glass transition temperature of PET is about 75-80 ° C. For the first molding of the container, the first temperature should be significantly higher, at least at 80 ° C up to 120 ° C. (Classically, preforms are blown at a temperature between 95 and 115 ° C.) For example, the first temperature for a still, ie CO ₂ -free, filling product can be selected higher than for a carbonated filling product. The first temperature can be chosen such that the plastic of the container can be deformed by the introduced under pressure into the preform filling product. In particular, the first temperature can be selected such that the temperature of the plastic during the partial molding of the container does not fall below the glass transition temperature of the plastic. This makes it possible in particular to form a PET container without whitening or turbidity. To form the plastic container, the filling product is introduced under pressure into the preform, wherein the pressure can be selected depending on the plastic used and the filling product to be filled. For example, to introduce a carbonated filling product, a relatively high pressure of 1.5 to 9 bar can be chosen to avoid outgassing of the dissolved carbonic acid from the product. At a carbonation of 7 g / l CO ₂ (typical for carbonated soft drinks), the saturation pressure at a temperature of for example 40 ° C at 6.6 bar (gauge). At a temperature of 30 ° C, the equilibrium pressure at 4.7 bar (ü) sets. In order to prevent a rapid outgassing of the CO ₂ after opening the blow mold, the temperature should be below 10 ° C, which corresponds to a saturation pressure of 2.1 bar (g). Also, the pressure can be selected to correspond to the pressure of a preform in the preform to overcome.

Since the filling product generally has a high heat capacity similar to water, it is desirable to lower the temperature of the plastic container prior to opening the mold, for example to avoid bulging of the still warm container bottom or a general loss of container shape. For this reason, the plastic container is filled after its at least partial molding by means of the filling product with the first temperature at least partially with a filling product having a second, lower temperature. The second temperature can be considerably lower than the first temperature and, for example, at room temperature or storage temperature. By at least partially filling the container with the filling product at the second temperature, the temperature of the container filling drops so far that the plastic without crystallization of the PET used, dimensionally stable. In addition, the container filling can also be cooled so far that further cooling of the filled container can be omitted.

According to a specific development, the filling product with the first temperature may be equal to the filling product with the second temperature. Thus, one after the other, the same filling product is filled with different temperatures in the auszuformenden container. In particular, for still beverages such as still waters, juices or tea products, such a method is advantageous since a debindering of CO ₂ by the higher, first temperature does not have to be avoided.

Alternatively, the first temperature fill product may be different from the second temperature fill product. This is generally the case with mixed drinks such as soft drinks, where the final beverage is made by adding syrup. Even with carbonated beverages, in particular the lower temperature filling product can be enriched with a higher proportion of carbonic acid due to the lower saturation pressure than the filling product with the first temperature, so that the carbonic acid content can be adjusted in the mixed product according to the recipe. Likewise, in the further embodiment described below, in which at least part of the filled filling product having the first temperature is replaced by the filling product having the second temperature, the use of different filling products is conceivable.

According to a further development of the plastic container can be substantially completely formed by applying the preform with the filling product having the first temperature, wherein the filling product is at least partially replaced with the first temperature by the filling product with the second temperature during filling. In this case, the filling product is filled at the second temperature in the still in the form, molded container. In this case, essentially completely formed is to be understood as meaning that the container has reached its final shape except for production tolerances. According to this embodiment, the container is filled after filling the filling product with the first temperature for the most part, so that the filling of the filling product with the second temperature has to displace the already filled filling product with the higher temperature at least partially.

In order to prevent overflow of the container, therefore, the filling product with the first temperature before and / or during filling with the filling product with the second temperature can be actively withdrawn from the plastic container or, in the case of sealingly provided in engagement with the mouth of the container. and / or blowing nozzle, are pressed by a designated return line. An active retraction can be achieved, for example, by controlled or controlled lifting of a Reciprocating carried out, which is arranged in a pressure chamber for the filling product at the first temperature. As a result, the filled filling product with the first temperature is quasi sucked out of the container, the return line for the filled filling product and the feed line for the filling product to be filled advantageously being arranged at different heights along the longitudinal extent of the container.

The withdrawn fill product will generally be less than the first temperature due to cooling in contact with the feed lines and the container wall and mixing with the second temperature fill product. In order to ensure a consistent quality of the produced container, the withdrawn filling product can therefore be heated again to the first temperature. This can be done in the above-mentioned pressure chamber and / or in the supply or return line.

According to an alternative development of the plastic container can be formed only partially by applying the preform with the filling product with the first temperature, wherein the remaining shape of the plastic container is carried out by filling with the filling product at the second temperature. Such a "pre-blowing" of the preform with the filling product at the first temperature can be carried out, for example, until the preform has undergone at least 50%, preferably at least 80% of its final longitudinal stretching. The bulk of the transverse stretching in the radial direction can then be done by filling the filling product with the lower temperature. In this method, a pre-oven temperature profile of the preform is not overly affected by the first temperature fill product, yet the container wall may be internally cooled by the remainder of the lower temperature fill product forming. Thus it can be dispensed with a separate cooling of the mold. Again, the method described is particularly advantageous for carbonated beverages, such as beers.

The abovementioned objects are also achieved by a method for producing a plastic container and filling it with a filling product in a blow mold, which comprises introducing a preform into the blow mold and subjecting the preform to a gaseous blowing medium, wherein the plastic container is acted upon by the application is formed only partially with the gaseous blowing medium, and wherein the remaining shape of the plastic container is carried out by filling with the filling product. Instead of the previously described "pre-blowing" with a filling product having a first, higher temperature, according to this development, a gaseous blowing medium, for example compressed air or compressed inert gas or CO ₂ , is used to partially mold the container. Here too, for example, compressed gas can be injected until the preform has undergone at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, of its final longitudinal stretching. The rest of the molding is carried out in this development by filling with the filling product under pressure, wherein the previously injected gas is urged by a suitable line, such as a partially retracted, hollowed stretch rod or a special blast, from the filling product from the container. The pressure of the filling product also depends here again on the material of the container and the product to be filled. For example, the pressure may be 1 to 6 bar above the saturation pressure of carbonic acid in a carbonated product to avoid debinding of CO ₂ from the charged product. Characterized in that the container is already partially formed after the application of the gaseous medium, a relatively cold product can be used during filling of the filling product, so that the then molded container is sufficiently dimensionally stable already in the blow mold and thus does not need to be further cooled. Also, this can be dispensed with a separate cooling of the blow mold.

Also, the above objects are achieved by a mold filling machine for producing a plastic container and filling it with a filling product in a mold having a mold for molding a plastic container from a preform, a feed pipe for feeding the filling product to the mold, a pressure generator to convey the filling product under pressure in the supply line, and a controllable heating device for heating a part of the guided through the supply line filling product. The same variations and developments described above in connection with the method according to the invention can also be applied to the form filling machine mentioned here. In particular, the mold filling machine according to this development can be used to carry out the above-described method for at least partially molding the container with a filling product having a first temperature and filling it with a filling product having a second temperature.

According to this development, the mold filling machine comprises a feed line for feeding the filling product to the mold. In this case, the supply line, for example, connect a storage container for the filling product with a filling nozzle or a filling line, which is placed on the mouth of the preform in the mold or introduced through this in the preform. As a filling line is For example, a hollowed stretch rod conceivable, which is formed linearly movable. The supply line is designed for the transported products to be transported and applied pressures with a suitable cross-section. A pressure generator is arranged on or in the feed line such that the filling product can be conveyed at the desired pressure in the feed line. According to this development, the mold filling machine has a controllable heating device for heating filling product guided through the supply line. The heating device can be arranged, for example, as a continuous flow heater on the supply line, so that the filling product guided through the supply line can be heated to a desired temperature.

In order to guarantee a predetermined, first temperature of the heated filling product when entering the preform, the heating device can be regulated by means of a control and / or regulating device of the mold filling machine in dependence on a flow of the product in the supply line and the heat capacity of the product. In addition, the heater can be operated depending on time or level, so that, as described above, first heated filling product is pressed into the preform in order then to fill the filling product at a lower temperature. For controlling the heating device suitable level sensors, for example as a weighing element, may be provided on the mold. Similarly, temperature sensors, flow sensors and / or pressure sensors may be provided in the supply line upstream or downstream of the heater. According to this embodiment, the above-described methods for molding and filling at different temperatures can be implemented with a single supply line and a single reservoir, resulting in a particularly compact design of the mold filling machine.

According to an alternative development, the mold filling machine for producing a plastic container and for filling it with a filling product in a mold, a mold for molding or stretching a plastic container from a preform, a first supply line for supplying a medium to the mold for at least partially molding the plastic container and a pressure generator to convey the medium under pressure in the first supply line, wherein a second supply line is provided for supplying the filling product to the mold. Optionally, a further pressure generator may be provided to convey the filling product under pressure in the second supply line. Alternatively, the conveying of the filling product under pressure, however, can also be carried out with the same pressure generator, which serves to convey the medium. According to this development, separate feed lines, optionally with separate pressure generators, are provided for the medium and the filling product at the second temperature, so that the medium and the filling product can be introduced independently of one another into the container to be formed. In this case, the medium may be the gaseous medium described above, which is blown into the preform for the partial molding of the plastic container. Likewise, the medium may be the above-described filling product having a first, higher temperature. In particular, with this development variants are possible in which the filling product with the first temperature as described above is different from the filling product with the second temperature.

The first and the second supply line can open into a common blowing filling nozzle or a common filling line or else into separate filling lines. In particular, in the case of the above-described withdrawal of the filling product with the first temperature, a separate filling nozzle or filling line for the filling product with the second temperature is recommended. The first and the second supply line can each connect a storage container for the medium or the filling product with the filling nozzles or filling lines. The pressure of the medium or filling product can be selected as described above and adjusted in particular by means of a control and / or regulating device via a control or regulation of the respective pressure generator as a function of the material to be formed and the product to be conveyed.

According to a specific development, the gaseous medium may be a compressed gas, wherein the first pressure generator may be a compressor. The gas can be air, an inert gas or CO ₂ . Instead of the compressor, a pump can be used. For "pre-blowing" of the preform, the gas can for example be compressed to pressures between 10 and 40 bar, preferably between 20 and 30 bar. When using a compressed gas as the medium, a separate conduit may be provided in the mouth region of the container for the discharge of the gas during the filling of the filling product. Alternatively, the gas can be pushed back by the filled filling product under pressure in the first supply line to be stored there or in the associated reservoir under pressure.

According to an alternative development, the medium may comprise the filling product and / or another filling product, wherein the first pressure generator comprises a pump or a pressure chamber with reciprocating piston. In particular, the medium through the filling product at a different, higher temperature than the filling product of the second supply line or by another filling product, preferably with the be given first, higher temperature. The supply lines and pressure generator can be designed accordingly. In particular, the first pressure generator may comprise a pump for conveying the liquid medium. Alternatively, the pressure for conveying the liquid medium can be generated by means of a pressure chamber with reciprocating piston. By controlled or controlled lowering of the reciprocating piston into the pressure chamber filled with the medium, a predetermined amount of medium can be pressed from the pressure chamber through the first feed line into the preform. The pressure chamber can thus simultaneously serve as a metering chamber, wherein the initial position of the reciprocating piston can be adjusted by means of the control and / or regulating device according to the amount of medium to be filled.

The above-described pressure chamber can also be used for at least partially withdrawing the medium from the container via appropriate control of the reciprocating piston to at least partially replace the filling product with the first temperature by the filling product with the second, lower temperature as described above. In this case, as already described, the pressure chamber and / or the first supply line may have a heating device for heating the withdrawn filling product to the first temperature. Likewise, by connecting the pressure chamber to the storage container for the medium, the pressure chamber no longer completely filled due to a part of the medium remaining in the container can be refilled.

According to a further development, the medium and / or the filling product can be guided via a common feed, in particular a hollow-drilled stretching rod, into the plastic container to be formed. Stretch bars for stretch forming plastic containers are well known in the art. According to this development, however, the stretching rod is hollow, with an opening at the lower end and / or lateral openings along the stretching rod serving to discharge the introduced medium or filling product. The stretch rod is designed to be linearly movable, so that filling can take place at any height along the longitudinal direction of the container. When using a stretch rod with lateral openings results in a particularly good mixing of the filling product with the first temperature with the filling product with the second temperature.

Alternatively, the mold filling machine may have separate feeds for the medium and the filling product. For example, the filling product can be introduced at the first temperature via the stretching rod described above, while the filling product is introduced at the second temperature via a separate filling line. The opening of the linearly movable stretch rod is then as far as possible when retracting the filling product with the first temperature from the opening of the separate filling line in order to withdraw as little as possible filling product at the second temperature. For example, the opening of the separate filling line can be arranged in the mouth region of the container, while the opening of the stretching rod remains in the bottom region of the container.

The mold filling machine may further comprise at least one control valve to regulate the supply of the medium and / or the filling product to the mold or into the container. In this case, valves in the supply lines, the filling lines, in the inlet to the one or more pressure chambers, in the outlet of the reservoir and / or be provided on any exit or return lines. The control valves can be opened and closed by a common or separate control and / or regulating devices in order to realize the above-described method for molding and filling of the plastic container.

The described developments allow an energy-efficient and reliable production and filling of plastic containers with high quality. By "pre-blowing" with compressed gas or hot fill product, the need for energy to compress or heat the fill product can be reduced if part of the forming occurs by filling the cold fill product. As a result, it is also possible to cool the filled container at the same time and thus to harden in a dimensionally stable manner. On an additional cooling in the wake for filling and cooling of the mold can thus be dispensed with. Similarly, by retracting the hot mold liquid and replacing it with cold fill product, much of the energy used can be recovered without sacrificing the benefits of rapid cooling. Since thus at least a portion of the filling product is filled in cold, the described developments are particularly suitable for filling carbonated drinks. In addition, mixed drinks can be produced in a simple way at the same time.

Further features and exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. It is understood that the embodiments do not exhaust the scope of the present invention. It is further understood that some or all of the features described below may be combined with each other in other ways.

Hereinafter, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. A repeated description of these elements is omitted for the sake of clarity. In addition, it should be understood that in the following embodiments, some or all of the elements may be replaced or combined with similar elements described in connection with other embodiments.

ID 19 mold filling machine

The invention relates to a mold filling machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for molding and filling plastic containers according to the preamble of claim 6.

State of the art

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

By definition, a mold-filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

In order to realize certain surface profiles on the container during molding, it is known to locally cool the container prior to molding. For this purpose, for example, cold air can be used or a heating of only certain areas of the preform (preferential heating) can take place in an oven upstream of the mold-filling machine.

Due to heat exchange with the environment and in particular the poor cooling performance in air as used local cooling medium, these methods can be realized only with great effort with the highest possible accuracy.

task

The invention is based on the object of the prior art to improve the local cooling of individual areas of the preform before the final molding of the container.

solution

This object is achieved by the mold filling machine according to independent claim 1 and the mold filling method according to independent claim 6. Advantageous developments of the invention are covered in the subclaims.

The mold filling machine according to the invention for molding preforms into containers and filling the containers is characterized in that the means for local cooling are designed so that a liquid medium can be introduced into the preform on the at least one locally to be cooled area before the preform completely is formed. By locally cooling with a liquid medium, such as water, a significantly faster cooling can take place, since liquids generally have a much higher heat capacity than gases. Thus, not only can it be ensured that the areas of the preform or the container being formed are cooled with high reliability, but also the time required for local cooling can be reduced, which can increase the throughput of the entire mold filling machine.

It can be provided that the medium is the product to be filled into the container. With this embodiment, the subsequent to the molding of the container filling process can be shortened.

Furthermore, the means may comprise a lance insertable into a preform having one or more nozzles through which the medium may be applied to the area. Depending on the shape of the lance and the corresponding nozzle openings certain requirements for the cooling profile can be met.

In a further development of this embodiment, the lance is a stretch rod used to form the container. Since the stretch rod is retracted completely or completely into the container to be formed when preforms are stretched toward the container, cooling of certain regions can already take place during stretching in all regions.

In one embodiment, the mold filling machine is characterized in that product can be passed into the preform through the lance for at least partially forming the preform. If the product is used not only for the cooling but also for the molding of the actual container, the time required for the subsequent filling of the container can be further reduced.

The mold filling method according to the invention for molding containers from preforms and filling the containers is characterized in that a liquid medium is used for locally cooling the at least one region. This method allows a much more effective and faster cooling of certain areas of the preform or the container being formed.

In one embodiment, the mold filling process is characterized in that the medium is the product to be filled into the container. The subsequent filling can be done in less time. Furthermore, the heat exchange of the filled product with the inner surface of the preform or container may be used to sterilize the heating product.

In one embodiment, the mold filling process is characterized in that the medium is introduced into the preform via a lance insertable into the preform with one or more nozzles. By choosing the shape, orientation and position of the nozzle, a specific area of the container can be cooled. For example, the area of the preform to be cooled comprises a strip parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the preform. A targeted cooling of these areas can be achieved by a suitable choice of openings, such as the nozzles in the lance.

In a development, the lance is a stretch rod used for molding.

The mold filling method according to a further embodiment is characterized in that the cooling takes place by applying and draining the medium to the preform inside. As the medium used distributes on the inside of the preform, a temperature gradient may also be generated in the cooled region by the slowly heating medium, with the impingement point of the cooling medium in the preform being at the lowest temperature and the temperature of the preform being removed to the exit point, depending on the flow rate, temperature and heat capacity and conductivity of the cooling medium increases.

In a development of this embodiment, the application pressure of the medium is determined as a function of a predetermined temperature distribution. By adjusting the pressure as a function of a predetermined distribution, the flow velocity of the distributing medium can be influenced and thus a certain temperature distribution can be achieved.

Furthermore, the cooling can take place before the container has been formed up to 70%, preferably 50% of its target size. Since the cooling with a liquid medium, compared with gaseous cooling, is very effective, can be made for impressing a temperature gradient or a temperature distribution on the inside of the container, the cooling even in an already almost trained container.

In particular, the cooling takes place after the preform has already reached at least 10%, preferably at least 30% of its target size. Under target size is understood in particular the volume.

In particular, cooling with product can take place only when the preform has already experienced at least 30%, preferably 50%, more preferably 80% of its extent in the longitudinal direction (radial direction unconsidered). Thus, the wall thickness during cooling is thinner and the cooling more effective. This is especially true if an influence of the wall thickness profile to take place in the circumferential direction.

In particular, the preform is stretched by means of a stretch rod up to a Blasformboden completely in its longitudinal direction, while a gaseous medium surrounding the stretching rod annular gas nozzle is introduced into the container (pre-blowing). Subsequently, the cooling product is introduced into the container via a filling nozzle or via the blowing nozzle itself, in such a way that in the circumferential direction of the preform at least a range of 5 ° with the product and a range of at least 5 ° are not wetted with the product. The wetted area cools down as a result. Already during this or shortly thereafter, the container can be completely expanded in the radial direction by means of a gaseous medium. Alternatively, the container can be fully expanded shortly thereafter with the product itself.

• – in Umfangsrichtung des Vorformlings mindestens ein Bereich von 5° mit dem Produkt somit abgekühlt und ein Bereich von mindestens 5° nicht mit dem Produkt benetzt werden. und/oder
• – in Längsrichtung des Vorformlings mindestens ein Bereich von 0,5 cm² mit dem Produkt und ein Bereich von mindestens 0,5 cm² nicht mit dem Produkt benetzt werden. Diese Alternative geschieht insbesondere währenddessen (während einem sehr kurzen Zeitraum) oder bevorzugt schon kurz vorher.

In an alternative, the preform is stretched by means of a stretch rod up to a Blasformboden completely in its longitudinal direction, while a gaseous medium surrounding the stretching rod annular medium is introduced into the container (pre-blowing). Subsequently or already during this time, the cooling product is filled or injected into the container via the stretching rod in such a way that

• - In the circumferential direction of the preform at least a range of 5 ° with the product thus cooled and a range of at least 5 ° are not wetted with the product. and or
• - In the longitudinal direction of the preform at least a range of 0.5 cm ² with the product and a range of at least 0.5 cm ^{2 are} not wetted with the product. This alternative happens in particular during this time (for a very short period of time) or preferably just before.

Even during these steps or shortly thereafter, the container can be completely expanded in the radial direction by means of a gaseous medium. Alternatively, the container can be fully expanded shortly thereafter with the product itself.

In particular, when product is introduced through the stretching rod to cool the preform in certain areas along its longitudinal axis, it involves very small amounts of product, causing only very little cooling of the underlying areas (in the direction of gravity) by trickling down. In one embodiment, the mold filling process is characterized in that the molding takes place with product.

In addition, the molding can be carried out in two sub-steps, wherein in the first sub-step the molding with hot product or air takes place and in the second sub-step takes place the molding with cold product. The molding with hot product can be used to sterilize the inside of the container. When air is used, due to the lower heat capacity of the gas, the temperature distribution on the inside of the container remains approximately constant during the molding process, so that undesirable effects due to heating or cooling of the container during molding can be suppressed. The introduction of cold product in the second part of the molding allows effective cooling of the molded container.

ID 20 mold filling machine

The invention relates to a mold filling machine and a method for molding and filling plastic containers.

State of the art

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

Alternatively to inflate the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

By definition, a mold-filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

task

Based on the known prior art, the invention has the object to realize as low as possible oxygen in a container filled in a mold filling container.

solution

This object is achieved by the method for producing containers from preforms according to claim 1 and the Form filling machine solved according to claim 7. Advantageous developments of the invention are covered in the subclaims.

The inventive method for producing containers from preforms is characterized in that after completion of the filling process in the headspace remaining gas is replaced by a particular inert purge gas. So it can be prevented that z. B. oxygen remains in the headspace, the product, in particular z. As beer could spoil in the filled container.

In one embodiment of the invention, a lance is retracted with a nozzle during the molding and filling process in the container and moved to introduce the purge gas in the head area. Since the lance with the nozzle displaces volume, thereby already the volume of air in the container and thus also in the headspace is reduced.

In particular, inert gas, preferably CO2, is used as purge gas. Thus, unwanted reactions of the purge gas can be avoided with the product and the durability can be increased.

In one embodiment, the method is characterized in that the preform is stretched during molding by a stretched in the preform stretch rod, which is moved out after molding from the container, and then the product is filled into the container.

In a further development of this embodiment, the purge gas is introduced via the stretch rod, preferably in the case of a completely or almost completely extended stretch rod out of the container. The stretching rod thus takes over both the stretching and the introduction of the purge gas.

In one embodiment, the preform is sealed airtight by a closure device prior to forming and until after introduction of the purge gas. A potentially undesirable air circulation over the product in the filled container and contamination of the product can thereby be avoided.

The mold filling machine according to the invention for carrying out the method is characterized in that a blow-out device is provided for blowing out of the remaining space in the headspace of the container after filling gas by means of a purge gas. With this device, in particular in the head area remaining oxygen can be displaced, which the shelf life of the product, eg. B. of beer, increased.

In one embodiment, it is provided that a stretch rod is provided in the mold filling station, which can stretch a container during molding, wherein the stretch rod in the preform is retractable and extendable from the container. Due to its intrinsic volume, the stretch rod reduces the gas volume remaining above the liquid level in the container.

If the stretching rod is pulled out, the volume in the head area, in which gas can still remain, increases. Preferably, the stretch rod itself is used as a blow-out, d. H. the stretch rod receives a purge gas connection / channel.

It can be provided that the nozzle is arranged on the stretch rod. This design can be made smaller than when using an additional lance or a separate nozzle.

In a further embodiment, the mold filling machine is characterized in that a closure device is provided, which can be positioned around the opening of the preform for airtight sealing prior to molding, wherein the lance is arranged in the closure device. Air circulation can be avoided and possibly even the retention of unwanted gases in the headspace.

The purge gas can be diverted, for example, from a product channel. It is also conceivable to introduce the purge gas from a compressor in the machine.

It would also be conceivable that the container is at least partially reshaped or inflated by means of pressurized inert gas or CO ₂ . In particular, the container receives between 20% and 95%, preferably between 30% and 90%, of its later volume by partial blow molding with the inert gas. In particular, the container receives between 30% and 100%, preferably between 50% and 100% of its longitudinal extent (from mouth to bottom) during partial blow molding. In particular, in the partial pre-blowing of the container, a stretching rod is introduced into it, which causes a longitudinal extension of the preform.

In particular, the final product is a carbonated beverage.

As mentioned, CO ₂ can also be used to inflate the container.

In particular, all devices (compressor, lines, tanks, rotary distributors, mold filling stations, blowing / filling nozzle) can be heated in the areas with which the CO ₂ comes into contact.

It would also be conceivable to supply the CO _{2 of} the machine liquid and to heat it within the machine just before it is introduced into the preform so that it becomes gaseous.

Methods and apparatus referred to in this document for all use (except the carbonization) - especially if a non carbonated beverage is to be dispensed, one can instead of the CO ₂ 's also other inert gas - in particular nitrogen. In particular, this offers the advantage that little oxygen is present in the container.

If the CO _{2 is} discharged for recycling from the machine through the rotary distributor, in particular a separate track in the rotary distributor is provided for this purpose.

In addition to a product-leading track, a CO ₂ -leading track for introducing CO ₂ in the rotating part of the machine, a further track in the rotary distributor for taking out CO _{2 can be} provided. In particular, the lead-out CO _{2 is introduced} between two compressor stages and / or used to carbonize the beverage and routed in lines to one or both of these devices.

For supplying CO ₂ valves can be provided, which can be opened controllable. Through a valve, a CO ₂ -deriving tank or annular channel can be connected under a Vorblasdruck with the container to be produced. By means of a second valve, a ring channel or tank which is under a finished blowing pressure can be connected to the container to be produced. In particular, the first valve is first opened, then closed again, and then the second valve is opened. While the second valve is still open or immediately after closing the second valve, the first valve is opened again to return some of the CO ₂ 's back to the first tank. Thereafter, the other steps of use discussed above may additionally take place.

If one needs to blow out the container a larger amount than the only then under Vorblasdruck standing CO ₂ in the container, so you can do without the recycling in the tank under Vorblasdruck.

In particular, the preform or container consists of more than 80% PET.

In particular, the finished molded container has a petaloid bottom.

In a preferred method, the stretching rod is driven into the preform to stretch the preform until a bottom of a blow mold is reached. Subsequently, the stretch rod is completely pulled out of the container in order to provide the largest possible cross section for a filling process. Subsequently, the stretch rod is re-introduced into the headspace of the container to blow it out. Subsequently, the stretch rod is pulled out of the container again.

Instead of pulling the stretching rod completely out of the container for the filling process, it can also stay in the headspace of the container and be used, for example, to guide the product (beverage) through an umbrella present on the stretching rod to the container outer wall.

In particular, a blowing nozzle (or filling nozzle) is used for the steps of inflation, which annularly surrounds the stretching rod and which is positioned in the mouth region of the container, in particular sealingly positioned on the container or the mold. The filling also happens in particular via the blowing nozzle.

ID 21 mold filling machine

The invention relates to a mold filling machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and claim 7.

State of the art

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

By definition, a mold-filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a hollow mold and for introducing a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

task

Object of the present invention is to develop known devices and methods for molding and filling plastic containers in an advantageous manner.

solution

This object is achieved with a mold filling machine according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The mold filling machine according to the invention is characterized in that the filling valve is connected quickly exchangeable with the mold filling station. In this way, the filling valve can be replaced with relatively little effort, for example, for cleaning purposes or for replacement when using other products or for realizing other requirements.

In a further embodiment it can be provided that the filling valve is non-positively and positively connected to the mold filling station. A malposition of the filling valve and a concomitant incorrect filling of product in the container can be avoided.

In a further embodiment, the filling valve and the mold filling station can be detachably connected to one another via at least one of eccentric levers, clamping levers, centerlock levers. These compounds are solvable, but provide an accurate positive and positive connections of the elements with each other.

It may additionally or alternatively be provided that the filling valve comprises a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic material and the mold filling station comprises an electromagnet, wherein the releasable connection is formed by the magnets. This embodiment allows by switching on and off of the electromagnet easier and faster replacement of the filling valve.

It can further be provided that the filling valve is arranged in a mold / filler block, which comprises a part of the stretch rod for stretching the preform, and wherein the mold / filling block is connected quickly interchangeable with the mold filling station. Thus, the entire mold / filler block can be exchanged and, for example, adapted to certain conditions, such as introducing another product. Additionally, in the event of a defect, the mold / filler block may be replaced altogether to minimize downtime that would occur if debugging the built-in mold / fill block.

In a further development of this embodiment, a piston for introducing medium through the filling valve in the form / filling block can be arranged.

An alternative form filling machine for achieving the above object is characterized in that the filling valve can be isolated from the environment and can be cleaned in isolation. According to this mold filling machine according to the invention, it is no longer necessary to expand the filling valve for the purpose of cleaning, so that, for example, between two different Füllchargen a cleaning of the filling valve can be done. By isolating the filling valve, the splash of cleaning medium or product remaining in the filling valve can be avoided so that the rest of the mold filling machine is not affected.

In one embodiment, the mold filling machine according to the invention is characterized in that a cap can be positioned over the outlet of the filling valve, which can close the filling valve in a region from the environment, wherein in the filling valve and in the area a cleaning medium for cleaning the filling valve are introduced can. The area in which the filling valve is isolated from the environment can thus be chosen to be relatively small, which also reduces the amount of cleaning medium to be used.

In a development of this embodiment it can be provided that the cleaning medium is guided through a line connected to the filling valve, is guided from the filling valve into the area and sucked off again by suction. It can thus be ensured a continuous flow of cleaning medium, so that any contamination of the filling valve does not remain in the environment and in particular neither in the cap nor in the filling valve.

In an alternative development of the embodiment, it is provided that a cleaning medium is guided through the cap into the region and the filling valve and is sucked out of the filling valve and the region by means of a suction. So Additional lines which have to be designed in the mold filling station in order to supply cleaning medium to the filling valve can be saved, which can lead to a smaller mold filling station. Since the cap and the associated lines can be formed as a separate unit, they can only be supplied to the appropriate filling valve when needed.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the filling valve is retractable in a cleaning position, wherein in the cleaning position, a cleaning device is arranged, which can clean the filling valve. This cleaning position can be arranged, for example, with rotating mold filling machines between the feeders and the discharge conveyors for the preform or container, so that in necessary cleaning the corresponding mold filling station is driven with the filling valve in this position and cleaned by the cleaning device.

Furthermore, a liquid or gaseous cleaning medium can be used. A liquid cleaning medium can develop a very high cleaning effect, whereas a gaseous cleaning medium can be sucked out of the filling valve almost without residue, so that the further operation can run smoothly and not possibly contaminated by the filling valve product is contaminated with the cleaning medium.

ID 22 Apparatus and method for molding a plastic container

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a treatment station for forming a plastic container, which comprises a mold for receiving a heated plastic preform, and a mold filling machine with such a treatment station. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for molding a plastic container, which comprises positioning a heated plastic preform in a hollow mold.

State of the art

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

Alternatively to inflating the container with compressed air, describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

Object of the present invention is to develop known devices and methods for molding and filling plastic containers in an advantageous manner.

By definition, a mold-filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

The conventional stretch blow process is divided into the prior art in two phases, the so-called pre-blowing in which the preform is stretched and formed under compressed air supply at a first Vorblasdruck to a bubble and the so-called final blowing, in which the pre-blown bottle under a higher compressed air level fully formed becomes. The disadvantage here is that the pre-blowing in this way often does not lead to a defined size and shape of the Vorblase. Furthermore, compressed air is a very expensive process medium, which is why a reduction of its consumption is sought.

Description of the invention

It is therefore the object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular to avoid the undefined formation of the pre-bubble and to design the geometry of the pre-bubble independently of the temperature profile in the plastic preform.

This object is achieved by a treatment station for forming a plastic container according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The treatment station according to the invention for forming a plastic container comprises a hollow mold for receiving a heated plastic preform and is characterized by a mechanical spreading device for spreading a plastic preform accommodated in the hollow mold, whereby an intermediate mold can be formed from the plastic preform.

The heated plastic preform is spread by the mechanical spreading in this way in a defined form, namely the intermediate form. In the resulting pre-bubble can then be filled directly under pressure product. As a result of the pressure, the bubble is further stretched until it bears against the wall of the hollow mold and images the bottle contour. Advantage of the invention is that the heated plastic is less in contact with the product, which has a temperature which is below the temperature of the plastic preform. Further, it is advantageous that the pre-bubble is generated mechanically, since it is so independent of the inflowing medium and thus forms defined.

A further development of the treatment station according to the invention consists in that the mechanical spreading device can be arranged on a stretching rod or on a filling tube, wherein the stretching rod or the filling tube can be introduced into the plastic preform and the stretching rod is designed to stretch the plastic preform in the axial direction of the stretching rod. In this way it is avoided to introduce the mechanical spreader in a separate step in the plastic preform, since a stretch rod or a filling tube is to be introduced in any case.

The mechanical spreading device may comprise a plurality of spreading elements which are each movable in different directions, the spreading elements in particular wires, preferably made of metal, most preferably made of spring steel. Alternatively or additionally, the spreading elements may comprise a linkage, in particular of metal or plastic. The spreading elements may also include elastically flexible strips on metal or plastic.

The spreading elements are preferably movable in different radial direction with respect to an axis of the plastic preform or with respect to an axis of the spreading device. In this way, a radial expansion of the plastic preform is achieved. The use of wires as part of the spreader also has the advantage that form at the contact points of the wires with the plastic recesses, so-called. Sicke, which may be formed after a final step of expanding the intermediate form on the final shape as stiffening ribs, which increases the axial load capacity of the bottle.

The mechanical spreading device may comprise one or more sliding sleeves, whereby by moving the sliding sleeve or sliding sleeves, a movement of the spreading device is executable, comprising a radial component, wherein the sliding sleeves can be arranged in particular on the stretch rod or the filling tube and wherein the respective ends the spreading can be attached to the sliding sleeve. In addition, the opposite ends of the spreading can be attached to a stretch rod tip.

The treatment station can furthermore be designed for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the intermediate mold, at the same time forming an end shape of the plastic container from the intermediate mold predetermined by the hollow mold.

A mold filling machine according to the invention comprises a treatment station according to the invention for forming a plastic container or any of its developments, which are described above, and in particular a furnace for heating the plastic preform.

The above-described object is further achieved by a method of molding a plastic container, comprising the steps of positioning a heated plastic preform in a mold, inserting a mechanical expander into the positioned plastic preform, and spreading the plastic preform with the spreader, thereby forming an intermediate mold ,

The spreading of the plastic preform may be in a plurality of different radial directions with respect to an axis of the plastic preform or the spreader.

The method may include stretching the plastic preform in the axial direction of a stretch rod.

The spreading of the plastic preform may include forming one or more beads in the intermediate mold.

The method may include the following further steps: filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the intermediate mold, thereby simultaneously forming the final shape of the plastic container from the intermediate mold, with the bead (s) being preferred one or more stiffening ribs are formed in the final shape of the plastic container.

The advantages of the invention stated in relation to the treatment station apply correspondingly to the method according to the invention and / or its developments.

The cited developments can be used individually or combined as claimed suitable.

Further features and exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. It is understood that the embodiments do not exhaust the scope of the present invention. It is further understood that some or all of the features described below may be combined with each other in other ways.

ID 23 mold filling machine with cleaning

The invention relates to a mold filling machine and a method for molding and filling plastic containers.

State of the art

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. A fluid is also introduced to produce the final container shape. The fluid corresponds to the liquid remaining in the container and thus remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

By definition, a mold-filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

task

Based on the prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide a mold filling, with the filling of a molded in the mold filling plant clean, preferably even sterilized container is made possible.

solution

This object is achieved by the mold filling system according to claim 1 and the method for producing containers from preforms according to claim 9. Advantageous developments of the invention are covered in the subclaims.

The mold filling system according to the invention is characterized in that a cleaning device is arranged in the transport direction of the preforms after the heating module, which can clean the preform. As a result of the cleaning following downstream of the heating, the preform can be cleaned prior to shaping, preferably even sterilized, so that the container is as clean as possible during the molding and filling of the container.

In one embodiment, the mold filling plant is characterized in that the cleaning device can introduce a gaseous or liquid cleaning medium into the preform. In one embodiment, the cleaning medium may have a sterilizing effect, such as a sterilizing gas.

In a further embodiment, the cleaning device is arranged on a transport path in front of the mold filling machine. The cleaning of the preform with the cleaning device prior to entry into the mold filling machine allows a decoupling of the cleaning of the other process steps, so that, for example, a subsequent inspection cleaning can allow sorting out incorrectly cleaned preform. In addition, this arrangement optionally also allows the possibility of swiveling the preform during cleaning to facilitate the removal of contaminants.

In another embodiment, the cleaning device is in the mold filling machine arranged and can clean the preform prior to molding. This embodiment allows the provision of a compact mold filling plant, since cleaning, shaping and filling can take place in one machine. It also reduces the risk of contamination after cleaning.

In a further development of this embodiment, a cleaning element which can be introduced into the preform is provided in each mold filling station, which can introduce a cleaning medium into the preform. The cleaning element can be introduced for example in the form of a lance in the preform, so that a direct entry of cleaning medium in the preform is possible.

In a further development, the mold filling plant is characterized in that a treatment nozzle (or alternatively: "a combined filling and treatment nozzle") is provided in the mold filling station, which comprises a cleaning valve and a mold valve, wherein the treatment nozzle introduced into this for cleaning the preform can be and close the preform airtight and wherein a medium can be introduced through the mold valve in the cleaned and completed preform for molding the container. The airtight sealing of the preform by the treatment nozzle ensures that at least the inside of the preform is not further contaminated after cleaning.

The defined removal of the purge gas through the nozzle allows reproducible cleaning processes and prevents cross-contamination of the substations with purged gas.

In an advantageous development, the mold valve is designed to fill product into the container. Since product can be introduced into the container so directly after cleaning, the time between cleaning and filling is reduced, which further reduces the risk of undesired contamination.

Furthermore, the mold valve may be configured to carry out the molding of the container directly with the product as a medium. This further reduces the time between cleaning and filling and minimizes the risk of contamination.

The inventive method for producing containers from preforms is characterized in that the preforms are cleaned prior to molding. This process can provide clean preforms for mold filling, reducing the risk of contamination of the product entering the container.

In one embodiment, the method is characterized in that the preforms are cleaned with a liquid or a gaseous medium.

It is advantageous if the preforms are cleaned prior to entry into the mold filling machine. This embodiment allows, for example, an inspection after cleaning, so that improperly cleaned preforms can optionally be sorted out.

Alternatively, the preforms may be cleaned within the mold filling machine. Thus, the time between cleaning and subsequent mold filling can be reduced, which in principle reduces the risk of contamination.

In a further development of this embodiment, it is provided that the preforms are sealed airtight during cleaning and shaping. Closing further reduces the risk of contamination.

It is also advantageous if the preforms are filled while they are hermetically sealed. Bottling of the product can be done in a controlled atmosphere.

It can also be provided that the medium used for molding is the product to be filled into the container. The reduced time between cleaning and filling during molding can further reduce the risk of unwanted contamination.

ID 24 mold filling machine

The invention relates to a mold filling machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method wherein a heated preform stretched by means of a stretch rod and then by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, hydraulically expanded to a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

By definition, a mold-filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

In the known mold filling machines, during the molding and / or filling with product, the container which has already completely or not yet completely formed may burst. Previous measures to remove the remains of the burst container are tedious and therefore lead to significant downtime of the mold filling machine.

task

Object of the present invention is to develop known devices and methods for molding and filling plastic containers in an advantageous manner.

solution

This object is achieved with a mold filling machine according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The form filling machine according to the invention is characterized in that the mold halves are movable relative to each other and a cleaning device is provided which can clean the opened mold halves. Thus, contaminants of the mold halves, in particular after the bursting of a product-filled container can be removed.

In one embodiment of the mold filling machine according to the invention it can be provided that the mold halves are formed in three parts, wherein each mold half comprises a mold carrier, a mold shell and a mold and the parts of the mold halves are movable relative to each other. Thus, the mold halves can not only be cleaned externally, but also the interstices, in which any hydraulic devices can be arranged, can be freed from contamination.

In an alternative embodiment it can be provided that the mold halves are formed in two parts and comprise a mold carrier and a mold. This, in contrast to the previous embodiment reduced and more compact structure facilitates the cleaning of the mold halves.

In an advantageous development of this embodiment it is provided that between the parts of the mold halves, a drive unit is arranged, which can move the parts of each mold half relative to each other.

It may be provided that the drive unit is or comprises a hydraulic unit. Hydraulic means for moving the parts of the mold halves can be made less sensitive to liquids than, for example, electronic elements such as electric motors or actuators.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of this embodiment, it is provided that the drive unit can also move the mold halves. Thus, not only the individual components of the mold halves can be moved relative to each other, but also the mold halves are moved so far away from each other that an effective cleaning can be achieved.

It may further be provided that the parts of the mold halves are each arranged on a common guide. Thus, the number of necessary drive elements can be greatly reduced and the movement of the individual parts of the mold halves can be safely controlled.

In a preferred embodiment of the mold filling machine according to the invention, provision is made for the mold halves to be movable between a molding position, a receiving position and a cleaning position. In this case, the molding position is the position in which the mold halves are closed and a container can be formed within the mold halves. The receiving position corresponds to an open position of the mold halves, wherein the distance of the mold halves from one another or the opening angle is such that a preform can be received in the inner region of the mold halves. The cleaning position is a position in which the mold halves and / or the parts of the mold halves can be cleaned. For this purpose, it can also be provided that the mold halves and / or the parts of the mold halves in the cleaning position a larger opening angle or distance from each other, as in the receiving position.

In another embodiment, either a liquid cleaning medium or a gaseous cleaning medium is used. While the use of a gaseous cleaning medium allows for rapid reuse of the mold halves since a drying step may be eliminated, cleaning with liquid cleaning media may allow for thorough cleaning so that any contaminants such as container bursting can be removed.

In one embodiment, the cleaning device is arranged on the periphery of the mold filling machine. This embodiment allows the cleaning of individual mold halves, for example after a detected contamination by spraying product. Since the cleaning device is not arranged in the mold filling machine, space can be saved here.

In an alternative embodiment, each mold filling station is assigned a cleaning device. The cleaning of the mold halves of a mold filling station can take place here independently of the other mold filling stations. Furthermore, by the entrained in the mold filling station cleaning a cleaning during operation of the mold filling machine is possible, for example in the time interval between the dispensing of a container from the mold filling station and the inclusion of a new preform.

ID 25 Valve block for a treatment station of a mold filling machine and mold filling machine with such a valve block

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a mold filling machine for producing and filling plastic containers, in particular plastic bottles, in which a gas is used to at least partially form a plastic container, and in particular the invention relates to a valve block for a treatment station of such a mold filling machine.

State of the art

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drained from the container.

The conventional stretch blow molding process according to the prior art is divided into two phases, the so-called pre-blowing in which the preform is stretched and formed under compressed air supply under a first Vorblasdruck into a bubble and the so-called finished blowing, in which the pre-blown bottle under a higher compressed air level fully formed becomes. In particular during the pre-blowing phase, the wall thickness distribution of the container to be formed is decisively influenced. On the other hand, in the form filling machines described above, which press the container by means of fluid, the influence on the wall thickness is difficult to control.

Object of the present invention is to develop known devices for molding and filling of plastic containers, in particular devices in which the plastic containers are only partially made by blow molding, in an advantageous manner.

Description of the invention

The above object is achieved by a valve block for a treatment station of a mold filling machine according to claim 1 or 6. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

According to the invention, therefore, it is proposed to carry out the pre-blowing phase and the finish blowing phase with different media, for example gas under overpressure for the pre-blowing phase and a hydraulic medium for the finished blowing phase. For this purpose, a valve block for a treatment station of a mold filling machine is provided. The valve block includes a nozzle channel and a first chamber and a second chamber in fluid communication with the nozzle channel, wherein the first chamber is separated from the nozzle channel by a first shut-off valve and the second chamber is separated from the nozzle channel by a second shut-off valve. The shut-off valves can be used in walls of the Chambers or be arranged in a connecting channel from the respective chamber to the nozzle channel. Furthermore, the valve block comprises a first blowgas duct in fluid communication with the first chamber and possibly a second blowgas duct in fluid communication with the first chamber, the first blowgas duct having a first blowgas channel valve and the possibly provided second blowgas duct having a second blowgas channel valve. Further, the valve block includes a product channel or product delivery port in fluid communication with the second chamber. In particular, the valve block also includes a product channel valve, which between product channel and second chamber.

The second chamber serves to provide the product. In it, a piston may be present, which can push the product through the second shut-off valve. Alternatively, the piston may also be arranged outside the valve block in a separate chamber and from there press the medium into the second chamber and through the shut-off valve. It would also be conceivable to dispense with the piston and to lead, for example, the product to the second shut-off valve via gravity.

There is also provided a valve block for a treatment station of a mold filling machine, the valve block comprising: a nozzle channel, a first blow channel in fluid communication with the nozzle channel, and possibly a second blow channel in fluid communication with the nozzle channel, the first blow channel having a first blowgas channel valve and possibly a second blowgas channel valve, a chamber in fluid communication with the nozzle channel, the chamber separated from the nozzle channel by a shut-off valve, and possibly a product channel (may also be outsourced) in fluid communication with the chamber and possibly with a product channel valve the first and possibly provided second blow valve are arranged above the shut-off valve. In particular, therefore, the first and second blowgas ducts end above the shut-off valve in the nozzle channel and at least a part of them is separated from the latter by the respective blow-off gas valves. The blowgas ducts can be arranged completely above the shut-off valve. In particular, the blowgas ducts can be arranged completely above the chamber.

The second chamber also serves to provide the product. In it, a piston may be present, which can push the product through the second shut-off valve. Alternatively, the piston may also be arranged outside the valve block in a separate chamber and from there press the medium into the second chamber and through the shut-off valve. It would also be conceivable to dispense with the piston and to lead, for example, the product to the second shut-off valve via gravity.

The fluid connections thus take place via respective valves. The provided valve blocks may in particular have a blowgas channel for pre-blowing and a blowgas channel for intermediate or final blowing.

By definition, a mold filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold cavity and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers. The plastic containers are at least partially produced by the expanding forming. Completion of partially produced by forming plastic containers can be done by the product to be filled or another liquid medium.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

The terms "above" and "below" are used here in the usual sense, d. that is, an object positioned "above" is further away in an external gravitational field from the center of gravity than an object positioned "below". In particular, an above-positioned element of a valve block of a treatment station of a mold filling machine is further away from an opening of a plastic container to be produced or filled than a member positioned below.

According to the invention, the blast air ducts are controlled by other (blast gas) valves than the product channel. In particular, can be used for controlling the Blasluftkanäle or a chamber into which the Blasluftkanäle, use valves, as they are also used for conventional blow molding machines. Thus, these valves need not be designed to withstand a liquid product medium. On the other hand, the shut-off valve used to regulate the product flow into the nozzle channel must be designed to regulate the liquid product. Elaborate valve designs for controlling both gaseous and liquid media are thus not necessary, whereby the construction of the valve block is more reliable and can be provided at a lower cost than is known in the art.

The product channel ends in a chamber, from which the product can enter the nozzle channel for filling a finished plastic container or for completing a prefabricated by blow molding using a blown plastic container. Likewise, another liquid medium, which is different from the product to be filled, pass through the product channel or another channel into the chamber and from there via the nozzle channel for completing a prefabricated by blow molding using a blown plastic container. In either case, a movable plunger may be provided to generate pressure which upon movement into the chamber forces the product or other liquid medium from the chamber into the nozzle channel. Thus, the product or other liquid medium can be conveyed reliably into the nozzle channel.

The product passageway terminating in the chamber and provided with a valve may extend above the chamber. The blowgas ducts can be arranged laterally from the, for example, substantially vertically extending nozzle channel. If they in turn terminate in a chamber, this chamber can also be arranged laterally of the nozzle channel, for example, extending essentially vertically.

The valve block of any of the above examples may include a cleaning-in-place, CIP, channel in fluid communication with the nozzle channel and with a CIP channel valve. Thus, a CIP cleaning is provided through which a sterilization can take place, in which disassembly of elements of the treatment station or the valve block can be substantially avoided. According to a further development, the valve block additionally has a nozzle opening, into which the nozzle channel ends, and an, for example, foldable or displaceable CIP flap, which is movable for closing and opening the nozzle opening.

Furthermore, there is provided a mold-filling machine having a treatment station with a valve block according to the above-mentioned examples and with a CIP-channel, the mold-filling machine having a rotary distributor, via which a product line into the product channel, a branching blow-gas line into the first and second blow-gas channels (if provided ) and a CIP line directly into the CIP channel. Such a mold filling machine may alternatively have a rotary distributor, via which a product line in the product channel and a branching blown gas line in the first and second blown gas duct (if provided) and in the CIP channel are operated. The rotary distributor serves in each case for the distribution of a medium in the lines. The medium may for example be supplied in the form of a blowing gas from a compressor or pressure reducer or in the form of a product from a product tank or carbonator.

The mold filling machine may be a rotary machine (rotary machine) having a rotatable transport wheel (carousel) to which is attached a plurality of treatment stations each having a valve block according to one of the examples described above. According to a development, the mold filling machine with a valve block according to one of the examples described above comprises ring lines for distributing blowing gas to be supplied to the blown air ducts and a product to be supplied to the product duct.

The product channel can be used for cleaning. In this case, the mold filling machine may include a CIP detergent tank connected to the product channel for performing CIP cleaning.

The above-mentioned mold filling machines may be designed to produce plastic containers such that they receive between 20% and 95%, for example between 30% and 90% of their later volume, by partial blow molding. In particular, the containers may receive between 30% and 100%, preferably between 50% and 100%, of their longitudinal extent (from mouth to bottom) during partial blow molding. In particular, in the partial pre-blowing of the container, a stretching rod is introduced into it, which causes a longitudinal extension of the preform.

According to a particular embodiment, a multiplicity of treatment stations or shaping and filling stations are provided, which are arranged in particular on the outer circumference of a continuously rotating rotary traveler. The rotary machine is preferably a wheel. The rotary machine rotates in particular about a vertical axis whose extension intersects the center of the earth.

In particular, the treatment stations are all arranged at equidistant intervals from one another. In particular, the treatment stations have cavities within which the containers are expanded against the inner walls of the cavity so that the finished molded containers receive the (negative) shape of the inner walls of the cavity.

In all the examples described above, the mold filling machine may include a closure device designed to close the filled plastic containers, for example by means of screw caps. In particular, the closure takes place in a period within which the container is still in the form or Cavity in which it was formed, is arranged. The closure device is for this purpose in the immediate vicinity of the rotary traveler, in particular in its periphery and donates the closure at a time at which all the end product is already in the container and a blowing or filling nozzle was lifted from the container.

• – Die kontaminationsarme Umgebung der Vorrichtung (innerhalb eines Maschinenschutzes) wird unter einen Überdruck im Vergleich zur Umgebungsatmosphäre gesetzt, indem durch Feinfilter filtrierte Luft zumindest während der Produktion in den Raum eingeblasen wird
• – Die Antriebe für verschiedenste Bewegungen der Kavität sind außerhalb des Reinraums angeordnet, so beispielsweise die Antriebe für das Öffnen und Schließen der Kavität (Form) und/oder die für das Bewegen einer Reckstange und/oder die für ein Anheben oder Senken eines Behälters und/oder die die Bewegung einer Blas- oder Fülldüse.
• – Die innere Wandung des Raums wird in regelmäßigen Abständen gereinigt und/oder sterilisiert, beispielsweise über ein Bespritzen oder Bedampfen mit Lauge, Säure, Entkeimungsflüssigkeit, Wasserstoffperoxid (gasförmig oder flüssig). Insbesondere werden bei der Reinigung und/oder Sterilisation die Innen- und Außenseiten der Kavitäten, Blas- oder Fülldüsen und der Reckstangen miteinbezogen. Insbesondere werden aber auch die inneren Wandungen des Maschinenschutzes einbezogen.
• – Die kontaminationsarme Umgebung wird gegen die Umgebungsatmosphäre abgedichtet. Bei einem Rundläufer kann es sich bei der Dichtung um ein Wasserschloss oder eine Gummidichtung handeln, welche(s) den drehenden Teil zum stehenden Teil der Vorrichtung abdichtet.

In particular, the production or expansion and the filling of the containers take place within a space with low-contamination environment. The low-contamination environment, which is particularly a clean room, can be made by one or combinations of the following measures:

• - The low-contamination environment of the device (within a machine protection) is placed under an overpressure compared to the ambient atmosphere by air filtered through the fine filter at least during production is blown into the room
• - The drives for various movements of the cavity are arranged outside the clean room, such as the drives for opening and closing the cavity (shape) and / or for moving a stretch rod and / or for raising or lowering a container and / or or the movement of a blowing or filling nozzle.
• The inner wall of the room is cleaned and / or sterilized at regular intervals, for example by spraying or steaming with caustic, acid, degerming liquid, hydrogen peroxide (gaseous or liquid). In particular, during cleaning and / or sterilization, the inner and outer sides of the cavities, blowing or filling nozzles and the stretching rods are included. In particular, however, the inner walls of the machine protection are included.
• - The low-contamination environment is sealed against the ambient atmosphere. In a rotary machine, the seal may be a water lock or a rubber seal which seals the rotating part to the stationary part of the device.

In particular, the containers or preforms are sterilized prior to introduction into the low-contamination environment.

The space is in particular substantially disc-shaped. It can also be annular or torus-shaped - the axis of rotation is then outside of the low-contamination environment.

In particular, the container is expanded on one and the same carousel (rotary machine) and filled with the final product to be packaged.

In particular, the containers prior to expansion are plastic preforms which preferably have the shape of a test tube or have a single opening. In the vicinity of this opening is a mouth region, which has been provided for example with an already molded by injection threads for a closure. In addition, a support ring may be provided in the mouth region, which is provided for transport or further handling of the preform / container.

In the transport direction of the containers upstream of the mold filling machine, a heating device can be provided, which heats the preforms supplied cold. As heating means, an infrared oven can be used, through which the preforms are transported. In particular, infrared radiators are arranged on at least one side of a tunnel-shaped heating path through the furnace. Instead of the infrared oven, it is also possible to provide a microwave heating device in which individually allocated cavities are arranged for heating, in particular for each preform. While the microwave oven is preferably a rotary machine, the preforms in the infrared oven are transported in a straight line at least part of the distance.

Instead of the just described methods and devices for heating cold (ambient temperature) preforms, the preforms can also be generated directly from an upstream injection molding device and further transported in the still warmed up state to the forming and filling device. Energetically, this offers the advantage that part of the heat is not lost to the environment. Under certain circumstances, however, a Zwischenkonditioniereinrichtung must be provided, which only slightly tempered the preforms (less than plus or minus 50 ° C) or applying a temperature profile, shortly before they are passed to the mold filling machine. If the preforms are injection-molded within a clean room, then no further sterilization of these may be necessary if the clean room extends to a position at which a closure is applied to the container after filling.

Embodiments of a mold filling machine according to the invention or a valve block according to the invention for a mold filling machine will be described below with reference to the drawing. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive, and various combinations of the recited features are included in the invention.

3 illustrates an example of a mold filling machine according to the invention with a valve block with shut-off valves that can shut off and open chambers from which a blown gas or a product can get into a nozzle channel of the valve block on the shut-off valves.

4 shows a further example of a mold filling machine according to the invention with a valve block with shut-off valves that can shut off and open chambers from which a blown gas or a product can get into a nozzle channel of the valve block on the shut-off valves.

5 shows an example of a mold filling machine according to the invention with a valve block with Blasgaskanälen, which are arranged above a shut-off valve of a chamber into which a product channel ends.

6 shows an example of a mold filling machine according to the invention with a valve block with shut-off valves, in which a product is passed by gravity into a nozzle channel.

7 shows another example of a mold filling machine according to the invention with a valve block with shut-off valves, in which a product is passed by gravity into a nozzle channel, wherein the blower ducts are arranged above a shut-off valve of a product channel.

ID 26 Mold filling machine for producing and filling plastic containers with CO ₂ recycling

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a mold filling machine for producing and filling plastic containers, in particular plastic bottles, in which CO ₂ , which is used to at least partially form a plastic container, is reused.

State of the art

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

Object of the present invention is to develop known devices for molding and filling of plastic containers, in particular those devices in which the plastic containers are at least partially made by blowing with the help of CO ₂ , in an advantageous manner.

Description of the invention

The above object is achieved by a mold filling machine according to claim 1 or 2. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

A mold filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers. The plastic containers are at least partially produced by the expanding forming. Completion of partially produced by forming plastic containers can be done by the product to be filled or another liquid medium.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

A mold filling machine according to the invention comprises a treatment station which is adapted to blow-mold plastic containers by means of CO ₂ and to fill the plastic containers produced with a product and to recycle the CO ₂ used for blow molding. Thus, a mold filling machine according to the invention comprises means for blow molding the plastic containers by means of CO ₂ , means for filling the produced plastic containers with a product and means for recycling the CO ₂ used for blow molding.

Another form filling machine according to the invention comprises a treatment station which is adapted to partly blow mold the plastic containers by means of CO ₂ and to fill and finish the partially manufactured plastic containers with a product and to recycle the CO ₂ used for partial blow molding. Thus, a mold filling machine according to the invention comprises means for partially blow molding the plastic containers by means of CO ₂ adapted to produce partially manufactured plastic containers, means for filling and finishing the partially manufactured plastic containers with the product and means for recycling the CO ₂ used for blow molding , Partial blow molding here means blow molding to obtain a partially manufactured plastic container. In particular, the container receives between 20% and 95%, preferably between 30% and 90% of its later volume by the partial blow molding. In particular, the container is maintained between 30% and 100%, preferably between 50% and 100% of its longitudinal extent (from mouth to bottom) during partial blow molding. In particular, in the partial pre-blowing of the container, a stretching rod is introduced into it, which causes a longitudinal extension of the preform.

According to these alternatives, the mold filling machine can thus be designed to completely form the plastic containers from the preforms by blow molding or to form them only partially by blow molding. In the latter case, the final production (completion of the partially blown plastic container) is accomplished by, for example, introducing the liquid product to be packaged in the plastic container through the means for filling and finishing the partially manufactured plastic containers. However, the completion of the partially produced by blow molding plastic container can also be done by another liquid medium, which is different from the product to be filled.

Thus, there is also provided a mold filling machine having a treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and filling the plastic containers with a product, wherein the treatment station is adapted to partially blow-mold plastic containers by means of CO ₂ , partially introducing the partially manufactured plastic containers To finish a liquid medium (finished), to fill the finished plastic container with a product and to recycle the used for blow molding CO ₂ .

Thus, the mold filling machine comprises means for partially blowing the plastic containers by means of CO ₂ , which is adapted to produce partially manufactured plastic containers; means for finishing the partially fabricated plastic containers by introducing a liquid medium into the partially manufactured plastic containers; means for filling the finished plastic containers with the product; and means for recycling the CO ₂ used for blow molding.

By recycling the CO ₂ used for blow molding, resources are spared. In particular, the recycled CO _{2 may be used} to carbonize the product filled in the finished plastic container and / or to blow out the plastic container filled with the product. In particular, the recycled in the production of a first plastic container CO ₂ for pre-blowing a subsequent second plastic container and subsequently used to carbonize the filled in the first and / or second plastic container product. The recycled CO ₂ may be supplied to a device for carbonizing the product filled in the manufactured or finished plastic container by means of the recycled CO ₂ disposed outside the machine room mold filling machine. Alternatively, the mold filling machine may comprise a means for carbonizing. For example, the recycled CO _{2 can be introduced} into the product channel or tank through which the product to be filled is fed to the means for filling or filling and finishing the partially manufactured plastic containers. The recycled CO ₂ may be supplied to a multi-stage compressor configured to compress the CO ₂ used for blow molding. Cables inside the compressor and from the compressor to the (partial) blow molding device can be heated to prevent liquefaction of the pressurized CO2.

In particular, a plurality of treatment stations or forming and filling stations is provided, which are arranged in particular on the outer circumference of a continuously rotating rotary. The rotary machine is preferably a wheel.

The rotator rotates in particular about a vertical axis whose extension cuts the center of the earth.

In particular, the stations are all arranged at equidistant intervals from each other. In particular, the stations have cavities within which the containers are expanded against the inner walls of the cavity so that the finished containers receive the (negative) shape of the inner walls of the cavity.

An introduction of CO ₂ and the product from a stationary part of the machine (eg rack) into the rotating part of the machine or to the treatment station and a discharge of CO ₂ after the blow molding from the treatment station can be done using a rotary distributor. The rotary distributor is arranged in particular in the region of the center of the axis of the rotary traveler.

The device for (partial) blow molding can be designed in particular for stretch blow molding of preforms. A Vorblasvorgang here can be done at a pressure of between 3 and 20 bar, a Fertigblasvorgang by blow molding at a pressure of between 8 and 40 bar. The blow-molding completes the blow molding process. It may be the complete or partial finishing of the plastic container by the Fertigblasvorgang. The finished blow molding takes place in particular at higher pressure in the container than the pre-blowing.

According to one embodiment, the mold filling machine comprises a rotatable transport wheel (carousel), to which a plurality of treatment stations is mounted with their molds. In each of the plurality of treatment stations / molds, a plastic container can be manufactured and filled.

Further, the mold filling machine may include or be operatively connected to a purging means, wherein the purging means is adapted for purging a preform or the finished plastic container, and means are provided for supplying a part of the CO ₂ used for carbonizing to the purging means.

The filling process can be carried out at a controlled negative pressure, wherein means for generating the negative pressure can be adapted to generate a negative pressure in the mold in which is formed from the preform of the plastic container. By this is meant that a vacuum may be present during molding between a mold wall and the outer surface of the preform or container. Similarly, means may be provided for generating a vacuum in the partially completed or finished container. In this way, the container can be filled very quickly, especially with the final product.

By end product is meant a liquid which remains in the container until a consumer opens the container.

In all the examples described above, the mold filling machine may include a closure device designed to close the filled plastic containers, for example by means of screw caps. In particular, the closure takes place in a period of time within which the container is still arranged in the mold or cavity in which it was formed. The closure device is for this purpose in the immediate vicinity of the rotary traveler, in particular in its periphery and donates the closure at a time at which all the end product is already in the container and a blowing or filling nozzle was lifted from the container.

• – Die kontaminationsarme Umgebung der Vorrichtung (innerhalb eines Maschinenschutzes) wird unter einen Überdruck im Vergleich zur Umgebungsatmosphäre gesetzt, indem durch Feinfilter filtrierte Luft zumindest während der Produktion in den Raum eingeblasen wird
• – Die Antriebe für verschiedenste Bewegungen der Kavität sind außerhalb des Reinraums angeordnet, so beispielsweise die Antriebe für das Öffnen und Schließen der Kavität (Form) und/oder die für das Bewegen einer Reckstange und/oder die für ein Anheben oder senken eines Behälters und/oder die die Bewegung einer Blas- oder Fülldüse
• – Die innere Wandung des Raums wird in regelmäßigen Abständen gereinigt und/oder sterilisiert, beispielsweise über ein Bespritzen oder Bedampfen mit Lauge, Säure, Entkeimungsflüssigkeit, Wasserstoffperoxid (gasförmig oder flüssig). Insbesondere werden bei der Reinigung und/oder Sterilisation die Innen- und Außenseiten der Kavitäten, Blas- oder Fülldüsen und der Reckstangen miteinbezogen. Insbesondere werden aber auch die inneren Wandungen des Maschinenschutzes einbezogen.
• – Die kontaminationsarme Umgebung wird gegen die Umgebungsatmosphäre abgedichtet. Bei einem Rundläufer kann es sich bei der Dichtung um ein Wasserschloss oder eine Gummidichtung handeln, welche(s) den drehenden Teil zum stehenden Teil der Vorrichtung abdichtet.

In particular, the production or expansion and the filling of the containers are transported within a space with low-contamination environment. The low-contamination environment, which is particularly a clean room, can be made by one or combinations of the following measures:

• - The low-contamination environment of the device (within a machine protection) is placed under an overpressure compared to the ambient atmosphere by air filtered through the fine filter at least during production is blown into the room
• - The drives for various movements of the cavity are arranged outside the clean room, such as the drives for opening and closing the cavity (shape) and / or for moving a stretch rod and / or for raising or lowering a container and / or or the movement of a blowing or filling nozzle
• The inner wall of the room is cleaned and / or sterilized at regular intervals, for example by spraying or steaming with caustic, acid, degerming liquid, hydrogen peroxide (gaseous or liquid). In particular, during cleaning and / or sterilization, the inner and outer sides of the cavities, blowing or filling nozzles and the stretching rods are included. In particular, however, the inner walls of the machine protection are included.
• - The low-contamination environment is sealed against the ambient atmosphere. In a rotary machine, the seal may be a water lock or a rubber seal which seals the rotating part to the stationary part of the device.

In particular, the containers or preforms are sterilized prior to introduction into the low-contamination environment.

The space is in particular substantially disc-shaped. It can also be annular or torus-shaped - the axis of rotation is then outside of the low-contamination environment.

In particular, the container is expanded on one and the same carousel (rotary machine) and filled with the final product to be packaged.

In particular, the containers prior to expansion are plastic preforms which preferably have the shape of a test tube or have a single opening. In the vicinity of this opening is a mouth region, which has been provided for example with an already molded by injection threads for a closure. In addition, a support ring may be provided in the mouth region, which is provided for transport or further handling of the preform / container.

In the transport direction of the containers upstream of the mold filling machine, a heating device can be provided, which heats the preforms supplied cold. As heating means, an infrared oven can be used, through which the preforms are transported. In particular, infrared radiators are arranged on at least one side of a tunnel-shaped heating path through the furnace. Instead of the infrared oven, it is also possible to provide a microwave heating device in which individually allocated cavities are arranged for heating, in particular for each preform. While the microwave oven is preferably a rotary machine, the preforms in the infrared oven are transported in a straight line at least part of the distance.

Instead of the just described methods and devices for heating cold (ambient temperature) preforms, the preforms can also be generated directly from an upstream injection molding device and further transported in the still warmed up state to the forming and filling device. Energetically, this offers the advantage that part of the heat is not lost to the environment. U. U. however, must still be provided an intermediate conditioning, which only slightly tempered the preforms (less than plus or minus 50 ° C) or applies a temperature profile, shortly before they are passed to the mold filling machine. If the preforms are injection-molded within a clean room, then u. No further sterilization of these may be required if the clean room extends to a position at which a closure is applied to the container after filling.

In particular, the final product is a carbonated beverage.

In particular, all devices (compressor, lines, tanks, rotary distributors, mold filling stations, blowing / filling nozzle) can be heated in the areas with which the CO ₂ comes into contact.

It would also be conceivable to supply the CO _{2 of} the machine liquid and to heat it within the machine just before it is introduced into the preform so that it becomes gaseous.

In particular, the preform or container consists of more than 80% PET.

In particular, the finished molded container has a petaloid bottom.

In particular, if a non-carbonated beverage is to be bottled, instead of the CO ₂ 's, another inert gas, in particular nitrogen, can also be used for all processes and devices mentioned in this document (except for carbonization). In particular, this offers the advantage that little oxygen is present in the container.

If the CO _{2 is} discharged for recycling from the machine through the rotary distributor, in particular a separate track in the rotary distributor is provided for this purpose.

In addition to a product leading lane, a CO ₂ - leading track for the introduction of CO ₂ in the rotating part of the machine, a further track in the rotary distributor for removing CO _{2 can be} provided. In particular, the lead-out CO _{2 is introduced} between two compressor stages and / or used to carbonize the beverage and routed in lines to one or both of these devices.

The above object is also achieved by a method for manufacturing and filling a plastic container with the steps performed at a treatment station of a form filling machine: stretching a preform and introducing CO ₂ into the preform to at least partially (for example completely) produce the plastic container, at least partially discharging the CO ₂ introduced into the preform after at least partially producing the plastic container, introducing a product into the at least partially produced plastic container after discharging the CO ₂ to complete the plastic container and / or filling it with the product and reusing the discharged one CO ₂ .

The above object is also achieved by a method of manufacturing and filling a plastic container with the steps performed at a treatment station of a form filling machine: stretching a preform and introducing first pressurized CO ₂ into the preform to partially produce the plastic container from under a second pressure, which is greater than the first pressure, standing CO ₂ in the partially manufactured plastic container to completing the plastic container, at least partially discharging the CO ₂ introduced into the preform after completing the plastic container, introducing a product into the finished (finished) plastic container to fill the plastic container with the product, and reusing the discharged CO ₂ .

Finally, the completion of the plastic container can also be done using a different liquid medium from the product to be filled. Thus, there is provided a method of manufacturing and filling a plastic container with the steps performed at a treatment station of a form-filling machine: stretching a preform and introducing CO ₂ into the preform to partially produce the plastic container, discharging the CO ₂ introduced into the preform after the partial Producing the plastic container, introducing a liquid medium into the partially produced plastic container after at least partially discharging the CO ₂ to complete the plastic container, discharging the introduced into the partially prepared plastic container liquid medium after the completion of the plastic container, filling the finished plastic container with a product after discharging the liquid medium and reusing the discharged CO ₂ .

Reusing the discharged CO ₂ may include using it to carbonize the product filled in the manufactured or finished plastic container or to blow out the plastic container filled with the product. In principle, the method may comprise any steps to carry out the functions provided by the structural features of the above-described examples of the filling molding machine according to the invention. The CO ₂ can also be used to blow out the preform before it is deformed.

For supplying CO ₂ valves can be provided, which can be opened controllable. Through a valve, a CO ₂ - leading tank or annular channel can be connected under a Vorblasdruck with the container to be produced. By means of a second valve, a ring channel or tank which is under a finished blowing pressure can be connected to the container to be produced. In particular, the first valve is first opened, then closed again, and then the second valve is opened. While the second valve is still open or immediately after closing the second valve, the first valve is opened again to return some of the CO ₂ 's back to the first tank. Thereafter, the other steps of use discussed above may additionally take place.

If you need to carbonize the beverage or to blow out the container or preforms a larger amount than the only then under Vorblasdruck standing CO ₂ in the container, so you can do without the recycling in the tank under Vorblasdruck.

Embodiments of a mold filling machine according to the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive, and various combinations of the recited features are included in the invention.

ID 27 Overflow prevention in mold filling machines

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a mold filling machine for molding and filling a plastic container with a liquid in a treatment station.

State of the art

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

Object of the present invention is to develop known devices and methods for molding and filling plastic containers in an advantageous manner.

By definition, a mold-filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a hollow mold and for introducing a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

After forming and filling the containers with the product in the treatment station, a filled container must be removed from the carousel. Discontinuous systems of the prior art work with a pitch delay star. Alternatively, a classic transfer star can be used. Due to the large pitch and the associated speed occurs in comparison to a classic Füllerauslauf increasingly the problem of spillover of the product when passing or shortly after passing in the outlet star.

Description of the invention

In particular, it is an object of the invention to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art and to avoid spilling of the product.

This object is achieved by a mold filling machine according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The mold filling machine according to the invention is provided for molding and filling a plastic preform with a liquid in a treatment station and is characterized by a Schwappschutzvorrichtung, which prevents the spilling over of a liquid from the container, in particular during the transition of the container filled with the liquid from the treatment station of the mold filling machine an outlet device, in particular an outlet star, is suitable. Accordingly, the anti-slosh device is designed to avoid sloshing of the liquid in the container from the opening of the container due to changes of direction in the path of the container and resulting acceleration forces.

The antisafe device may comprise a closure device for applying a closure, in particular a prefastener, to the mouth of the container formed in the treatment station and filled with the liquid. With the closure device, a closure is applied to the mouth of the filled container after forming and filling of the container by means of the closure device, whereby a spilling out of the liquid is avoided during the transfer to the outlet device.

The closure may have at least one gas exchange opening, wherein the at least one gas exchange opening is preferably provided in the form of a slot on an edge of the closure and / or in the form of a star-shaped or cross-shaped slot in the closure, in particular in the middle of the closure. The closure is to be understood in the sense of a Vorverschlusses, which is placed on the mouth. As a hot product is blown and the liquid cools during transport in the treatment station, a smaller negative pressure is created which holds the closure on the mouth. The closure preferably has small ventilation openings or ventilation openings or ventilation slots through which a defined gas exchange during cooling is permitted, matched to the blowing temperature and the container strength, so that the container does not collapse due to the resulting negative pressure. Such a closure in the sense of a prefastener can be removed again before attaching the final closure and returned to the mold filling machine.

The closure may be formed as a cap, or the closure may comprise a foil which may be welded or adhesively bonded to the closure with the closure device, or the closure may comprise a plug which is pressed into the mouth. In the case of a film, this type of pre-closure can also be left on the mouth and the final closure cap can be placed thereon.

The Schwappschutzvorrichtung may comprise at least one pivot holder for pivotally mounting the container in the outlet star with an inclination relative to the vertical. Since the mold filling machine always runs at the same speed, the type and characteristics of the liquid surface for a given product is always almost identical. On the basis of this specific expression, an overflow star can be prevented by means of an outlet star, in which the container pivots defined with an inclination of the self-adjusting liquid surface.

This may be developed in that a control device is provided for outputting a control signal for controlling the inclination of the swivel holder along an outlet path of the outlet star and / or a camera for monitoring the inclination.

Alternatively, the inclination may be due to the centripetal and gravitational force acting on the container, or the incline may be predetermined along an outlet path of the outlet device due to mechanical guidance in the outlet spout.

Alternatively, the Schwappschutzvorrichtung may comprise a deviating from the circular path of the container outlet in the outlet device, in particular with a running from a transfer point between the treatment station and outlet device in the tangential direction portion of the outlet path. In this way, it is avoided that the centripetal force acting in the treatment station is instantaneously converted during the transfer in an opposite centripetal force in the outlet star, whereby a slosh is reduced. Particularly preferred is a gradual transition from the curvature of the circular path in the treatment station in an opposite curvature of the outlet path. In other words, the outlet path after the transfer point still partially with a direction of curvature as before the transfer.

Such a Schwappschutzvorrichtung can be realized, for example, characterized in that the Schwappschutzvorrichtung further comprises at least one rotatably mounted about a pivot holder for the container, wherein a distance of the content Erten container and the pivot point is variable, in particular by means of a variable-length connecting element. This corresponds to a multi-axis outlet star with variable radius.

Alternatively, the outlet device may comprise a plurality of individual carriages for the respective receptacle of a container, wherein the individual carriages are arranged on at least one guide rail, and wherein preferably the velocities of the individual carriages are each separately controllable. In this way, each individual carriage can travel along the predetermined path (driven individually or connected by a belt or a chain). Not only the trajectory but also the speed and acceleration can be adapted and variable. In this way, the centrifugal force acting on the liquid in the container, in particular its maximum values in the course of the outlet path, can be minimized.

The cited developments can be used individually or combined as claimed suitable.

Further features and exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. It is understood that the embodiments do not exhaust the scope of the present invention. It is further understood that some or all of the features described below may be combined with each other in other ways.

ID 28 mold filling machine and mold filling process for a plastic container

The invention relates to a mold filling machine and a mold filling method having the features of the preambles of claims 1 and 10, respectively.

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

The disadvantage here is that the quality of products can be impaired with a liquid or pasty portion and a particle-like proportion.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a mold filling machine with which a reduction in quality of such products during filling into the plastic containers is avoided.

This object is achieved in a mold filling machine with the features of the preamble of claim 1 having the features of the characterizing part, according to which the valve head for filling a product with a liquid or pasty portion and with a particulate portion, in particular fruit pieces, is formed.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The fact that the valve head both for filling the liquid or pasty and the Particulate product content is formed, can be filled with the mold filling machine and particulate product components, such as pieces of fruit, without pinching in the channels of the valve head or without pressure damage in the plastic container. Consequently, degradation of the product during bottling is avoided.

The mold filling machine can be arranged in a beverage processing plant. The apparatus may be arranged downstream of a preform storage container, a rinser, a transport device, an injection molding machine for producing the preforms and / or a furnace for heating the preforms. The device may be arranged upstream of a transport device, a capper and / or a packaging machine.

The plastic container may be intended to contain drinks, toiletries, pastes, chemical, biological and / or pharmaceutical products. The plastic container may be a plastic bottle, a can and / or a tube. The plastic container may in particular be a PET, HD-PE or PP container or bottle. The preform may be intended to be expanded by deformation in the mold in the plastic container.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

The mold filling machine may comprise a transport device for transporting plastic containers. The transport device may be a conveyor belt or carousel. The carousel may be rotatable about a vertical axis by means of a drive. "Vertical" can mean here that this is the direction that is directed to the center of the earth. The transport device may comprise container receptacles for receiving the plastic containers on the neck, on the container body and / or container bottom. A transport star may be upstream and / or downstream of the mold filling machine.

The mold filling machine may comprise at least one treatment station for expanding the preform to the plastic container in the mold cavity and for filling the product into the plastic container in the mold. The mold filling machine may comprise a plurality of treatment stations, which correspond in particular with the container receptacles of the transport device. As a result, a plurality of plastic containers can be produced and filled in parallel with the mold filling machine. Each treatment station may include a mold and a valve head. The treatment stations may be connected to a rotary distributor for distribution of the molding fluid, the product, a gas, an underpressure and / or overpressure. The treatment stations may be designed such that the preforms are introduced into the mold, stretched with the stretching rod, formed with a molding fluid to the plastic container, the mold fluid is sucked off again and the product is filled into the plastic container. The molding fluid may be water or a suitable incompressible fluid for container reshaping. It is also conceivable that the treatment stations are designed such that the preform is introduced into the mold, stretched with the stretching rod and formed by means of the product or with the liquid or pasty portion to the plastic container.

The valve head may be designed to correspond with the mouth of the preform or of the plastic container during molding and / or during filling of the product. Further, a moving unit may be provided to close the mold with the valve head in the mouth area after the introduction of the preform. Further, the valve head may include valves, conduits, nozzles, switches, and the like, to include the molding fluid, a gas, the product, the liquid or pasty product portion, the particulate product portion, and / or other product portions in the preform and / or the plastic container perform. In addition, the valve head may be designed to suck off the molding fluid and / or the gas. In particular, the valve head can be provided to introduce an underpressure and / or overpressure into the preform or the plastic container. Further, the valve head may include or be connected to a compressor to apply pressure to the mold fluid and / or the gas. The compressor may for example comprise a cylinder with a piston or a pump. In addition, the valve head may be connected to a vacuum pump. The valves may be arranged to regulate, release, and / or lock the flow of the molding fluid, the product, and / or the gas.

The stretch rod may be intended to stretch the preform in a heated state in the mold. The filling member may be at least partially integrated in the stretching rod. The stretch rod may be movable with a longitudinal adjustment or via a cam control along the longitudinal axis of the preform.

The fact that the valve head is designed to fill a product with a liquid or pasty portion and with a particle-like proportion may here mean that the channels for the product or at least a portion thereof are designed in such a way that that the particulate fraction is not crushed during filling.

The liquid or pasty product portion may comprise a liquid food such as juice, beer, wine, milk, tea, coffee or the like. Likewise, the liquid or pasty portion may comprise a hygiene article such as perfume, liquid soap, shampoo, shower gel or the like. The particulate product portion may include fruit pieces, grains (for example, seeds in a cereal), jelly pieces, and / or fruit pieces in a jam. In the case of a hygiene article, the particulate fraction may comprise soap particles which have a different color to the optical product enhancement than the liquid or pasty portion.

The filling member may be formed such that by filling the liquid or pasty product portion, an internal pressure on the preform or stretched with the stretch rod preform can be applied such that the plastic container is moldable in the mold. Thereby, the liquid or pasty product portion can be used as a molding fluid for molding the plastic container. Consequently, the molding fluid after molding no longer needs to be sucked out of the plastic container.

The filling member may be formed such that the particulate product portion after the molding of the plastic container is fillable therein. As a result, the particle-like product content during filling is not subjected to an overpressure and thus treated very gently. It is conceivable here that initially the preform or stretched with the stretch rod preform is formed by means of the liquid or pasty product portion in the mold to the plastic container and then the particulate product content is filled.

The mold filling machine may comprise a shut-off device for selectively passing or blocking at least one of the product components, wherein the shut-off device is arranged in particular in the filling member and / or in a product feed line of the filling member. This makes it possible to fill the particle-like product portion separated in time from the liquid or pasty product portion in the plastic container. Likewise, it is possible by the shut-off device to fill the liquid or pasty product portion separated in time from a mixture of the two product components. For example, the shut-off device may comprise a retaining grid or sieve with which the particulate product components in the filling member and / or in the product supply line can be retained. Likewise, the shut-off device may comprise a valve for releasing or blocking the liquid or pasty product portion and / or a further valve for releasing or blocking the particulate product portion.

At least one channel for filling at least one product portion or the product may be formed in the stretch rod. As a result, the stretching rod can be used particularly efficiently both for stretching the preform and for filling the at least one product portion or the product. Furthermore, the stretch rod can be made adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the plastic container in order to stretch the preform and / or to adapt to the changing liquid level during filling of the product.

The filling member may comprise a plurality of separate channels for different product portions, in particular a first channel for the liquid or pasty product portion and a second channel for the particulate product portion. As a result, the product components can be kept separate from each other until they are delivered to the plastic container. Consequently, a particularly accurate dosage of the individual shares is possible.

At least one of the separate channels may be formed in the stretch rod. As a result, the stretch rod can be used particularly efficiently as a filling member and the corresponding product content can be delivered to the desired height in the plastic container. At least one outlet opening for dispensing the product components into the plastic container can be formed on the stretching rod for each of the separate channels. It is also conceivable that several of the separate channels open into an outlet opening on the stretch rod.

The separate channels may be formed concentrically about a common axis and each have different diameters. As a result, the filling element is particularly simple. For example, the liquid or pasty product portions can thereby be guided through a central tube and the particle-like product portions through an annular channel surrounding the central tube. A reverse use of the channels for the respective shares is also conceivable.

At least one of the separate channels may be designed for the particulate product portion, in particular with a diameter in a range of 5 mm to 20 mm, more particularly in a range of 8-12 mm. Preferably, the diameter may be greater than the maximum size of the particles of the particulate product portion. As a result, a deterioration in the quality of the particulate product portion is avoided by jamming in the channel.

In addition, the invention provides claim 10 a mold filling method for plastic containers, wherein a preform is stretched with a stretching rod of a valve head in a mold and filled with a filling member of the valve head in the mold and thereby formed into a plastic container, characterized in that with the filling member a liquid or pasty product portion and a particulate product portion, in particular fruit pieces, are bottled.

Characterized in that both the liquid or pasty product portion and the particulate product content are filled with the filling member, the particulate product components are treated particularly gently. The design of the valve head prevents pinching and pressurization of the particulate product portion, for example, on fruit pieces and consequent quality degradation of the product.

In the case of the mold-filling method, the liquid or pasty product portion and the particle-like product portion can each be filled through separate channels of the filling member, wherein at least one of the channels is formed in the stretching rod. As a result, the particulate product content can be supplied to the plastic container in a particularly gentle and precisely metered manner. In addition, it is also possible to design the separate channels so that the respective product content is filled very gently at the same time quickly.

The liquid or pasty product portion and the particulate product portion can be filled by means of a shut-off device at least temporarily successively in the plastic container. As a result, the product components can be supplied to the plastic container independently.

The preform or the stretched preform can be formed with the liquid or pasty product portion to the plastic container and then the particulate product content can be filled into the plastic container. As a result, the particle-like product content is not burdened by the pressure during molding of the plastic container. Consequently, so sensitive product components, such as fruit pieces, not burdened by an external pressure and thereby reduced in quality.

Moreover, the mold filling method according to any one of claims 10-13 can be performed with a mold filling machine according to any one of claims 1-9. Further, the mold filling method may include the features previously described with respect to the mold filling machine, individually or in any combination.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. Showing:

ID 29 mold filling machine for a plastic container

The invention relates to a mold filling machine with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

The disadvantage here is that occasionally different amounts of product are filled into the container. This is where the invention starts.

The object of the present invention is to provide a mold filling machine with which a product quantity which is as constant as possible can be filled into the containers.

This object is achieved with a mold filling machine having the features of the preamble of claim 1 with the features of the characterizing part, according to which the mold filling machine has a measuring device for determining the amount of product filled into the plastic container.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

Characterized in that the form filling machine has the measuring device, the filled product quantity can be determined exactly and about the filling member can be controlled so that the desired target amount is filled into the container. Consequently, always the same amount of product is filled.

The mold filling machine can be arranged in a beverage processing plant. The apparatus may be arranged downstream of a preform storage container, a rinser, a transport device, an injection molding machine for producing the preforms and / or a furnace for heating the preforms. The device may be arranged upstream of a transport device, a capper and / or a packaging machine.

The plastic container may be intended to contain drinks, toiletries, pastes, chemical, biological and / or pharmaceutical products. The plastic container may be a plastic bottle, a can and / or a tube. The plastic container may in particular be a PET, HD-PE or PP container or bottle. The preform may be intended to be expanded by deformation in the mold in the plastic container.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

The mold filling machine may comprise a transport device for transporting plastic containers. The transport device may be a conveyor belt or carousel. The carousel may be rotatable about a vertical axis by means of a drive. "Vertical" can mean here that this is the direction that is directed to the center of the earth. The transport device may comprise container receptacles for receiving the plastic containers on the neck, on the container body and / or container bottom. A transport star may be upstream and / or downstream of the mold filling machine.

The mold filling machine may comprise at least one treatment station for expanding the preform to the plastic container in the mold cavity and for filling the product into the plastic container in the mold. The mold filling machine may comprise a plurality of treatment stations, which correspond in particular with the container receptacles of the transport device. As a result, a plurality of plastic containers can be produced and filled in parallel with the mold filling machine. Each treatment station may include a mold and a valve head. The treatment stations may be connected to a rotary distributor for distribution of the molding fluid, the product, a gas, an underpressure and / or overpressure. The treatment stations may be designed such that the preforms are introduced into the mold, stretched with the stretching rod, formed with a molding fluid to the plastic container, the mold fluid is sucked off again and the product is filled. The molding fluid may be water or a suitable incompressible fluid for container reshaping. It is also conceivable that the treatment stations are designed such that the preform is introduced into the mold, stretched with the stretching rod and formed by means of the product to the plastic container.

The valve head may be designed to correspond with the mouth of the preform or of the plastic container during molding and / or during filling of the product. Furthermore, a moving unit may be provided to close the mold with the valve head after introduction of the preform. Further, the valve head may include valves, conduits, nozzles, switches, and the like to insert or export the molding fluid, a gas, and / or the product into the preform and / or the plastic container. In addition, the valve head may be designed to suck off the molding fluid and / or the gas. In particular, the valve head can be provided to introduce an underpressure and / or overpressure into the preform or the plastic container. Further, the valve head may include or be connected to a compressor to apply pressure to the mold fluid and / or the gas. The compressor may for example comprise a cylinder with a piston or a pump. In addition, the valve head may be connected to a vacuum pump. The valves may be arranged to regulate, release, and / or lock the flow of the molding fluid, the product, and / or the gas.

The stretch rod may be intended to stretch the preform in a heated state in the mold. The filling member may be at least partially integrated in the stretching rod. The stretch rod may be movable with a longitudinal adjustment or via a cam control along the longitudinal axis of the preform.

Measuring device can mean here that the actually filled product quantity is measured by a measuring instrument. The measuring device can be designed such that it emits a signal that corresponds to the currently filled product quantity. Additionally or alternatively, the measuring device may be configured to emit a signal at a desired level. The signal may be an electrical signal, such as a digital signal on a data bus or an analog voltage value proportional to the amount of product dispensed.

The measuring device may be connected to a machine control, which detects the signal from the measuring device and controls the filling member. The machine controller may include a control circuit configured to control the filling member based on the signal from the measuring device.

The measuring device may be integrated in the mold, a product feed line, the valve head, the stretching rod and / or the filling member. The filled product quantity may be a volume, a mass and / or a weight of the product filled in the container. The volume and the mass can be converted into each other by means known per se via the density of the product. Likewise, mass and weight can be interconverted by gravitational acceleration of typically 9.81 N / kg.

The measuring device may comprise a position detection device for determining the stretching rod longitudinal position relative to the plastic container. As a result, the liquid level in the container can be determined particularly simply and accurately. The position detection device may be an optical or magnetic encoder, with which the stretching rod longitudinal position can be continuously detected within a movement range. Likewise, the position detection device can be designed to detect a single or a plurality of discrete longitudinal positions of the stretch rod. For example, the position detecting device may be a reed contact or a Hall element for detecting a magnet on the stretch rod.

The stretch rod may be formed with a return gas pipe. This makes it particularly easy to detect the liquid level with the stretch rod. The return gas pipe is usually used to escape the displaced during filling of the container gas volume. If the liquid level now hits the return gas pipe, gas can no longer escape and the filling process stops. This makes it possible to determine the liquid level of the filled container via the measurement and adjustment of the stretching rod longitudinal position.

The measuring device may comprise a trained on the stretch rod probe for detecting the level height in the plastic container. The fact that the probe detects the liquid level in the container directly, this can be determined very accurately. In addition, it is possible with a plurality of probes formed along the stretching rod to detect the filling process of the plastic container. As a result, the filling element can be regulated even more accurately. The probe may for example be a conductivity sensor. Since the gas above the liquid level in the container usually has a lower conductivity than the product, it can be detected during filling, at which time the liquid level passes over the probe.

The measuring device may comprise a weighing cell. As a result, the weight of the product enclosed in the plastic container product can be detected very accurately. The load cell may include a load cell and optionally spring elements.

The weighing cell can be designed to determine the weight of the hollow mold and / or the plastic container and the product filled therein. Because the weight of the hollow mold and the plastic container is usually known a priori, this can be subtracted from the measured weight. Consequently, the mold with the plastic container serves as a weighing chamber for the filled product. As a result, the device does not require a separate pre-chamber for weighing the product and can therefore be made simpler. The load cell can be integrated in the mold. It is also conceivable that a support element of the load cell acts on the container for weighing, wherein in particular the hollow mold releases the container.

The load cell can be designed as strain gauges or as a piezoelectric force transducer. As a result, the load cell is particularly cost-effective.

The measuring device may comprise a product flow meter in the valve head or in a product inlet to the valve head. As a result, the filled product quantity can be determined before it leaves the filling element and is thus independent of sloshing or fluid movement in the container. The product flow meter may include a product channel and an impeller rotatably disposed therein. With a donor, caused by the product flow rotational movement of the impeller can be detected and closed on the bottled product quantity.

The measuring device may comprise a device for detecting a pre-dosage amount in a metering chamber. As a result, the amount of product to be filled can be detected even more accurately in advance and is, for example, independent of the thermal processes in the plastic container. The metering chamber may comprise a metering cylinder with a metering piston (similar to a syringe) arranged movably therein. It is also conceivable that the weight of a metering chamber with the amount of predosedosa contained therein is detected via a weighing cell. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the predosedage amount is detected with a product flow meter. The detection device may comprise a load cell, a product flow meter and / or an encoder for detecting the position of the metering piston.

The metering chamber may be formed on the valve head. This is one as possible low, not detected by the measuring device amount of product in a line between the metering chamber and the filling member. As a result, the measuring device works even more accurately.

ID 30 Transport system and method for transporting plastic containers

The invention relates to a transport system and method for transporting plastic containers having the features of the preambles of claims 1 and 10, respectively.

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

Furthermore, transport systems such as transport stars, conveyor belts, carousels or the like are known for transfer between two or for transport within a container handling machines. The containers are usually held on the container neck and / or container bottom with corresponding container receptacles.

The disadvantage here is that the plastic containers are occasionally not far enough cooled during molding and filling in a processing machine and then can be plastically deformed by the recordings of the transport system. As a result, the quality of the plastic containers suffers during transport.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a transport system for a container treatment machine which minimally impairs the quality of the plastic containers.

This object is achieved in a transport system having the features of the preamble of claim 1 with the features of the characterizing part, according to which the container receptacle has at least one adapted to the container shape suction cup for attacking and holding the plastic container.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The fact that the suction cup is adapted to the container shape, the plastic container is extensively attacked or held. Consequently, the holding force is particularly evenly distributed at the contact surface to the plastic container and there are no voltage spikes. In addition, a heated and still deformable plastic container is stabilized by the adapted shape of the suction cup in the desired container shape. As a result, even unstable containers can be reliably transported in the processing process without quality degradation with the transport system.

The transport system and / or the container treatment plant can be arranged in a beverage processing plant. The container treatment system may include a container manufacturing machine for forming preforms into the plastic containers. The transport system may be upstream or downstream of a container treatment machine, a container manufacturing machine, a mold filling machine, a stretch blow molding machine, a rinser, a filler, a capper and / or a packaging machine. The mold filling machine may comprise at least one treatment station for expanding the preform to the plastic container in the mold cavity and for filling the product into the plastic container in the mold

The plastic containers may be intended to contain drinks, toiletries, pastes, chemical, biological and / or pharmaceutical products. The plastic containers may be plastic bottles, cans and / or tubes. The plastic containers may in particular be PET, HD-PE or PP containers or bottles.

The transport system can be designed as a transport star, carousel or conveyor belt. The transport star and / or the carousel can be designed to be rotatable about a vertical axis by means of a drive. "Vertical" can mean here that this is the direction that is directed to the center of the earth. The container receptacle can be connected via a transport arm to the drive. In particular, a vertical central shaft / shaft / column can be rotatable with the drive and a plurality of substantially horizontal transport arms can be arranged in a star shape. The container receptacle can be provided for receiving a plastic container at the neck, the container body and / or container bottom. It is conceivable that the container receptacle additionally comprises buffers, grippers, supports and the like.

The suction cup may be formed of a rubber-like material to conform to the container shape particularly well. This improves the suction effect. The suction cup may have at least one contact zone with an edge formed as a sealing element. The edge may be lip-shaped. For supplying a lower, equalizing or overpressure, the suction cup may have channels which in particular connect a pressure connection with the contact zone. To stabilize its shape, the suction cup may have rib and / or honeycomb elements. It is also conceivable that the suction cup consists of at least two different rigid types of plastic or a rubber-like plastic insert in a carrier element. This results in a high dimensional stability at the same time good sealing effect.

The fact that the suction cup is adapted to the container shape, can mean here that a contact surface of the suction cup is formed corresponding to at least a portion of the container shape. For example, the suction cup with its contact surface can essentially be a negative mold to the corresponding part region of the container.

The suction cup can be made to adapt to the container shape with a 3D printing process. As a result, the suction cup can be adapted to a particular type of container particularly quickly and inexpensively. The 3D printing process may be, for example, a laser sintering, stereolithography or 3D direct printing process. However, any other 3D printing methods that can produce the suction cup in points, lines or layers from a rubber-like material are also conceivable. Furthermore, with the 3D printing method, a casting or prototype (without machining) can be produced, via which the suction cup can be produced by means of an impression. Furthermore, the 3D geometry of a particular container type from a CAD system, a 3D scanner and / or a variety management can serve as a basis for the production of the suction cup with the 3D printing process. It is conceivable here that geometry parts of the container type are automatically processed to the geometry of the suction cup with an automatic software.

A vacuum unit may be provided to provide a negative pressure in the suction cup and in particular be arranged on the container receptacle. As a result, the suction effect of the suction cup can be switched on and off. Each container receptacle can be assigned a vacuum unit. It is conceivable that the suction cups of the transport system can each be supplied upon reaching a receiving position with a negative pressure to receive the container and each can be supplied at a discharge position with a compensation or overpressure to deliver the recorded container again.

The vacuum unit may be formed as a bellows, piston or diaphragm system. As a result, the vacuum unit is particularly simple and therefore inexpensive. In addition, the vacuum unit may be connected to a vacuum pump for assistance. Preferably, several or all vacuum units of the transport system may be connected to a vacuum pump, for example via a rotary distributor.

A control cam, a motor and / or a spring may be formed for actuating the vacuum unit. As a result, the vacuum unit can be automatically operated at the desired recording or dispensing position. For example, the control cam can be designed to exert a pressure on the vacuum unit at a desired position in order to compress it. This releases the vacuum in the suction cup at this position. By contrast, the vacuum unit is expanded by an oppositely acting spring and builds up the desired negative pressure. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the control cam exerts a pulling force on the vacuum unit. Further, a motor instead of the control cam may be provided to operate at the desired position, the vacuum unit.

Preferably, the vacuum unit may be connected to the suction cup via a pressure channel. As a result, the container receptacle is particularly simple. For example, the transport system may comprise a plurality of container receptacles each having a suction cup and a negative pressure unit connected via a pressure channel. By the actuating mechanisms described in more detail above, the vacuum units can then be controlled at the desired positions.

The transport system may comprise at least one platform for supporting the container bottom, wherein the platform is designed to run in particular with the container receptacle. As a result, even very heavy containers can be transported safely. It is conceivable that each container receptacle is associated with a platform. The suction cup can attack or hold the container laterally.

The suction cup may be connected via a switchable control valve with a vacuum pump. It is conceivable here that the control valve is electronically switchable and the transport system can be configured so flexible. Preferably, several or all suction cups of the transport system with the vacuum pump, for example via a rotary distributor, connected.

In addition, the invention with claim 10 provides a method for transporting plastic containers in a container treatment plant, characterized in that the plastic containers are transported with a suction cup adapted to the container shape.

Due to the adapted suction cup, the force on the plastic container is distributed over a particularly large area without voltage peaks. Furthermore, the container shape is stabilized by the adapted suction cup. As a result, heated containers, which are particularly easy to deform, can be safely transported without loss of quality.

For receiving or dispensing the plastic container, a vacuum unit can be actuated with a control cam, whereby a suction, compensation or overpressure is generated in the suction cup. This makes it particularly easy to control the picking and dispensing of the plastic containers.

Moreover, the method may comprise the features described above with respect to claims 1-9 individually or in any combination.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures.

ID 31 Form filling machine for forming and filling containers

The invention relates to a mold filling machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

As is known, plastic containers can be produced by stretch blow molding from preforms.

As an alternative to inflating the container with compressed air describes the EP 1529620 B1 a method for the hydraulic forming of preforms into plastic bottles. For this purpose, the preforms are first heated, placed in a mold and stretched there in the longitudinal direction. Mineral water or the like is further introduced under pressure to produce the final container shape. The mineral water remains in the container, so that a subsequent separate filling step is dispensable.

The US 2011/0031659 A1 further describes a method in which a heated preform is stretched by means of a stretching rod and then hydraulically expanded by means of an incompressible fluid, in particular water, to form a container. Thereafter, the fluid is displaced by compressed air and drains from the container.

If a hot aseptic or hot sterile filling of filling material takes place in a combined blowing and filling machine, then the filled container and the contents located in the container must be kept at a sterilization temperature for a certain time in order to achieve a required sterilization rate.

The DE 10 2011 012 751 A1 describes a method and a plant for the production of filled containers of preforms made of a thermoplastic material, wherein a preform is formed during a molding and filling phase in a mold by pressure of the supplied filling material in the respective container. The sealed container is transported for further sterilization of the contents and the container interior to a separate pasteurization and heated there to a sterilization temperature which is higher than the temperature of the contents during the molding and filling process.

It is an object of the present invention to advantageously develop known devices for molding and filling plastic containers, so that a required sterilization of a filled container and a pasteurization of the liquid present in the filled container can take place with an energy saving and preferably with an improved efficiency.

This object is achieved by the mold filling machine according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims.

By definition, a mold-filling machine comprises at least one treatment station for expanding plastic preforms into plastic containers in a mold and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the product into the plastic containers.

By definition, liquids, including those containing dissolved carbon dioxide or the like, are by definition incompressible fluids in terms of their function in forming and filling the containers, as opposed to gases that are functionally defined as compressible fluids.

The plastic containers to be produced and to be filled may be bottles made of polyester, in particular PET bottles. Molds, in particular blow molds for producing plastic containers are well known in the prior art and are therefore not further described. In general, such a mold comprises two lateral mold halves and a bottom mold which, after introduction of a preform heated in an oven, are brought together to form a plastic container from the preform. After production and filling of the plastic container, the blow mold is opened to remove the filled container.

A mold filling machine for molding and filling plastic containers comprises at least one processing station for expanding preforms into plastic containers in a mold cavity and for filling a substantially liquid product or at least one liquid or solid component of the substantially liquid product into the plastic containers in the mold cavity and one Oven with a preheating section for heating the preforms. The mold-filling machine also comprises a pasteurizing line for pasteurizing the filled plastic containers, the heat of the oven being used at least partially for pasteurisation.

The preheating section serves to heat the preforms to a preheating temperature, so that the preforms can be converted to the plastic containers after being introduced into the mold. The heating can take place according to a specific temperature profile, which can take into account the material of the preform as well as a desired wall thickness distribution of the container obtained by the expanding forming. The heat required to heat up to the preheat temperature may be generated by means of heating elements such as radiant heaters. The preheat temperature may be in a range of 70 ° to 80 °. It can be provided that the mouth region of the preforms is heated only to a lower temperature than the other regions of the preform or not at all, in order to prevent deformation of the mouth region.

The preforms can be transported along the preheating in the oven by means of a transport device, wherein the transport device is preferably controllable. This makes it possible to set the transport speed and thus the residence time of the preforms in the oven as needed. The transport device can be designed as neck handling.

For an energy saving, it is advantageous at least partially to use the heat of the furnace, which also serves to heat the preforms, for pasteurizing the filled container.

The Pasteurisierstrecke can pass through the oven. The term "through" is intended here to indicate, in particular, that the pasteurizing section is arranged in the oven in such a way that the heat of the oven can act directly on the pasteurizing section and thus on the filled containers transported along the pasteurizing section. Since the Pasteurisierstrecke runs through the oven, the heat of the oven can be used directly. For example, the filled containers with the heating elements of the furnace, with which the preforms are heated, heated and the liquid in the container can be pasteurized. In this case, various arrangements of the Pasteurisierstrecke may be provided in relation to the preheating.

This Pasteurisierstrecke can be arranged in a first plane and the preheating of the preforms in a second plane of the furnace, wherein the first plane and the second plane are arranged one above the other.

The designations "first" and "second" serve only to distinguish between the two levels and otherwise do not constitute a limitation. The term "plane" should nevertheless take into account the three-dimensionality of the preforms or of the filled plastic containers. The person skilled in the art recognizes that such a plane can run, for example, through the mouth-sealing surface of the preforms or the filled plastic containers or else through the bottom surface of the filled plastic containers.

For pasteurizing the filled plastic containers and for heating the preforms heating elements may be arranged in the oven. By means of the heating elements can be produced for example by infrared radiation or microwave radiation, the required temperature for the heating of the preforms and for pasteurizing the filled plastic containers.

In one embodiment, first heating elements may be provided for pasteurizing the filled plastic containers and second heating elements for heating the preforms. Thus, the first heating elements can for example be set to a different temperature than the second heating elements, whereby it is possible in a simple manner to achieve different temperatures for the pasteurization of the filled plastic containers or for the heating of the preforms.

In another embodiment, the heating elements can be provided both for pasteurizing the filled plastic containers and for heating the preforms. Thus, the Number of required heating elements are kept smaller than in the aforementioned embodiment. In order to have a different temperature available for pasteurization, one or more sections of the pasteurizing section may be insulated from the heating elements, so that there is no supply of heat. It can also be provided that ambient air is introduced into such insulated sections in order to ensure a cooling of the filled plastic containers.

A first transport direction of the pasteurizing section can be aligned in the same direction or in opposite directions to a second transport direction of the preheating section.

The designations "first" and "second" serve only to distinguish the transport directions and are otherwise no limitation. Thus, depending on the structural conditions in the vicinity of the mold filling machine, the most suitable arrangement can be selected, so that the supply of the preforms or the filled Plastic container can be placed in the oven from one side and / or the other side.

When the preheating path of the preforms in the furnace is first in a first direction and then deflected in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the pasteurizing section and the preheating section of the first direction may be substantially one over the other or the pasteurizing section and the part of the preheating section of the second direction is substantially one above the other, or the pasteurizing section may be arranged substantially below an area between the part of the preheating section of the first direction and the part of the preheating section of the second direction.

In another embodiment, the mold filling machine may further comprise a pasteurizing unit in which the pasteurizing section is arranged, the pasteurising unit being designed to be heated by the heat of the oven.

The mold filling machine may also include one or more heat exchangers configured to at least partially transfer the heat of the oven to the pasteurizer unit. Thus, although the Pasteurisierstrecke the filled plastic container does not pass through the oven, but the heat of the furnace can still be used for pasteurization, so that an energy saving can be achieved and the efficiency of the Pasteurisiereinheit can be improved.

In the various embodiments, the pasteurizing section may include active sections for supplying heat and passive sections for which no supply of heat or ambient air is introduced.

The use of active and passive sections is particularly advantageous when the same heating elements are provided both for pasteurizing the filled plastic containers and for heating the preforms in the oven. In order to have a different temperature available for pasteurization than is supplied by the heating elements, a portion or several portions of the pasteurizing line may be insulated from the heating elements, so that no supply of heat takes place. It can also be provided that in such isolated sections (passive section) ambient air is introduced to provide for cooling of the filled plastic containers.

In the various embodiments, it can also be provided that a first transport device of the preforms of the preheating section can be controlled independently of a second transport device of the filled plastic containers of the pasteurization section.

The terms "first" and "second" serve only to distinguish the transport devices and are otherwise no limitation. The first transport device may be a neck handling. Because the two transport devices can be controlled independently of one another, the residence time of the preforms in the preheating section can be different from the residence time of the filled plastic containers in the pasteurization section.

The mold-filling machine may further comprise a sterilizing device designed to sterilize the filled plastic containers by means of steam generated by the heat of the oven.

The invention relates to a method for producing a plastic container and to its filling with at least one filling product in a mold, comprising introducing a preform into the mold, in particular a blow mold, and at least partially producing the plastic container by applying at least a first to the preform , pressurized medium, wherein the first medium is an incompressible fluid.

The incompressible fluid is advantageously the filling product.

In an alternative embodiment, the preform is first through the first medium with a first temperature applied and then by a second medium, in particular by an incompressible fluid having a second temperature, which deviates from the first temperature.

Alternatively, the preform is further acted upon by a second medium, in particular by a gaseous blowing medium.

In the method, the plastic container by applying to the second medium, in particular with gaseous blowing medium, only partially formed, and the remaining shape of the plastic container can be carried out by filling with the first medium, in particular by filling product.

According to an alternative development of the invention, the first medium after the completion of the plastic container can be at least partially sucked out of the plastic container again

The above objects are also achieved by a mold filling machine for producing a plastic container and filling it with a filling product in a mold comprising a mold for molding a plastic container from a preform. a first supply line for supplying a first medium to the mold for at least partially molding the plastic container and a pressure generator to convey the medium under pressure in the first supply line, wherein the first medium is an incompressible fluid.

Alternatively, the medium comprises the filling product and / or another filling product and the pressure generator comprises a pump or a pressure chamber with reciprocating pistons.

According to a further alternative embodiment, the pressure chamber and / or the first supply line comprises a heating device ( 18434 ) for heating the medium.

Furthermore, a second supply line for a second medium, in particular for gaseous blowing medium may be present.

The medium and / or the filling product can be guided via a common feed, in particular a hollow-drilled stretching rod, into the plastic container to be formed.

Furthermore, the device may comprise at least one control valve to regulate the supply of the medium and / or the filling product to the mold.

Figure description ID 11:

As the 1 can detect, include the treatment stations according to the invention 115 in a preferred embodiment, a respective hollow mold 116 that move from each other (see arrows in the 1 ) Moldings 116a - 116c consists of a multi-part mold carrier 1110 is held, and each a valve head 1111 , By means of a (known per se and therefore not shown) lifting unit can be a hub 1111a of the valve head 1111 Perform this to the hollow shape 116 and a preform placed in it 113 lower sealingly. The lateral moldings 116a . 116b are diverge for demolding and are also called mold halves. The lower molding 116c can be pulled down and is also called ground cup. The mold 116 is opened / closed by means of mechanical cam control, for example.

The mold 116 facing the valve head 1111 a fluid nozzle 1112 designed to provide fluid transport in and out of the preform 113 allows. Through the valve head 1111 is a stretch rod 1113 pneumatically and hydraulically sealed. By means of a further (known per se and therefore not shown) lifting unit can be a hub 1113a the stretch rod 1113a with respect to the valve head 1111 Run to the stretch rod 1113 through the fluid nozzle 1112 in the preform 113 introduce and thus mechanically stretch in the longitudinal direction during forming.

In the 1 are exemplary flow paths / lines 1114 - 1118 for incompressible and compressible fluids indicated by dashed arrows schematically. Only schematically shown are associated, electrically and / or pneumatically controllable valves 1114a - 1118a for the controlled opening and closing of the individual flow paths / lines 1114 - 1118 , In principle, all valves which are designed for the respective fluids, if appropriate also for agents for cleaning and / or sterilization, are suitable for this purpose. The location of the valves 1114a - 1118a in the 1 serves a clear presentation. Especially with the fluid nozzle 1112 connected valves 1114a - 1116a are preferably in the valve head 1111 integrated in the sense of a valve block.

The fluid nozzle 1112 is therefore with a controlled open supply line 1114 for an incompressible molding fluid, which is, for example, sterile water or the like. Further, the fluid nozzle 1112 preferably with a separate, controlled to open supply line 1115 for a liquid product or a component of the product, for example a ready-mixed beverage or a product concentrate which is miscible with the molding fluid.

For serially dosing a product concentrate into the after molding in the container 112 existing molding fluid would also be a common supply line 1114 to the valve head 1111 conceivable. The supply line 1115 For example, it could also be used to dose solid product ingredients, such as fruit pieces. Likewise could be present for this purpose, another supply. Would be suitable for example (after reversing the in the 1 flow path shown) an optional by the stretch rod 1113 leading line 1117 ,

The fluid nozzle 1112 is preferably with at least one controlled to open suction line 1116 for the molding fluid and / or generally for evacuation of the container 112 connected.

In the example, the line is 1117 for suction through an optionally tubular stretch rod 1113 and openings therein 1113b designed to form fluid, for example, in the bottom region of the container 112 targeted, fast and / or completely vacuum. The openings 1113b However, could be formed arbitrarily and / or on the stretch rod 1113 be distributed, especially supplemented or replaced by a frontal opening.

In a complete suction of the molding fluid through the suction line 1116 and / or the line 1117 is preferably a suitable for the subsequent filling internal negative pressure P1 in the container 112 generated.

Preferably, at least one pneumatic suction line 1118 present, with the one between the mold 116 and containers 112 acting external negative pressure P2 can be generated. The suction line 1118 is then preferably to an electrically or pneumatically controlled three-way valve 1118a and (only schematically indicated) venting channels 1118b connected.

The three-way valve 1118a allows the targeted venting of the mold 116 during expansion of the preform 113 and the targeted external evacuation between the mold 116 and containers 112 when filling with the internal negative pressure P1. The external negative pressure P2 compensates the internal negative pressure P1 at least to the extent that thin container walls 112 despite the internal negative pressure P1 does not deform inward. The container 112 therefore has its nominal volume when filling.

Schematically indicated is also one for the treatment stations 115 together at the carousel 114 trained media distributor 1119 , For example, a rotary distributor with annular channels for fluids.

Schematically indicated is also a hydraulic compressor 1120 for individually compressing the molding fluid for the treatment station 115 , This can be when molding the individual containers 112 Timing the pressure in the molding fluid controlled and reproducible generate.

At the valve head 1111 , the compressor 1120 and / or the supply line 1114 can also be a heating element 1121 be formed for the molding fluid to this individually at each treatment station 115 to warm up. This allows for the molding of individual containers 112 Controlling and reproducible time profiles of the temperature in the molding fluid. In addition, the mold fluid can be heated to at least a desired conditioning temperature at which the material of the preform 113 can be specifically conditioned before or during forming, for example, to influence the crystallization in the plastic.

Alternatively or proportionately, the overpressure and / or the temperature of the molding fluid could be central to several treatment stations 115 or in the respective supply lines 1114 be set. It would also be conceivable at every treatment station 115 several supply lines 1114 hold for the molding fluid at different pressure levels and / or temperature levels and the molding fluid during molding of the container 112 selectively switch from these leads and / or mix.

Especially the left half of the 2 can be seen in a schematic side view, are also sealing elements 1122 - 1124 present, with which the mold 116 when filling the container 112 towards the outside and against the valve head 1111 is pneumatically sealed to produce and / or maintain the external negative pressure P2. The ventilation channels 1118b are for this purpose hermetically sealed and / or airtight by means of the three-way valve 1118a to the suction line 1118 connected.

Preferably, on the lateral moldings 116a and or 116b for example, along the inner contour of the mold 116 extending lateral sealing elements 1122 formed, for example, in a corresponding valve seat on the moldings 116a . 116b are attached and closed mold 116 lie substantially in their common parting plane.

Further, along the entire circumference of the lower mold part 116c at least one lower sealing element 1123 formed, for example, in a corresponding valve seat on the molding 116c is attached and closed mold 116 extends substantially transversely to the parting plane and against the lateral moldings 116a . 116b seals.

Furthermore, the front side and fully on the valve head 1111 at least one upper sealing element 1124 formed, for example, in a corresponding valve seat on the valve head 1111 is attached and closed mold 116 extends substantially transversely to the parting plane and against the lateral moldings 116a . 116b seals. However, it would also be possible, the upper sealing element 1124 in two parts on the upper front side of the lateral mold halves 116a . 116b train.

Especially the right half of the 2 clarified in cross section, overlap or cross the sealing elements 1122 preferably both with the lower sealing element 1123 as well as with the upper sealing element 1124 , The sealing elements may have any profiles and consist at their sealing surfaces of a rubber, silicone or the like elastic material.

mold 116 and valve head 1111 could pivot about a horizontal axis at the treatment station 115 be stored (not shown) to drain and suction of the molding fluid from the molded container 112 with down-facing mouth of the container 112 as well as filling the container 112 with product with upward facing mouth. Top and bottom of the moldings 116a - 116c are therefore not in terms of their orientation on the carousel 114 but with respect to the mouth and the bottom of the container 112 Are defined.

After lifting the valve head 1111 could be the container filled with product 112 still on the carousel 114 be closed with a screw cap (not shown) or the like. This would be advantageous especially for carbonated drinks. The containers 112 However, in principle, they can also be used in the area of the outlet star 119 or be sealed in an immediately following capping machine.

For the hydraulic forming suitable plastics are for example PET, PE, PP or the like.

With the mold filling machine 111 For example, we can work as follows:
The preforms 113 be as a continuous flow of product through the oven 117 driven, heated therein to a suitable temperature for the subsequent forming, and of the inlet star 118 to each one treatment station 115 to hand over. It would also be possible to transfer the preforms 113 directly from an injection molding machine to the infeed star 118 ,

One preform each 113 becomes with the area to be deformed, for example, the area below one on the preform 113 possibly existing carrying rings, in one of the on the carousel 114 continuously encircling molds 116 placed in a conventional manner and the associated valve head 1111 on the mold 116 and the preform 113 lowered sealing.

The incompressible molding fluid is passed through the valve head at a predetermined gauge pressure and temperature 1111 and the fluid nozzle 1112 in the preform 113 passed and the preform 113 thereby hydraulically pressed. This is preferably assisted by mechanical stretching of the preform in its longitudinal direction.

Pressure and temperature of the molding fluid are preferably applied to the hydraulic compressor during pressing 1120 and the heating element 1121 programmed adapted to specified time profiles for the individual forming process. The adaptation takes place, for example, by entering and / or starting programs on the form filling machine 111 , In the mold 116 through the forming container 112 displaced air can pass through the vents 1118b and the three-way valve 1118a escape. At the end of the forming process lies the wall of the molded container 112 on the mold 116 at.

If the molding fluid is not part of the product to be filled, the container becomes 112 by suction through the fluid nozzle 1112 and the valve head 1111 for example, by opening the valve 1116a and or 1117a in the pipe 1116 and or 1117 emptied. This can be supported by the container 112 temporarily transported upside down.

One by suction in the tank 112 generated internal negative pressure is maintained for the subsequent filling or further reduced by additional extraction. Compensatory is between outer wall of the container 112 and the mold 116 an external negative pressure P2 by suction, for example by opening the valve 1118a to the suction line 1118 produced to collapse the container 112 because of in the container 112 to avoid the filling of the prevailing internal negative pressure P1.

One in the container 112 prevailing internal negative pressure P1 becomes the valve 1115a in the supply line 1115 opened to the product in the container 112 to lead. The product is preferably for this purpose with a suitable overpressure in the supply line 1115 provided. After reaching the specified filling volume, the valve 1115a closed again, the mold 116 opened and the filled container 112 removed and to the outlet star 119 to hand over.

The container 112 is for example in the area of the outlet star 119 or sealed in a sealing machine coupled thereto. A closure would also be in the surrounding treatment stations 115 possible and there particularly advantageous for carbonated drinks.

As an alternative to the above filling process, the molding fluid could be a component of the product and only partially from the molded container 112 be removed. This would be possible both by suction of the excess molding fluid and by displacing the excess molding fluid when introducing at least one further product component. For this purpose, preferably the supply line 1115 used and the valve 1115a open. However, could also be the supply line 1114 be used alternately for supplying the molding fluid and at least one product component. The product to be filled is thus in this filling variant in the container 112 , inside the mold 116 , mixed.

The mold filling machine according to the invention and the above method for molding containers and filling a product in the mold could be modified as desired in the context of the described embodiments in a technically meaningful manner.

Description of the character ID 12

3 shows roughly schematically a treatment station 125 , wherein the hollow shape 126 for example, from two opposite moldings 126a , b and a bottom part 126c is formed, with the parts 126a , b can be swung apart. The device further comprises an axially movable valve head 1211 up in the direction 1211a is movable up and down, and on the mouthpiece of the preform 123 can be placed tight, such that then z. B. via a blowing nozzle, here: fluid nozzle 1212 , Fluid in the preform 123 for shaping can be introduced via the mouthpiece. Over an axially movable stretch rod 1213 can put pressure on the preform 123 be applied in the axial direction to the preform 123 to be clamped in the axial direction. The stretching rod 1213 is hollow here and has at least one opening 1213b for sucking off the molding fluid or for supplying with molding fluid. The fluid nozzle 1212 is with supply lines 1214 . 1215 connected for molding fluid or product and, for example, a pneumatic suction line, for example, for the interior of the container during filling. Via a pneumatic suction line 1218 can be generated in the mold, a certain negative pressure, so that, for example at a negative pressure in the plastic container produced, a collapse of the plastic container can be prevented. With 1219 is a media distributor called. With 1220 is a compressor called for the molding fluid.

In 3 is the treatment station 125 such that the preform 123 through an open area in the container mouth via the fluid nozzle 1212 is filled. However, it is also possible that when the valve head is lowered over the stretch rod 13 or a corresponding filling tube of the preform 123 is filled with incompressible fluid for molding the plastic container. This fluid can be the end product at the same time. However, it is also possible to suck this fluid again after the plastic container has been molded and then the container 122 To fill with product, for example by the filling tube or the stretch rod 1213 ,

Thus, according to the present invention, a method for molding and filling plastic containers will now be used 122 the preform 123 before shaping with a closure 1222 Mistake. In the following, different embodiments of preforms with different closures will be explained in more detail.

4a shows a preform 123 whose mouthpiece has a closure 1222 is closed. This closure 1222 here has a membrane 1223 which is preferably formed elastically, and may be formed from the following material: PP, PE, LDPE, HDPE, PET, PEN, PTFE. The membrane 1223 has a thickness in a range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. The membrane may, for example, during or after the manufacturing process of the preform 123 in or immediately after the device 1234 ( 1 ) or later, just before the preform 123 the mold filling machine is supplied, are applied. As a method is suitable here z. As a welding of the membrane with heat or ultrasound. Alternatively, the injection molding process of the preform can also be controlled such that injection of a second plastic component forms a membrane in the region of the mouthpiece which closes the mouthpiece. This closure 1222 , in particular the membrane, prevents contamination / contamination of the preform interior and later the spilling of the product from the finished molded and filled plastic bottle 122 in the filling molding machine. However, the membrane can also be fixed to the preform after the injection process with known measures (infrared application, weld-on).

The closure, here the membrane 1223 , can be a prefabricated passage 24 have, are introduced by the example, a fluid can, or a filling tube or a stretch rod 1213 can be carried out. The closure is preferably deformable, in particular reversibly deformable, in order to be able to virtually prevent recontamination at any time. However, irreversible deformation of the passage is 1224 also possible. If the passage is reversibly deformable, there is the advantage that the passage closes again after the deformation process (for example, as in the case of a squeeze membrane in the case of a ketchup bottle). This can be the passage 1224 be formed so that he, as in 4b and c is shown, from a slot or a plurality of cross or star-shaped slots 1230a , b, c, d ( 4b ) or 1230a - 1230H ( 4c ) is trained. The areas between the slots are deformable when pressure is applied in the appropriate direction. In the 4b and c, the slots lie in one plane and approach the point P. When no pressure is exerted, for example, no stretching rod 1213 or no filling pipe anymore, against the passage 1224 or no overpressure acts, the areas between the slots return to their original position and close the preform. The closure or membrane may also be designed so that it is easier to deform in one direction when pressure is applied than in the other. In the present invention, the opening is easier to open in pressure from outside to inside, as in pressure from the inside to the outside. One way to realize such a closure is in 4d and 4e shown. In the membrane 1223 is a hollow-shaped bulge 1231 provided, with the slots 1230 located in an area of the bulge and to a point 12P Run below (ie, in the direction of preform bottom) of the top edge of the membrane 1223 lies. Will a pressure from the top of the bulge 1231 or the passage 1224 exercised, the areas between the slots open 1230 as shown by the arrows and the passage 1224 opens. With decreasing pressure, the membrane parts close again. In addition, however, it is also ensured at the same time that the passage of the closure or the membrane does not open automatically at an overpressure in the preforms or the bottle and so can maintain an overpressure. At the same time, the passage but at a pressure from the outside z. B. release the pressure through an incoming medium the opening.

7 shows a further embodiment of a possible closure 1222 , which also has a passage 1224 is provided, this membrane 1223 a tab 1232 which serves as a pull-tab, and which makes it possible to simply remove the membrane from the finished-blown, filled bottle before consuming the product.

At the in 8th shown embodiment of the present invention, the closure 1222 next to the membrane 1223 another lid 1227 with a corresponding opening. The lid 1227 encloses the preform here 123 like a cap. It protects the membrane against mechanical damage and can also serve as an end closure at the same time. Below the opening is the membrane 1223 , The lid 1227 can be a hinged or swiveling element 1229 having, for example, elastically with the rest of the lid 1227 is connected and which closes the opening and, as shown by the case, can be folded upwards, such that the opening to the membrane 1223 is exposed. It is advantageous if this element is designed as a flap, which can pivot away about a pivot point A upwards. At one point of the lid 1227 there is a notch or a tab 1232 that allows the lid 1227 align plastic container with a preferred angle, so that the flap 1229 in the lid 1227 can be opened by a mechanical device before the molding / filling.

After shaping the preform 123 and filling in the mold 126 Can the flap 1229 in the lid 1227 closed and sealed. This can be done with a kind of adhesive and / or sealant. It is advantageous to weld the flap inextricably by a plastic welding process with the rest of the lid. The lid 1227 is z. B. via a screw thread with the preform 123 connected.

Alternatively to the in 8th For example, the embodiment shown may be applied to the preform as shown in FIG 4a or 7 is shown, a protective cap (not shown) are applied to the mouthpiece of the preform to protect the membrane from mechanical damage.

Will not self-closing closure, such as in connection with the 4a E described, used, for example, the membrane can also be safely closed as follows. But also a selbstverschliessender passage may additionally in connection with 9 and 10 will be closed pressure-tight.

9 shows roughly schematically a blowing nozzle, or fluid nozzle 1212 that on the preform 123 seated. To fill a filling tube 1213 through the passage 1224 introduced into the preform and moves out after the molding / filling back up on the preform, wherein the membrane 1223 over the filling tube 1213 or the stretch rod tenteltachartig is pulled upwards and then thermally, in particular by a hot scissors 1235 , at a point below the filling tube or the stretch rod 1230 closed and preferably separated, as in 10 is shown. To the membrane 23 To pull up, the filling tube may be formed at the lower end so that it has a projection V ( 9 ) in the lower region of the filling tube, wherein at this point the stretching rod or the filling tube has a larger diameter than the diameter e in an upper region of the filling tube or the stretching rod. Thus, the membrane remains 1223 Hang on the projection V, when the filling tube or the stretch rod moves upward. In this embodiment, the membrane should preferably be made so that the material still overhangs.

Hereinafter, a possible preferred embodiment with reference to 9 and 10 explained in more detail.

The preform is sterilized and sealed with a membrane so that no germs can get into the preform. The mold carrier for supporting the preform is closed and (not shown). The valve head 1211 or the blowing nozzle 1212 (see also 3 ) moves onto the preform, tensions the membrane and seals to the outside. The stretch rod is here as a filling tube 1213 educated. The stretching rod 1213 lowers and pierces the membrane 1223 , The stretch rod or filling tube must be aseptically clean. That's why the stuffing tube is as in 9 . 10 shown, enclosed. There is also an aperture 1233 (see also 11 ) intended. When placing on the panel, the aperture opens and the filling tube can then pierce the membrane. The preform 123 is filled with contents and the air escapes through Rückspülbohrungen in the stretch rod, or in the tuyere 1212 , The filling can be done with a compressor for molding fluid 1220 (please refer 3 ) and the filling can also take place via a piston filler (not shown). The stretch rod moves down and extends the bottle in the axial direction. The opening of the stretch rod or the filling tube should be at the top, since there the pressure is greatest and thus accommodates the stretching. The incompressible fluid, here the product, is pressed into the plastic bottle at about 40 bar, thereby completing the bottle. The filling tube or the stretching rod then moves upwards and fills the bottle up to the final volume. When raising the filling tube or the stretch rod gas flows into the bottle 122 (Relax). When the fill tube or stretch rod is raised, the membrane is pulled up like a tent, as previously described, and welded over a hot clamp. When pulling back the scissors, the cut-off, superfluous membrane part is taken and disposed of. The bottle is then removed from the treatment station 125 moved out. Optionally, an additional closing takes place.

Another closure option is that, for example, the stretch rod 1213 or the filling tube 1213 is provided at the lower end with a stopper or latching closure, the withdrawal of the stretch rod or the filling tube 1213 on the then finished shaped container in the passage 1224 gets stuck or locked so that it is closed. In this way, a finished filled sealed container is prepared, which is sealed immediately after molding and filling and ready for the end. This avoids the need for another capper which, on the one hand, causes investments and, on the other, poses a risk of re-contamination. However, as previously explained, the closure can 1222 additionally be provided with a further closure or sealed.

However, after the forming and filling process, the passage can not only be closed via the filling tube or stretch rod, but also via a separate device with a corresponding element.

As in particular from 5 It is also possible to use the preform 123 at least partially with a first incompressive fluid 1225 to fill before it's in the mold 126 is placed. The first incompressive fluid 1225 can either be the final product that is in the plastic container 122 or part of the final product or a non-final fluid.

Preferably, the incompressive first fluid is already in the oven before the preform is heated 127 (as in 121 ) filled. Thus, the fluid in the heating process (eg, IR or microwave) serves as a heating medium, since fluids are usually very good heat conductors. Thus, upon heating, not only the preform wall is heated by means of the electromagnetic radiation provided, but also the fluid, which in turn, once warm, assists in heating the preform. After the heating oven 127 can the preform directly into the forming station 125 be given in which then converted by means of further incompressible fluid, the preform to the finished container and filled. However, it is also possible that the incompressible fluid only after the oven 127 directly before the deformation process in the preform 123 initiate. Thus, the air in the preform is displaced for the most part, which then leads neither to the degeneration of the product nor must be derived in the subsequent pressing of the preform. The closed and prefilled preforms 123 can be prefilled and closed to Füllformvorrichtung be delivered and handed over to the machine. You can, however, also in front of the heater 127 filled and closed. Preferably, the thus filled and sealed preform is so through the heater 127 Drove that shutter 1222 and also the mouth region of the preform still untreated, so remains relatively cold. While the preform in the heater 127 heated to a temperature of about 75 ° C to 120 ° C in the lower region, the mouth region or the closure remains in a temperature range of 20 ° C to 70 ° C. This can be achieved, for example, by irradiating the upper area of the preform, ie, the area of the opening, less intensively than the rest of the preform, by shielding the mouth area. For this purpose, shielding plates are preferably provided. The mouth area can also be cooled separately. In this embodiment, either the preforms 123 be filled and then closed or even first closed and then with the first fluid through, for example, a passage 1225 be filled.

It is particularly advantageous if the preform is filled with constituents of the end product, such as with a syrup or with lumpy contents. The preform thus used can then be formed in the forming and filling step with the diluent liquid (for example, water), so that then the finished molded base container is filled with the finished product. In this way, for example, drinks, such as lemonade, can be produced. Other mixed products (such as milk with different fat contents) can also be made this way. So it is conceivable, for example, to fill the preform with very high-fat milk, filled and get delivered sealed and warm and then perform the deformation process with low-fat milk, so that then the correct fat content of the final product is set at the end of the process. In this way, dosage systems become superfluous because the preform itself acts as a metering chamber.

However, it is also possible to fill a non-end product fluid into the preform. The preform can be filled, for example, with a disinfectant, in particular H ₂ O ₂ . For example, a preform 123 in a corresponding facility 1234 prepared and sealed immediately thereafter, preferably as long as the preform is still hot. Then, for example, a drop of disinfectant, z. B. H ₂ O ₂ (corresponding to from 0.5 ml to 5 ml) introduced into the preform, for example, through a passage 1224 , Particularly advantageous if the preform is still so hot by the injection process that the hydrogen peroxide or the disinfectant evaporates and forms a corresponding atmosphere in the preform, which has a sterilizing effect on the preform inner wall. If the temperature of the preform after injection is insufficient to vaporize the hydrogen peroxide, while heating the preform in the oven 127 takes place, the disinfectant or the H ₂ O ₂ evaporates and it forms a H ₂ O ₂ atmosphere in the preform, which sterilises or sterilizes the preform inner wall. Immediately before the forming / filling process in the treatment station 125 is the disinfectant gas or H ₂ O ₂ gas through the closure and in particular the membrane 1223 aspirated or rinsed and passed to a central collection point. From there it can be obtained if necessary, for example, to sterilize the blowing / filling machine or components of this.

Hereinafter, a method for molding and filling plastic containers according to the present invention will be described. In the station 1234 a preform is produced by injection molding, and in a sealing station 1235 closed and via a feeder 127a fed to the mold filling machine. The preform 123 can, for example, in connection with the 4 . 7 . 8th explained, be closed. The preform may also be prefilled with a first fluid, as associated with 5 has been described. Should the preform immediately after its production, as in connection with 6 has been described, are sterilized with disinfectant, so then if the preform is filled in advance with the first fluid, then the disinfectant atmosphere should be removed or the preform be rinsed. The preform 123 then get into the oven 127 and is heated there, in particular to a temperature of 75 ° C to 120 ° C. He then passes over the inlet star 128 in the respective molds 126 the treatment stations 125 and is at least partially formed hydraulically, ie, via incompressible fluid, and filled. In this case, according to a preferred embodiment, the preform during the forming process additionally with a stretching rod 1213 or filling tube 1213 be deformed in the axial direction. In this case, the stretch rod or the filling tube is preferably through the passage 1224 in the lock 1222 guided. The stretch rod can be designed so that the incompressible fluid for deformation by the stretch rod 1213 through into the preform 123 introduced, as for example in connection with the 9 and 10 was explained. As a result, the passage in the closure can be kept relatively small, since it then only has to have the dimensions of the stretch rod or of the filling tube. But it is also possible, the fluid or the final product not by the stretch rod or the filling tube in to fill the container. Then the diameter of the passage must be 124 larger than the diameter of the stretch rod 1213 , as in particular in the 12 is pictured. Thus, the fluid for forming over the annular gap 1240 between stretch rod 1213 and passage limit are guided. This method has the advantage that the seal between passage 1224 and stretch rod 1213 is not problematic, since due to the pressure balance during penetration of the fluid into the preform leakage of the fluid at the transition between passage and stretch rod is not possible.

When the finished plastic container 122 is filled with the final product, the stretch rod or the filling tube through the closure 22 pulled up. The passage 1224 is then there, as in connection with the 4a -E explained, either self-closing trained or a membrane, as in connection with 9 and 10 is thermally sealed or otherwise sealed as described.

Figure description ID 13

13 shows, for example, a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a treatment station in the form of a filling device. By vertical movement of the container to be filled 13302 will be due to seals 13330 pressure-tight, for example, cylindrical, vacuum chamber 13340 formed in which the container 13302 can be filled very quickly under negative pressure.

For this purpose, the now closed vacuum chamber 13340 evacuated to the desired target pressure and then filling product via the supply line 13335 filled with filling valve in the container. In the non-limiting development illustrated here, the vacuum chamber 13340 three connecting lines, via which the desired target pressure in the vacuum chamber can be adjusted. A first connection line 13350 connects the vacuum chamber to another vacuum chamber (not shown) to provide pressure equalization in the formed pair of vacuum regions comprising the respective vacuum chambers. A second connection line 13360a may be provided, for example, to the vacuum chamber 13340 as described above to connect the main memory of a central vacuum storage. A third connection line 13360b Finally, it can be provided to the vacuum chamber 13340 to connect with a recycling storage of the central vacuum storage. Further connecting lines, for example to further recycling stores and / or further vacuum chambers, are possible. Likewise, individual of the above-mentioned connecting lines can be omitted.

The connection lines 13350 . 13360a and 13360b are equipped with switchable valves (not shown), which preferably directly on the vacuum chamber 13340 , For example, on the wall of the vacuum chamber, are arranged. As a result, the dead space volume of the supply lines to the vacuum chamber can be reduced and a better volume ratio between the vacuum reservoir and the vacuum area realized. About a control and / or regulating unit (not shown), the valves can be individually and selectively opened and closed, so targeted pressure equalization between the vacuum chamber 13340 comprehensive vacuum area and another vacuum area or the central vacuum storage can be produced.

14 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device for vacuum recycling with pairs of vacuum areas and a central vacuum storage. According to this embodiment, each vacuum chamber comprises two connecting lines. The connection lines shown with dashed lines 13450 connect two each along the circumference of the rotary opposite vacuum chambers with each other, while the connecting lines shown in solid lines 13460 the vacuum chambers with a central vacuum storage in the form of a main memory 13470 connect. An arrow indicates the direction of rotation of the vacuum chambers.

As shown schematically by another arrow, a container to be treated becomes an open vacuum chamber 13440-4 passed, at which the ambient pressure is applied. After closing the vacuum chamber 13440-2 this will be via the connection line 13450 to the opposite vacuum chamber 13440-1 partially evacuated. Because in the vacuum chamber 13440-1 Even after performing the treatment step still a partial vacuum is present, the pressure in the vacuum chamber to be evacuated 13440-2 , as described in detail above, by pressure equalization with the vacuum chamber 13440-1 be lowered so that in the vacuum chamber 13440-1 This partial vacuum can be partially recycled.

Before this pressure equalization with the vacuum chamber 13440-2 However, first the connection line 13460 between the vacuum chamber to be relieved 13440-1 and the main memory 13470 of the central vacuum accumulator, since the pressure within the main memory 13470 according to the invention under the compensating pressure of the pair of vacuum chambers 13440-1 and 13440-2 lies. In this way, that can be done in the vacuum chamber 13440-1 present partial vacuum can be recycled more effectively in two steps than if only a pressure equalization between the vacuum chambers 13440-1 and 13440-2 would take place.

Accordingly, after pressure equalization between the vacuum chambers 13440-1 and 3440-2 a pressure equalization between the then already partially evacuated vacuum chamber 13440-2 and the main memory 13470 by opening the corresponding connection line 13460 respectively. As described above, the pressure is in the main memory 13470 set or the main memory 13470 connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) such that by the pressure equalization of the desired target pressure in the vacuum chamber 13440-2 is reached. The now partially relieved vacuum chamber 13440-3 is then opened to remove the treated container, as indicated by the arrow in the figure.

In the non-limiting embodiment shown here, the vacuum chambers are each connected to the opposite vacuum chamber, so that form separate pairs of vacuum chambers, which only via their connecting lines 13460 with the main memory 13470 indirectly in communication. However, alternative developments are conceivable in which each vacuum chamber is connected to more than one further vacuum chamber in order to form groups of vacuum chambers. Also, the pair does not necessarily have to consist of opposing vacuum chambers, as long as a vacuum chamber to be relieved can always be connected to a vacuum chamber to be evacuated. However, it is advantageous to provide separate connection lines 13460 with the main memory 13470 in that, by arranging the switchable valves on the vacuum chambers, the volume ratio of the vacuum accumulator to the vacuum region can be increased. Other than shown in the figure, the main memory 13470 be arranged symmetrically in particular with respect to the vacuum chambers, so that the respective connecting lines 13460 are the same length.

15 shows an alternative embodiment of a device for vacuum recycling with a main memory 13570 and a recycling store 13580 as part of the central vacuum reservoir. In the illustrated, non-limiting further development, no connecting lines between the vacuum chambers are provided. It is understood, however, that the embodiment shown, as described above, can be supplemented by such connecting lines for forming pairs of vacuum chambers.

In the illustrated embodiment, the central vacuum reservoir comprises a main memory 13570 and a recycling store 13580 , The main memory is preferred 13570 and the recycling store 13580 connected by a connecting line for controlled pressure equalization (not shown), via which the pressure in the recycling memory 13580 can be corrected. As described above, it is also possible to provide a series of recycling memories connected in series, their first recycling memory to the main memory 13570 connected is. Accordingly, there are more connecting lines between the recycling storage and the vacuum chambers. As explained above, a series of recycling stores can store a cascade of decreasing pressures in order to evacuate the vacuum chamber to be evacuated as efficiently as possible 13440-2 to enable.

As in 14 becomes a container to be treated in the open vacuum chamber 13440-4 introduced, which is then closed. The now closed vacuum chamber 13440-2 is via a first pressure equalization via a connection line shown with a dashed line 13560b with the recycling store 13580 partially evacuated, since according to the invention a higher pressure in the recycling memory 13580 exists as in the main memory 13570 , Subsequently, the partially evacuated vacuum chamber 13440-2 via a connecting line represented by a solid line 13560a with the main memory 13570 evacuated to the target pressure, wherein a vacuum pump connected to the main memory can be used.

Conversely, the evacuated vacuum chamber 13440-1 in a first unloading step via the connecting line 13560a with the main memory 13570 connected to the present in the vacuum chamber vacuum partially in the main memory, in which a lower pressure than in the recycling memory 13580 present, to recycle. Subsequently, the already partially relieved vacuum chamber 13440-1 over the connecting line 13560b with the recycling store 13580 connected to recycle another part of the partial vacuum. Finally, the vacuum chamber 13440-3 opened to remove the treated container. Again, the provision of separate connecting lines for each vacuum chamber is advantageous, the main memory 13570 and the recycling store 13580 in particular symmetrically with respect to the vacuum chambers can be arranged to the same length connecting lines 13560a respectively. 13560b to accomplish.

The illustrated developments allow the partial recycling of a relieved Vacuum chamber by the discharge takes place partially by pressure equalization with a central vacuum reservoir and / or a vacuum chamber to be evacuated. As a result, the energy requirement of a vacuum pump, which finally evacuates the vacuum chamber to be evacuated to the target pressure, can be reduced. Through multi-stage recycling, the recovery of the Vakuumpumpleistung can be improved, in particular, a large volume ratio between the vacuum reservoir and vacuum chamber is advantageous. By arranging the valves on the vacuum chambers, the volume of required connection lines can be almost completely added to the storage volume. A loop can elegantly allow a symmetrical distribution of the volumes of the connecting lines.

Description of the character ID 14

The 16 schematically shows a flow chart for media management of product, molding fluid and CIP medium, which is designed for a CIP (Cleaning-In-Place) and may include sanitizing or the like. Accordingly, the trained as a rotary distributor media distributor 1419 for example, a first track 1419a for product and a second track 1419b for a compressible molding fluid, such as blowing air or CO ₂ .

The product is in production via the supply line 1415 in the valve head 1411 guided and can by opening the valve 1415a controlled by the fluid nozzle 1412 in a container to be filled 1412 be directed. In between is a compressor 1425 with a valve 1425a and a piston 1425b to the product with a suitable filling pressure through the fluid nozzle 1412 in the container 142 to press.

The compressible molding fluid is produced in production by a central compressor 1426 over a filter 1427 , a lead 1428 and a three-way valve formed therein 1428a in the second lane 1419b fed. From this, the compressible molding fluid through a conduit 1429 and a three-way valve formed therein 1429a parallel on lines 1430 . 1431 and 1414 for pre-blowing at about 3-20 bar, for intermediate blowing at about 5-30 bar and for final blowing at 7-40 bar distributed. For controlled connection of the individual pressure stages valves are in the lines 1430a . 1431a . 1414a available. Schematically indicated are also associated pressure reducer 1430b . 1431B . 1414b as well as ring lines 1430c . 1431c and 1414c ,

A supply unit 1432 for storage and preparation of the product, for example by mixing, degassing or the like is also indicated schematically.

When cleaning and / or disinfecting product-leading components, a CIP medium flows out of the supply unit 1432 through the first track 1419a in the product line 1415 , by the compressor 1425 and the fluid nozzle 1412 , The CIP medium is made by means of a CIP cap 1433 for the fluid nozzle 1412 forwarded and passes through a CIP return line 1434 , the three-way valve 1429a and the line 1429 in the second lane 1419b , From there, the CIP medium is preferably over the line 2148 and the three-way valve 1428a back to the supply unit 1432 guided.

The CIP return line 1434 can be used for production with a valve 1434a close. Conversely, the fluid nozzle 1412 when cleaning and / or sterilizing with a shut-off valve 1435 separated from the lines and valves for the molding fluid. This prevents that aggressive CIP cleaning media can attack pneumatic valves, pressure reducers or the like.

To the CIP cap 1433 in front of the fluid nozzle 1412 sealing to place, this is on an actuating mechanism 1433a preferably pivotally mounted in a horizontal plane. The operating mechanism 1433a For example, includes a driver, the one stroke of the stretch rod 1413 in a pivoting movement / rotational movement of the actuating mechanism 1433a around a vertical axis. To do this, pull the stretching rod 1413 preferably in an upper operating position 1436 above the work area of the stretch rod 1413 in normal production mode. This is in the 16 indicated only schematically. At the operating position 1436 release the stretch rod 1413 a pivoting movement of the CIP cover 1433 until the fluid nozzle 1412 to seal it down during cleaning operation.

The stretching rods 1413 could be driven by separate electric motors, for example by ball screw or in the form of linear motors. This would be the operating position 1436 approach individually. Therefore, according to the invention is a separate drive for pivoting the CIP cap 1433 dispensable, in particular a separate curve control, which would have to be formed in the clean room area if necessary.

Below, further variants of the inventive guide of CIP cleaning medium are shown schematically, wherein reference numerals for functionally equivalent elements maintained and therefore will not be explained again.

According to 17 becomes the lower molding 146c the mold 146 about his working position when molding the container 142 lifted out and as a CIP cap for the fluid nozzle 12 used. Armed by arrows symbolized CIP medium can therefore through the valve head 1411 and the separate CIP return line 1434 and / or in the lower molding 146c trained channels 1437 be returned. The CIP medium could be below the treatment stations 145 in a common drip tray 1438 or the like, and the second track 1419b or the like. The media supply can generally according to the 16 respectively.

Furthermore, it would be conceivable, the lower moldings 146c each with its own drive form, in particular by means of electric motor, or the lower moldings 146c to lift by a common control curve. In the latter case, the lower molding 146c in an upper position on the fluid nozzle 1412 engage in a sealing manner.

According to 18 and 19 According to the invention in the cleaning with CIP medium, such as lye, acid or water, and lines for mold fluid, such as blowing air, water and / or product components involved, so lines that in the production of the forming of the preforms 143 to containers 142 assigned.

In particular, the media distributor 1419 , which requires a separate track for the return of CIP medium in conventional filling machines according to the invention in the production operation and the cleaning operation differently connected. This eliminates the need for a separate track for CIP feedback. This not only reduces the expenditure on equipment but also allows sections of CIP cleaning of lines for molding fluids.

According to 18 becomes a container 142 as a CIP cap for the fluid nozzle 1412 used, according to 19 a preform, on the other hand 143 , preforms 143 as CIP cap reduce the CIP media consumption, container 142 allow a deeper immersion of the stretch rod 1413 to at least partially clean it with. In the 18 becomes CIP medium through the supply line 1415 in the flow direction of the product in the valve head 1411 initiated and by the stretch rod 13 and the connected cable 1414 for molding fluid, such as blowing air, to the media distributor 1419 led back. The 19 clarifies that the flow direction of the CIP medium (see arrows) can also be reversed, ie contrary to the normal flow direction of the product. Preference is given to a CIP process with recycling of the CIP medium through the feed line 1414 for blown air or the like.

Preforms used as CIP cap 143 and containers 142 Run continuously in cleaning mode and are not connected to the outlet star 149 passed but after the CIP process discharged. However, separate CIP caps would be 1433 at the valve heads 1411 also usable.

The 20 shows a configuration according to the invention for pre-blowing a container 142 with CO ₂ or air and for filling and / or blown with product in the normal production, the 21 shows the same plant configuration in the CIP process. Accordingly, the three-way valve closes 1428a in production the connection with the bypass to the supply unit 1432 which is opened in the CIP process. Accordingly, we then connect to the compressor 1426 at the three-way valve 1428a closed. Again, a track is used to lead the CIP medium 1419b of the media distributor 1419 , which is used in the production plant for molding fluid.

The 22 is different from the 21 only by using a separate CIP cap 1433 for the fluid nozzle 1412 and through a bypass line 1439 to bypass the pressure reducer 1414b . 1430b . 1431B and the ring lines 1414c . 1430c . 1431c , These are additional three-way valves 1440 - 1443 available. This allows the incorporation of the lines used in the molding fluid production plant 1414 . 1430 . 1431 also with aggressive CIP media, the pressure reducers 1414b . 1430b . 1431B could hurt.

The 23 shows a further inventive embodiment of the mold filling machine 141 , in the further to the formation of the container 142 structures used in addition to the leadership of CIP media.

Accordingly, for example, a clean room enclosure 1444 around the treatment stations 145 used for collecting and collecting CIP medium. CIP medium can also be through one in the main shaft 1445 the treatment stations 145 existing channel 1446 lead, in particular lead back.

For this purpose, as well as a Heißhaltekanal 1447 used for the product in CIP operation. A CIP cap is expediently swiveled in and, via an already existing rotary feedthrough, the CIP medium for a certain time via the heat exchanger and the product reservoir 1457 while driving in a circle until the product paths have been sufficiently cleaned.

When production is interrupted, the hot holding channel 1447 be used to the product and product-contacting components, such as the blow-filling valve 1450 to keep at temperature. Thus, it can be ensured at the start of production and when starting from production interruption, already the first containers can be produced with sufficient quality.

The mold filling machine according to the invention and the described CIP processes could be modified and / or combined as desired in the context of the described embodiments in a technically meaningful manner.

Description of the character ID 15

24 shows a side view of the treatment station 5 , In the figure, a valve head 1511 and the hub 1511a the valve unit with respect to the mold 6 shown. The mold 6 includes the moldings 156a to 156c , The mold is formed by a, in particular multi-part, mold carrier 1510 held. The mold is opened to insert the plastic preforms and to remove the plastic containers (as indicated by the arrows in FIG 24 indicated) and closed for molding and filling. In addition, the figure shows a fluid or blowing nozzle 1512 , A stretch rod 1513 in that the plastic preform is stretched to the desired length (corresponding to the height of the finished plastic container) by being inserted into the plastic preform to the bottom of the mold, and the stroke of the stretching rod relative to the valve unit 1513a are also in 24 displayed. The stretch rod includes openings 1513b for the supply and / or extraction of the molding fluid or the product. The supply line for the molding fluid 1514 and the supply line for the product 1515 can each optionally be provided with a valve (not shown here). The figure shows various suction lines, each of which may optionally include a valve, namely the hydraulic suction line for the molding fluid 1516 , the pneumatic suction line for the interior of the container when filling 1517 and the pneumatic suction line for the mold or the outside of the container during filling 1518 , The treatment station shown here further comprises a media distributor 1519 For example, a common rotary distributor for the treatment stations, and a compressor 1520 for the molding fluid. The figure also shows an adjusting device 1530 for the stretch rod with which the hub 1513a and thus also the insertion depth of the stretch rod is adjusted. In addition, an optionally provided control and / or regulating device 1528 shown with the actuator via the data link 1531 connected is. In addition, an optional provided level gauge 1529 drawn with the control and / or regulating device via the data connection 1532 connected is.

In the 25 to 28 the case is shown in which the plastic container 152 was already formed using the stretch rod and the molding fluid used for molding was removed from the plastic container. In this case, the stretch rod was used for filling and stretching the molding fluid. It makes sense to use these then for filling, since then not only the stretch rod removed and then a filler neck must be introduced.

The 25 to 27 represent different consecutive times of an embodiment of the method. 28 represents a time after completion of the method according to the invention, in which the stretch rod has been removed from the container. In the method according to the invention, the stretch rod 1513 is introduced to stretch the preform to the bottom of the mold and remains there after molding and is used to fill the product 1521 used. The insertion depth 1523 The stretch rod is reduced while the fill level 1526 increases. Here, the insertion depth of the stretch rod is adjusted automatically by the adjusting device, not shown here, controlled by a control device also not shown here. The shape of the plastic container 152 , the amount of product to be filled and the filling speed are predetermined as parameters in a control device (also not shown here), so that the time-dependent setting of the insertion depth can take place without a level gauge. In this case, the stretching rod is immersed in the product throughout the filling process.

Alternatively, a control device can also control the insertion depth based on measured values of the filling level. The stretch rod does not have to be immersed in the product during the entire filling process. The method can also be done with a filler neck instead of the stretch rod, especially if it could be dispensed already during molding on a stretch rod.

In 25 is a plastic container 152 shown in the form of an already formed bottle in which the stretching rod 1513 is introduced to the bottom of the bottle. The insertion depth entered here 1523 The stretching rod results from the distance between the upper edge of the bottle 1533 and the lower edge of the stretch rod 1534 , line 1526 indicates the actual level of the product in the bottle. line 1527 indicates the maximum permissible level and line 1535 the nominal level. There is height difference 1536 between the maximum permissible level 1527 and the desired level 1535 ,

In 26 is the stretch rod 1513 adjusted so that their depth of insertion 1534 less than in 325 , Moreover, compared to 25 a larger amount of the product filled, so the actual level 1526 has risen, but still below the nominal level 1535 lies.

In 27 is the insertion depth 1534 the stretch rod 1513 even lower than in the 25 and 26 , In addition, the actual level is 1526 now above the nominal level 1535 but is still below the maximum permissible level 1527 ,

In 28 is a time (no longer part of the process according to the invention) after the end of the filling process and after removal of the stretching rod 1513 shown here, the product here is the desired level 1535 Has. So remains in the range with the height 1536 the desired headspace volume 1525 ,

The principle described above is similarly applicable to a further embodiment, namely the case that the product is used for molding the plastic container, in which case the time-dependent shape and the time-dependent volume of the container of the amount of supplied product and the pressure with which the product is supplied, depend. In order for the container to be completely formed, it is advantageous if the predetermined maximum permissible fill level lies in the already preformed neck region of the container so that the product forms the entire shoulder region of the bottle. 29 shows a time of such a method with the same reference numerals as in the previous figures.

In 30 is an enlarged view of the bottle neck into which a filler neck 1522 is shown. In this view, the molding and filling process is completed. The situation shown here also applies to the end of both methods described above, here instead of the filler neck, the stretch rod is inserted into the plastic container. The volume 1524 which is displaced in the product through the filler neck, corresponds to the predetermined target headspace volume 1525 , It should be noted that the filler neck is hollow inside and thus only displace product its walls. The insertion depth 1534 the filler neck can already during the entire filling process of the insertion depth in 29 have been reduced or reduced during the filling process from an originally larger filling depth.

It is understood that in the embodiments described above mentioned features are not limited to these specific combinations and are also possible in any other combinations.

Figure description ID 16 (17 is without drawings)

31 shows roughly schematically a plan view of a mold filling machine, which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. The mold filling machine has a feed for preforms 163 on, and preferably a furnace 167 in which the preforms are heated to a temperature of 80-110 ° C, for example by means of infrared radiation or microwave. While the microwave oven is preferably a rotary machine, the preforms in the infrared oven are transported in a straight line at least part of the distance. Next, the mold filling machine has an inlet star 168 , as well as a carousel 164 on. The machine is designed as a rotary, in particular as a wheel, and may have different stations. With 165 are designated the respective treatment stations, each having a hollow shape 6 include, for hydraulic molding of the preforms 163 , In particular, a plurality of forming and filling stations is provided, which are arranged in particular on the outer circumference of a continuously rotating rotary traveler. The rotator rotates in particular about a vertical axis whose extension cuts the center of the earth.

In particular, the stations are all arranged at equidistant intervals from each other. In particular, the stations have cavities within which the containers are expanded against the inner walls of the cavity so that the finished containers receive the (negative) shape of the inner walls of the cavity. The machine continues to have an outlet star 169 on and a transport device through which the finished container 162 can be removed. As in 31 In addition, according to the present invention, a manufacturing device of the preforms can be shown 4 and a closing device 1626 be provided for the preforms. These two facilities 164 . 1626 however, they can be placed in a different location. The basic structure corresponds to the construction of stretch blow molding machines, however, according to the present invention, the preform can be formed, inter alia hydraulically, ie with a non-compressible fluid under pressure (eg below 3 to 25 bar) and at the same time in the mold 166 can be filled.

32 shows roughly schematically a refill 1621 , The refill device 1621 has, for example, a filling nozzle 1623 on, over which the plastic container 162 can be filled in a known manner. The plastic container 162 For example, at its flange via a bracket 1629 be held. The level measurement is advantageously carried out laterally or from above. In 32 is a level sensor 1624 provided, the side in an area in which the plastic container 162 is arranged, is mounted. This level sensor is, for example, an optical sensor which transmits an optical signal via a transmitter 1624a and at the receiver 1624b receives a signal that is different when product in this Area is present or if no product is present. A corresponding measuring method is just one example. Various measuring methods for level control are suitable. For example, a level can be determined by a measurement from above into the bottleneck, for example by means of laser triangulation, wherein the distance from the sensor to the liquid surface can be determined, resulting in the height or the level. But also conductivity measurements by means of probe, for example, a pair of electrodes on an elongated probe, which is immersed in the container, is arranged, and as soon as a certain level is reached, current flows between the electrodes.

Although the level sensor can be designed so that it determines the absolute height of the level, but it is sufficient if the level sensor 1624 can determine whether the level has a certain height or at least a certain height. This is for example in 32 the sensor is arranged at the minimum filling height h ₂ . A manually or motor-operated height adjustment of the sensor advantageously allows the manual or automatic adjustment of the minimum filling height h2 when changing containers for different container sizes and volumes (not shown).

The respective sensor is, such. B. off 32 indicates, via a signal line with the control / regulating device 1625 connected and sends a corresponding measurement signal S1 to the control / regulating device 1625 , In response to this signal, the controller sends a signal S2 to the refill device 1621 which then product via the filling nozzle 1623 in the plastic container 162 replenished.

Advantageously, the filling level is regulated to a height h2. The regulation to a certain height h ₂ not only brings the advantage that the legally required minimum filling quantity is achieved in any case, but also brings with it the advantage that a uniform appearance of the bottles is given a constant level, no matter how dimensionally stable the containers are formed by the process.

33 shows a corresponding control loop with a controller 1625 which compares the measured value h ₁ or the corresponding measuring signal S1 with a setpoint h ₂ . As an actuator is the refill 1621 provided in dependence on the measured value s1 a corresponding amount in the plastic container 162 replenished. A level sensor 1624 as a measuring element can the level in the plastic container 2 capture or at least detect whether the target level h2 has already been reached or not. 34 shows a block diagram for a corresponding regulation. The plastic containers 162 were filled with product via the mold filling machine and have a filling height h ₁ . The level sensor 1624 detects whether h _{1 is} less than h ₂ . In general, h _{1 will be} less than H ₂ because either product is swapped or advantageously the height h _{1 has} already been chosen lower than h ₂ in advance in order to prevent contamination in the mold filling machine. A relatively low fill level h ₁ can be achieved if, for example, a stretch rod 1613 , which dips into the plastic container to be formed during the mechanical shaping and filling, has the largest possible volume, such that when the stretching rod is pulled out after filling, a large head volume remains. It is thus determined that h _{1 is} less than h ₂ , as for example in 31b is shown, which represents the filling level as a function of time. The level sensor 1624 then send, like out 31a indicates a corresponding signal s1 to the control / regulating device 1625 , The controller sends a signal S2 as off 31c which is also a signal timing diagram, to the refill facility 1621 , The level in the plastic container 162 increases continuously. For example, if the level is the height of the sensor 1624 , or reaches the level h ₂ , the signal S1 changes accordingly and the control / regulating device sends a corresponding signal S2 to the refilling device 1621 , which then stops the filling process.

The regulation to a certain height is particularly preferable.

However, it is also possible to perform a level correction in other ways, as related to 35 is explained. In this case, the level h _{1 is} measured, the corresponding plastic container 162 having. Since the shape of the bottle and the desired filling level, ie the necessary minimum height, are known, it is possible to determine or calculate an amount or a specific volume V _{2 in} order to have at least the filling level h ₂ . Corresponding post-dosing values for values h1 can also be stored in the corresponding control / regulating device. An appropriate amount is then added. It can also be added slightly more but only so much that the bottle can not overflow.

In 36 is shown another way of level correction. The plastic container 162 is filled in the mold filling machine to a height h ₁ . The height is already set in advance so that z. B. (for a standard filled according to the German regulation for prepackages 0.5 liter bottle with a prescribed volume of at least 485 ml) V ₁ maximum = 485 ml and (V ₁ + V ₂ ) is at least 485 ml, where V ₁ the filled filling quantity in the mold of the mold filling machine and V _{2 is} the metered filling quantity.

Then it is about the refill 1621 a corresponding volume V _{2 is} metered in, such that the filling level is at least h ₂ or the filling volume corresponds at least to the legally prescribed minimum filling volume.

Description of the character ID 18

37 For example, schematically shows a valve assembly for molding a container in two steps. The valve block comprises in this development, a first supply line 18314 for feeding a medium to the filling nozzle (not shown) and thus into the preform 18303 , for partial molding of the preform 18303 and a second supply line 18315 for feeding the filling product into the container to be formed 18302 , Both the medium and the filling product are filled under pressure into the preform or the container in order to stretch the walls of the container to be formed outwards in the direction of the inner wall of the hollow mold (not shown). In this case, a first part of this molding process by opening the valve 18324 in the first supply line 18314 carried out while the remaining molding of the container to its final shape by opening the valve 18325 in the second supply line 18315 he follows. The two phases of the molding are shown in the figure with reference to the arrows on the left or right side of the figure. The first step of molding shown on the left thus corresponds to a "pre-blowing" of the preform onto an intermediate mold which, for example, has at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, of the final longitudinal stretch of the preform. The "pre-blowing" can be supported by a stretch rod, not shown here.

In particular, the first step can be carried out with a compressed gas, for example an inert gas or CO ₂ , as the medium, so that premature cooling of the plastic to be stretched below its crystallization temperature can be prevented. Subsequently, by filling relatively cool filling product under pressure, both the rest of the molding and the cooling of the container can be carried out. Thus, this method is particularly suitable for carbonated drinks, which should be filled as cold as possible in order to avoid the decontamination of the dissolved carbonic acid. To escape the gas during filling of the filling product can serve the above-mentioned hollowed stretch rod, which is thereby withdrawn accordingly. Alternatively, a special blowing nozzle may be used with a valve which is opened to escape the gas. Since the container is only partially formed with compressed gas, the energy required for providing the gas decreases. In addition, a relatively cool filling product can be "blown" so that the heat requirement is lower compared to the complete molding with warm filling product (see below).

In an alternative development, the medium is the filling product with a first, relatively high temperature, which can be selected accordingly, in order to avoid the crystallization of the plastic during stretching. Likewise, another filling product can be filled with this first temperature, especially if it is mixed drinks. Since only the first part of the molding takes place with the hot filling product as the medium, the mixing temperature after filling of the cold filling product by the second supply line 18315 be reduced compared to the exclusive molding with hot filling product, so that a subsequent cooling device can be designed with less power or eliminated.

In both variants can be dispensed by filling the filling product with low temperature to the remaining molding on a separate cooling for the mold, since the container is already cooled by the filled product.

Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to provide an additional separate cooling for the mold or the container. This can either be done directly in the mold, for example by cooling the bottom mold or in the context of the further transport route to the mold filling machine. For example, nozzles are provided there, which act on the container from below with cold water or air.

The 4a 5c show various embodiments of the valve block for forming a container in two steps, in particular for the "pre-blowing" with hot filling product and "pre-blowing" with cold filling product.

4a shows a first variant in which the first supply line 18414 and the second supply line 18415 each with its own pressure chamber 18444 respectively. 18445 feature. The pressure chambers shown here represent a possibility by movement of a corresponding reciprocating piston 18454 respectively. 18455 a desired pressure in one in the container 18402 introduced fluid, in particular the substantially liquid filling product to build. For this purpose, first the respective downstream valve 18424 respectively. 18425 closed to the respective pressure chamber by opening the respective upstream valve 18434 respectively. 18435 to fill up to a predetermined level. The level is thereby through the end position of the reciprocating piston 18454 respectively. 18455 set when filling the pressure chamber, so that with a single pressure chamber different dosing volumes can be adjusted. The reciprocating can do this by means of a control and / or Control device and a servo motor are moved accordingly. After filling the pressure chamber, the respective inlet valve 18434 respectively. 18435 closed and the respective outlet valve 18424 respectively. 18425 open. By lowering the reciprocating piston, the pressure chamber is then through the common filling channel 18430 in the container 18402 emptied. Since the mouth of the container pressure-tight with the filling channel 18430 is connected, the container or the preform can be stretched and formed by the pressure built up.

The control and / or regulating device (not shown) controls the opening and closing of the valves and the movement of the reciprocating piston. Normally, only one of the intake valves is always 18424 and 18425 open. However, in mixed drinks, both inlet valves may be open simultaneously to allow different fill products through the inlet channel 18430 to fill in the container.

The figure also shows a heating device 18440 in the form of a water heater for heating by the supply line 18414 promoted filling product to the first temperature described above. This can be chosen as described so that the plastic can be stretched without crystallization. It is understood that the heater 18440 also elsewhere, for example at the pressure chamber 18444 , may be appropriate. Likewise, the second supply line 18415 have a stand-alone heating device to set the temperature of the filling product in the second supply line targeted. The heating devices can be designed to be controllable and controlled or regulated by the control and / or regulating device.

4b shows an alternative variant to the in 4a illustrated training. Unlike in 4a is in 4b only a common pressure chamber 18446 with reciprocating piston 456 for that from the first supply line 18414 fed medium and from the second supply line 18415 supplied filling product provided. The supply of the medium or the filling product is as above via the inlet valves 18434 respectively. 18435 regulated. Since only one pressure chamber is provided, only one outlet valve is provided 18426 to the filling channel 18430 needed. The regulation of the valves and the reciprocating piston corresponds to the development of 38a and therefore will not be described repeatedly here. Also in this development is a mixing of filling products, in this case in the pressure chamber 18446 , possible. Again, the first supply line has a heater 18440 , Corresponding developments as in 38a are also conceivable here.

In the 38c variant shown differs from the developments of 38a and 38b inasmuch as now a single supply line 18450 intended for a single filling product. Accordingly, again only one pressure chamber 18446 with reciprocating piston 18456 provided, whose inlet and outlet via controllable valves 18436 and 18426 be managed. Along the filling channel 18430 is now a heater 18441 provided, which is activated by the control and / or regulating device only if for "pre-blowing" with hot filling the product pressed through the channel filling product to be heated to the first temperature. It is understood that the heater also at the pressure chamber 18446 can be arranged, for example, only the first batch of the filling product for "pre-blowing" of the container 18402 heated to the first temperature. The rest of the molding of the container then takes place with deactivated heater and filling product with the second, lower temperature.

Further embodiments, for example with continuous pressure generators, such as pumps, and / or additional supply or suction lines are conceivable, as long as a molding of the container in at least two steps, in particular with fluids of different temperatures, is possible.

The first temperature of the "pre-bubble" filling product can be adjusted by controlling the heating power of the heating device as a function of the temperature of the preform as it exits the oven. In this case, the temperature of the preform can be measured with a temperature probe, for example in the form of a pyrometer, at the outlet of the furnace. The first temperature can be chosen in particular such that it is equal to the average surface temperature of the preform. This does not overly affect the preform temperature profile previously applied in the oven, while the plastic can still be "quenched" by the second step of filling a cold fill product, as in the normal blow process by contact with the blow mold wall. Again, the method is particularly advantageous for CO ₂ -containing beverages, which are preferably filled cold, in order to obtain a good solubility of CO ₂ in the product.

The 39a 3-b show snapshots of a method of mold-filling a container in which the liquid used for molding at the first (hotter) temperature is largely withdrawn from the formed container. For this purpose, the mold filling machine has a pressure chamber 18547 that about moving a reciprocating piston 18554 can be pressurized. The reciprocating piston 18554 For example, it can be pulled out of the pressure chamber by means of a servomotor and pushed back into it, so that a liquid is present 18544 through the feed 18514 in the pressure chamber 18547 sucked into it and pressed out of it. At the liquid 18544 it may in particular be the filling product which is connected to a heating device (not shown) on the pressure chamber 18547 or the supply line 18514 is heated to the first temperature. According to the in the 39a -K process is heated to the first temperature liquid for complete molding of the preform 18502 used to the final form. Unlike in the figures described above, however, the liquid used for this purpose is almost completely removed again from the finished molded container and for forming the next container in the pressure chamber 18547 saved. Thus, the supply line acts 18514 at the same time as a suction line for withdrawing the liquid from the finished molded container. Because doing a mixing of the liquid 18544 with the liquid replacing the withdrawn liquid 18575 With a lower temperature can not be completely avoided, the liquid must 18544 after retraction, re-heat to the first temperature.

The supply or suction line 18514 opens into the linearly movable and hollow-bored stretching rod 8513 , In 39a is the stretch rod 18513 shown in the fully retracted starting position. The stretching rod 18513 can relative to the valve head (below the pressure chamber 18547 ). Next to the feed line 18514 or stretch rod 18513 become a second supply line through the valve head 18515 for the cool filling product 18575 at the second temperature and an outlet line 18527 to escape gas from the preform or container 18502 in the mouth area 18532 led the preform. The lower part of the valve head placed on the mouth region may in this case comprise corresponding filling nozzles (not shown here). The feed line 18515 connects in the exemplary embodiment shown here a reservoir 18565 for the cool filling product 18575 with the valve head. The supply of the filling product 18575 with the second temperature is via a controllable valve 18525 regulated. Continue in the outlet line 18527 with a controllable valve 18528 provided to build pressure in the preform with the valve closed.

39a shows the mold filling machine with open mold 18506a -C, in which, however, already a preform 502a was introduced. The valves 18525 and 18528 are closed and the reciprocating piston 18554 is in the maximum retracted position, so that the entire amount of liquid 18544 for molding the container in the pressure chamber 18547 located. Likewise, there is the stretch rod 18513 in the maximum retracted position.

In 39b was the mold by moving the moldings together 18506a -C closed and the mouth area 18532 of the preform 18502b pressed against a locking ring of the valve head, so that the mold on the one hand forms a pressure-tight closed cavity and the mouth of the preform 18502b on the other hand pressure-sealed with the valve head. Material exchange, whether gaseous or liquid, with the interior of the preform thus takes place exclusively over the lines shown 18514 . 18515 and 18527 instead of.

39c shows a phase in which the preform 18502c by extending the stretch rod 18513 to the bottom shape 18506c was stretched out, but not yet with the liquid 18544 was filled. This happens in 39d by lowering the reciprocating piston 18554 in the pressure chamber 18547 , That of the liquid 18544 from the preform 18502d displaced gas can be opened by opening the valve 18528 through the outlet pipe 18527 escape. It is understood that the filling of the liquid 18544 also during the stretching of the preform 18502c can start. Once all the gas has escaped from the preform, the valve becomes 18528 closed again to allow building up of a pressure in the preform. This is done by further lowering the reciprocating piston 18554 in the pressure chamber 18547 , Due to the hydraulic pressure thus generated, the preform expands 18502e until he like in 39f shown reached the final shape of the plastic container. In this phase is the now fully formed container 18502f on the inner wall of the mold 18506a -C and is completely with the liquid 18544 filled. Because the filled liquid 18544 has a temperature of the preform corresponding, relatively high temperature, for example, white fracture or turbidity of PET material can be avoided during molding.

After the container 18502g is fully formed, the hot liquid by pulling out the reciprocating piston 18554 from the pressure chamber 18547 through the stretch rod 18513 and the supply line 18514 sucked out of the container again. At the same time the valve 18525 the supply line 18515 for the cold filling product 18575 opened, so that the liquid sucked out is replaced by filling product. 39g shows a moment in which already a part of the liquid 18544 through the filling product 18575 was replaced. In the vertical arrangement shown here, it is advantageous, the stretch rod 18513 to retract the liquid in the fully extended position, so that cold filling product is filled from above and hot liquid from below is sucked out. Due to the thermal buoyancy, this can cause a rapid mixing of one at the bottom of the container 18502h remaining residue of the hot liquid can be achieved with the filled cold filling product, so that the inner wall of the container can be cooled uniformly and quickly. The filling product 18575 can additionally within the reservoir 18565 be put under pressure.

In 39i eventually became the further supply of cold filling product 18575 by closing the valve 18525 stopped, at the same time the valve 18528 the outlet pipe 18527 was opened. By pulling back the stretch rod 18513 in the starting position now decreases the level in the container 18502i , so that the resulting headspace by gas, which through the outlet 18527 penetrates, is filled. For oxygen-sensitive beverages such as beer, this gas can be an inert gas or CO ₂ . Subsequently, the valve 18528 closed again. In addition, the in the pressure chamber 18547 located liquid 18544 heated again to the first temperature.

In 39k finally, the moldings 18506a -C to remove the fully formed and filled container 18502k moved apart. This completes the cycle and can begin again with another preform. With a suitable modification of the mold filling machine, in particular by arranging the valve head in a pressure-tightly closed with the mold chamber, a capper can be additionally provided as part of the mold filling machine to close the filled containers under pressure. This can prevent the release of CO ₂ from carbonated drinks.

With the described method, plastic containers can be formed hot and cooled quickly, so that stress whitening and turbidity in the material can be avoided. By almost completely retracting the liquid used for molding in the heated pressure chamber and replacing the liquid withdrawn by the filled cold product, the heat energy of the molding liquid can be largely preserved for the next molding process. In addition, eliminates the cooling of the filled container and the shape, as this is done by the filled cold product. The solidified container wall is thus dimensionally stable already upon removal of the container from the mold filling machine and can be easily transported and treated. Since it is filled with cold product, the method is particularly suitable for carbonated and heat-sensitive drinks. In addition, since almost the entire mold liquid is recovered, can be used as a molding liquid also, sterile due to the high temperature, water, if the formulation of the product allows a little admixture of water. If necessary, the water used for shaping can be supplemented in the pressure chamber.

Figure description ID 19

In addition shows 40 a possible embodiment in which the preform 19220 in the shape 19221 is positioned for molding. The molding process may have already begun or the preform may still be in its unaltered form. Usually, the preforms are heated by the mold before being picked up so that the preforms can be drawn or formed. For this purpose, the material used, such as PET, must be heated to a temperature at which it is at least partially fluid, in any case deformable.

The local cooling of certain areas of the preform or in-molding container is via the means 19224 causes the appropriately selected medium to cool these areas in the preform 19220 initiates. In the in 40 In the embodiment shown, the means is not embedded in the preform but over the opening of the preform 19220 arranged. Here, a nozzle may be provided which distributes the medium according to the illustrated arrow direction in the preform. In this case, for example, it can also be provided that the medium is introduced into the preform in such a way that it already runs down from the opening on the inner walls of the preform. As a result, the cooling in the upper part of the preform is the strongest. However, a targeted distribution of the cooling medium or the achievement of a maximum cooling power farther away from the opening, difficult with this embodiment, since the exit angle of the cooling medium only in an area determined by the size of the opening of the preform and the distance of the nozzle to the opening can be varied.

In the embodiment according to 41 is therefore provided that the means of local cooling 19224 an insertable into the preform or container lance 19225 includes. This lance may comprise at its periphery a plurality of openings or nozzles which are arranged such that they targeted at the medium used for local cooling at locations on the inside of the container or preform 19220 can muster. For this purpose, the nozzles can be arranged at a certain distance from each other and / or the discharge angle of the medium can be adjusted by a suitable choice of the nozzle shape or nozzle orientation. Likewise, the discharge of the cooling medium from the individual nozzles can be controlled in time. This can be the Flow and cooling capacity are controlled. Thus, the impact point on the inside of the preform or container can be precisely determined.

It is also advantageous if the lance 19325 is formed movable with respect to the preform. For example, it may be provided that the lance can be moved up and down in the preform. Also a rotation of the lance 19325 can be provided. As a result of the up and down movement, strips in the longitudinal direction of the preform or of the container, for example, can be locally cooled in a targeted manner, so that corrugations are formed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container in the finally formed container. By rotating the lance and the nozzles provided, a stripe pattern transverse to the longitudinal axis of the preform can be created by cooling these areas during molding. Also combinations of rotation and up and down movements are conceivable, which can lead to irregular stripe patterns.

Since the application of a liquid medium, in contrast to local cooling with air, for example, can be done with high accuracy, a variety of different patterns can be realized by appropriate choice of the application pressure and / or the temperature of the medium used at different points of impact. For example, on one side of the preform, low temperature media and on another side of the preform, higher temperature media may be distributed on the inside of the preform so that the molded container expands less on the cooler side than on the warmer side. Even small dot patterns with different dot depths can be achieved in this way. It is also possible to use a longer cooling time for individual points in the local cooling to bring these areas to a lower temperature than the other cooled areas.

Furthermore, the flow behavior of the liquid can be used together with its, compared to gases, high cooling capacity, in order to realize also by the flowing down of the liquid on the inner wall of the preform a certain cooling of individual areas. Since the liquid heats up on the inside of the preform as it gradually runs down, a temperature gradient can be impressed into the container material at the same time, which manifests itself during molding in different degrees of stretching of these regions.

In the 41 illustrated lance can either be introduced as a separate unit in the not yet fully formed container or it can be this lance used to stretch the preform stretch rod. If the stretch rod is used to apply the local cooling medium to the specific areas of the preform, this can be done either before stretching or during drawing. If the local cooling before stretching, the stretch rod is first retracted to a predetermined position in the preform and optionally rotated to realize the local cooling of the specific areas. Thereafter, the supply of medium is suspended and the stretch rod is advanced into the mold to stretch the preform 19221 retracted.

Also multi-stage local cooling with the stretch rod is conceivable. Thus, at various times before and during the molding cooling medium from the / the nozzles of the stretch rod are applied to the container. It is particularly advantageous if, when using the stretch rod or a lance for local cooling of the container, the cooling takes place only in the case of an already partially formed container. Thus, for example, the local cooling can also take place in a container that is already shaped to 50 or 70% of the target size. Since the elongation of the material in a nearly completely formed container to complete formation is less than the stretching of the material from the preform to the molded container, local cooling during the molding process, the risk of damage to the preform or container and in particular the formation of Cracks in the container wall due to large temperature differences and stresses in the material can be reduced.

41 shows possible embodiments of the nozzle, as in the means for introducing the medium according to 40 but can also be provided as they are on the lance or stretch rod according to the embodiment in 41 can be arranged. While in principle a nozzle having an opening through which the medium used for local cooling can be passed may be used, it may be advantageous to use certain nozzles provided with additional structures.

According to 42a For example, it may be provided that the nozzle opening 19441 a continuous or at least partially extending into the opening web 19441 ' comprises, for example, from one side of the nozzle opening and the nozzle opening limiting surface. The material passed through the nozzle is then split into two nearly semicircular jets. This can be achieved, for example, by the bridge 19441 ' is designed as a cuboid. It can get into the nozzle (perpendicular to the drawing plane), for example, several millimeters, but also one to several centimeters. The further the bridge or the structure 19441 extending into the nozzle, the more similar the jet of media discharged from the nozzle becomes 42a be shown surface of the openings in the nozzle. This can be partly undesirable. In addition, a deflection of the medium may be provided when passing through the nozzle, so that a certain exit angle is realized. This may be the shape of the structure 19441 ' or of the web perpendicular to the plane of the drawing are designed differently depending on the purpose. For example, the bridge 19441 ' have a rectangular base as shown here and be formed as a half-cylinder or solid cylinder. Also, the bridge can 19441 ' be designed as a prism whose tip points out of the plane. In the 42d -F different embodiments are shown for this purpose.

42b shows a further embodiment in which the nozzle 19442 with a triangular inner structure 19442 ' is provided so that the guided through the nozzle medium can emerge at three openings. Also this structure 19442 ' can be analogous to those in 42d - 42f illustrated embodiments have different three-dimensional implementations. For example, it can be designed as a three-sided pyramid.

42c shows a further embodiment in which the nozzle 19443 provided with a diaphragm, in which several openings 19443 ' are present for discharging the medium. This embodiment is particularly suitable for providing selective local cooling, so that the molded container has smaller or larger depressions. The openings 19443 ' can be the same size or different sizes, so that different sized surfaces can be locally cooled on the surface of the preform.

The embodiment of the 42a -C can also be combined to create more complicated local cooling patterns. The embodiments herein are not limiting. Other forms are conceivable.

42d shows the bridge according to 42a in perspective view. In this embodiment, the web is 19441 ' designed as a cuboid. According to 42e can the jetty 19441 '' also have a rectangular base, but be designed as a conical section (for example, half cone) or as a section of a cone with elliptical base with the half-axes e and 2d. This embodiment of the web 42a provides a continuous flow apart of the originally introduced into the nozzle media jet and splits it into two beams. Uncontrolled spraying may occur due to the continuous splitting of the jets with a corresponding streamlined structure of the jetty, as shown in FIG 42e is shown avoided. In 42f the bridge is not symmetrical as in the 42d and 42e but bevelled on one side, while on the other side has a surface perpendicular to the base. Also combinations of the embodiments according to 42d to 42f are conceivable. Likewise, these embodiments of the web can 42a also on the embodiments of the structures in 42b and 42c be applied.

It is also advantageous if the structure within the nozzles, as for example in 42a to 42c is shown, is movable. It can thus be provided that these structures are rotatable in the illustrated plane of the drawing. In addition, it can be provided that the structures are tiltable perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Thus, the exit angle of the medium can be actively influenced and controlled to realize a specific pattern in the cooling and thus impress on the preform or the surface of the container.

Description of the character ID 20

43 shows a possible embodiment of the invention, in which the container 20220 shown here only schematically. He is still in a form of a form filling station, not shown here 20206 , The container is up to the level 20222 filled with liquid. In the overhead area 20221 there is no liquid. However, after filling, undesirable gas, such as air, may remain. To displace these, by means of a nozzle 20223 a gas is introduced into the head area. For this purpose, the nozzle, for example, on a lance 20225 be arranged, which is retractable into the head area of the filled container, to such an extent that it does not touch the liquid level. With the nozzle positioned in the head region of the container, the purge gas, such as CO ₂ , is expelled from the nozzle to displace the remaining gas.

A more detailed view of one embodiment of the nozzle is on the right in FIG 43 shown. For example, the nozzle may have an opening 20235 at the bottom and additional openings 20231 - 20234 on the sides. The term "nozzle" is to be understood as meaning the entire arrangement of openings at the lower end of the lance.

The lance 20225 or the nozzle 20223 can at a part of the mold filling station 20224 be attached, in which, for example, a stretch rod for stretching the preform to the molded container and / or a filling or filling valve can be arranged. So that the remaining gas can flow out of the head area, can the opening of the container 20220 be open to the environment. But this is especially true when pulling out the lance again 20225 from the head area 20221 the container, the surrounding air can penetrate back into the head area, it may be necessary in this embodiment, even during the extraction of the lance 20225 Purge gas from the nozzle 20223 in the head area or in the vicinity of the head area, so that outside air coming from outside does not penetrate into the head area.

Alternatively, according to the embodiment in FIG 44 Also, the head portion of the container can be closed by the surrounding air. This can be a part 20226 (Closing device) of the mold filling station are moved from above the opening area of the container, so that the opening area is separated from the environment. This temporary closing of the opening of the container 20220 is preferably such that the opening is airtight separated from the environment. After this closing is through the nozzle 20224 also in this embodiment optionally on a lance 20225 can be arranged purge gas in the head area 20221 the container passed to the remaining gas from the head area 20221 to displace.

So that the remaining gas in the head area can escape from the head area, it is provided that in the closure part 20226 either an additional trigger or an additional vent 20340 is provided, through which the remaining gas can flow or the lance can have two separate line paths, wherein the purge gas is passed through the one conduction path and the other line in the head area 20221 remaining gas can flow out of the head area. These conduction paths can be arranged concentrically with one another, but can also lie next to one another.

In order to achieve the best possible deduction of the remaining gas in the head, it can be provided that the lance on only one nozzle 20224 at the lower end but has a lot of openings on the side surface similar to in 43 shown so that the remaining gas can escape through them.

It is particularly advantageous if the lance 20225 is not designed as an additional component but has the stretch rod commonly used for forming the container via a corresponding nozzle for introducing the purge gas. The stretching rod can then be moved out of the container, for example, after the container has been formed and before the product is introduced into the container, so that the product can be introduced without hindrance, for example through a filling valve. Subsequently, the stretch rod according to either embodiment according to 43 or the embodiment according to 44 be positioned above or in the top of the filled container and through the corresponding nozzle 20223 introduce the purge gas into the head area. It can be provided that at least part of the molding process is carried out with compressed air and the purge gas is passed from the same nozzle as the compressed air. Thus, the entire interior can be flushed with the purge gas even after shaping and before filling.

In another in the 45a - 45c In the embodiment shown, the movability of the stretch rod within the molded container is used in order to keep the volume not filled with liquid in the head region of the container as long as possible as low as possible before the purge gas is introduced.

This is in 45a the filling process in the molded container 20220 still in the container 20220 Retracted stretch rod 20440 shown. The container is in the in 45a illustrated situation to the level 20222 filled. For this purpose, the container via a filling valve, which can also be arranged on a lance or only as a valve of a part 20450 the mold filling station protrudes, filled with the product. This process can either after complete molding of the container 20220 take place or already begin during the molding. The stretched rod, partially or completely retracted into the container, displaces volume that should actually be taken up by the filled-in product. This causes after completion of the filling process, as in 45b is shown, the liquid level 20222 ' of the product is higher than it should be after completion of the actual filling process. Due to the higher liquid level, however, it is achieved that there is less remaining glass in the head area.

It is preferred if, after completion of the filling operation and before pulling out of the stretching rod, the volume not filled with liquid in the head region is 1/10, preferably 1/20, particularly preferably 1/50 of the volume of the head region not filled with liquid when the stretching rod is pulled out. In order to realize these values, it may be necessary for the stretching rod to be at least partially removed from the container during filling. This is particularly the case when the volume of the stretch rod is so large that it exceeds the total volume of the head region where there is no liquid when the stretch rod is completely withdrawn from the container. The entry depth of the stretch rod can easily be controlled by the depth of entry of the stretch rod is changed depending on the filled quantity and the remaining volume.

After the container is in 45b is completely filled, now becomes the stretch rod 20440 from the liquid-filled area of the container 20220 pulled out. The liquid level drops 20222 ' according to 45b on the liquid level 20222 '' , wherein the volume released in the head area from that of the stretch rod in 45b displaced volume in the container to the liquid level 20222 ' equivalent. Is the stretch rod in the position 20440 ' move so that the nozzle 20223 above the liquid level 20222 '' is located, is started with the introduction of the purge gas. Since the extraction of the stretch rod can take place relatively quickly and can be started with the introduction of the purge gas, the ingress of ambient air can already be avoided here.

It is particularly advantageous if the stretch rod along its length on the outside openings or valves for discharging purge gas has (similar to the openings 20231 - 20234 according to 2 ), so as soon as the stretch rod out of position according to 45b is moved, purge gas is distributed in not filled with liquid head area. It is particularly advantageous if the discharge pressure from the lateral nozzles is at least slightly above the surrounding atmospheric pressure, so that an overpressure is formed which prevents the penetration of surrounding gas, in particular air and oxygen. The subsequent introduction of purge gas through the attached at the lower end of the stretch rod nozzle can then displace the residual amount of remaining gas in the head area.

The embodiment according to 45a - 45c can be applied both to the embodiment according to 43 as well as the embodiment according to 44 be applied. Will the embodiment of the 45 to the embodiment according to 44 applied, it is particularly advantageous if the airtight sealing takes place before filling and in particular even before the molding of the container. If the airtight sealing takes place before the container is formed and the preform is formed by introducing product into the complete container, the amount of gas remaining in the filled container is very small, so that only a small amount of purge gas has to be rinsed here.

If the container is formed by a blow nozzle by means of compressed air or compressed gas to the container, so is an embodiment is conceivable in which the tuyere is used to introduce the purge gas and the suction of the purge gas or the gas remaining in the container through the stretch rod or an additional lance he follows.

Typically, the gas used, in particular CO ₂ , can be supplied from a separate tank, for example, with the aid of an annular channel in the mold filling machine the individual mold filling stations can be supplied. If containers are filled with carbonated substances with the mold filling machine, CO ₂ can already be tapped off here for the rinsing.

In a further embodiment, it can also be provided for airtight sealing of the container that after filling a semipermeable membrane is applied to the opening of the filled container. This membrane can then be pierced, for example, by a very thin lance with a diameter of 2, preferably 1, preferably less than 1 mm in order to introduce the purge gas. Due to the semipermeability of the membrane, the gas remaining in the head region of the filled container can escape through the membrane but, on the other hand, no gas and in particular no air from the environment can penetrate into the head region, except for the purge gas introduced by the lance. If a slight overpressure of the flushing gas is generated in the head region closed by the membrane, it is possible to ensure that no surrounding gas can penetrate into the head region through the hole in the membrane, even when the lance is pulled out.

Description of the character ID 21

46 shows such an embodiment in which a filling valve 21201 in a mold filling station 21200 is installed. This mold filling station comprises, for example, a mold or a mold 21220 in which a preform can be positioned for molding. Furthermore, the mold filling station comprises the essential devices for filling the product and for forming the preform into a container. This does not necessarily include, for example, a stretch rod 21221 and a mold / filler block 21222 in which this stretch rod together with the filling valve 21201 can be arranged. The block 21222 forms together with the form 21220 the mold filling station.

The filling valve can be part of the stretching rod 21221 ' include or be arranged on this. The illustrated connecting elements 21211 and 21212 form in conjunction with corresponding, for example, complementary connecting elements in the mold filling station 21200 or the mold / filler block 21222 the quick-change connection.

It is advantageous if the stretch rod 21221 is formed in two parts, wherein the part 21221 ' together with the filling valve 21201 releasably connected to the mold filling station. It can be provided that the arranged in the filling station part of the stretch rod 21221 via similar detachable connections, in particular via magnetic or electromagnetic connections with the part 21221 ' the stretch rod is connectable.

The complementary connection 21211 . 21212 can be formed either mechanically, for example via eccentric lever, clamping lever, Centerlockhebel and corresponding complementary connectors in the mold filling or magnetic or electromagnetic connections. For this purpose, it can be provided that the filling valve has or comprises a permanent magnet or has a ferromagnetic material. This can be provided for example in the form of a ring which encloses the filling valve. At the mold filling station, either a permanent magnet or particularly preferably an electromagnet can then be arranged, which can be electromagnetically connected to the permanent magnet of the filling valve. Over a suitable choice of field strengths, especially when using an electromagnet, so a secure hold of the filling valve can be ensured and at the same time a simple solubility of the filling valve can be achieved by switching off the electromagnet. Thus, unwanted downtime when replacing the filling valves can be avoided or reduced.

While it has been described in the previous embodiments that the filling valve is separable from the mold filling station, it can also be provided that the filling valve together with, for example, the stretching rod or other components, such as a piston for introducing the liquid to be filled into the filling valve as a form / Füllblock are summarized. This form / filler block can be quickly connected to the other elements of the mold filling station, so that not only the single filling valve but the entire arrangement of filling valve and form / filling block can be removed from the mold filling station. The described embodiments for the quick-change connections may also be provided on the mold / filler block to secure it to the mold filling station.

The removed filling valve or the removed form / filler block can then be cleaned or other work, such as maintenance, supplied. Likewise, they can be replaced depending on certain production parameters, such as different liquids to be filled (for example, carbonated liquids or still liquids or liquids with different viscosity).

In particular, with regard to the cleaning of the filling valve and / or the mold / filling block may alternatively be provided that the filling valve can be isolated from the environment. In this isolated state, a cleaning can then be done using a cleaning device.

In addition shows 47 an embodiment in which at a mold filling station 21300 a filling valve 21301 is arranged. This arrangement of the filling valve 21301 For example, below or near the stretch rod 21321 be provided.

To the filling valve 21301 in this embodiment at least from the environment outside the mold filling station 21300 Isolate is a cap 21302 provided by the filling valve 21301 can be slipped or moved. This can, for example, a storage 21303 be provided with the cap 21302 is stored at the mold filling station. The cap 21302 can be about the storage 21303 be movably mounted so that the cap 21302 either via the filling valve 21301 can be pivoted or can be fed in the direction of the filling valve. Is the cap over the filling valve 21301 has been driven, so for example, via a corresponding supply line in the mold filling station cleaning medium in the area was isolated from the cap of the environment and in which the filling valve 21301 is initiated, to clean the filling valve. This supply line can either be provided separately or for example by the piston 21322 carried by the usually the medium for filling in the container via the filling valve 21301 to be led. At the same time, this area of the mold filling station can be cleaned. This is particularly advantageous if there is a change in the product to be filled into the container.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the cleaning medium is not passed through the filling valve, but first through lines that into the cap 21302 leading into the environment enclosed by the cap. The filling valve can then be cleaned with the cleaning medium located in the cap or in the space enclosed by the cap. The cleaning medium can then be led out of the cap again or continuously.

48 shows one to 47 alternative embodiment, in which as a device for isolating the filling valve 21401 from the environment of the mold filling station 21400 no separate cap, but the blow mold or form in which the container is formed from the preform is used. To can the shape 21430 , usually two mold halves 21433 and 21434 as well as a floor 21432 includes, to the filling valve 21401 moved so that a preferably air and / or liquid-tight closing of the filling valve 21401 opposite the environment of the mold filling station 21400 he follows. In doing so, the position of the shape 21430 for closing the filling valve 21401 either the usual position when molding a container from the preform correspond or a special cleaning position of the mold 21430 be.

The supply of cleaning medium can be done for example by separate supply lines, which can be connected to a memory for cleaning medium. This can be arranged on the carousel. In particular, each mold filling station can be assigned a separate memory. These may be filled separately as needed or connected to a supply system which may be located in the mold-filling machine or outside the mold-filling machine. About this supply system can be supplied to the storage cleaning medium. It can also be provided that one or more stores are arranged outside the carousel and are connected via supply lines to the individual mold filling stations. In particular, for this purpose, a central rotary distributor can be arranged in the mold filling machine, which can forward the cleaning medium from the stores located outside to the individual mold filling stations via a central supply line.

It is particularly advantageous if, during cleaning, the mold 21430 not completely empty, but a "container" 21431 , which may for example have the shape of a preform or may be shaped differently, in the mold 21430 is positioned to receive the excess amount of cleaning medium. Because the inside of the mold 21430 during the molding of a container, it must preferably be dry, is the use of such a special container 21431 especially advantageous when cleaning with a liquid cleaning medium.

In 49 is one to 48 illustrated alternative embodiment, in which not the entire shape around the filling valve 21401 is closed, but at the mold halves 21433 and 21434 so far apart that the ground 21432 the form 21430 in the direction of the filling valve 21401 be able to move around this. Thus, the volume into which the cleaning medium is introduced can be reduced, which is advantageous in particular when using liquid cleaning media, since cleaning medium can thus be saved and nevertheless a corresponding cleaning of the filling valve 21401 can be done. To the movement of the soil 21432 the form 21430 can be provided that the ground 21432 on a movable bracket 21435 is arranged. This may be, for example, a movable by means of an actuator axis.

The supply of cleaning medium can be analogous to that in 48 described embodiment, in particular with an additional container done.

50 shows a further embodiment. This is an analogous embodiment to that in FIG 49 shown. In addition to the possibility of the filling valve 21401 to clean with cleaning medium, are here in the ground 21432 the form 21430 cables 21661 to 21664 intended. Through this, the cleaning medium, through the filling valve 21401 is headed out of the ground 21433 be discharged. The emerging cleaning medium can then, for example, for cleaning the remaining parts of the mold, in particular the mold halves 21433 and 21434 be used. This allows for cleaning the filling valve 21401 either every time or depending on certain cleaning cycles, a cleaning of the mold 21430 without the shape 21430 have to be removed or supplied to an additional cleaning device. The wires 21661 - 21664 can be locked separately.

Alternatively to the in 47 to 506 illustrated embodiment may also be provided that either the filling valve together with in 47 described cap or the filling valve is moved out together with the closed this form from the mold filling station and an additional cleaning unit or cleaning device is supplied.

Figure description ID 22

51 shows an embodiment of the treatment station according to the invention 2230 ,

The treatment station 2230 for forming a plastic container comprises a hollow mold 2231 for receiving a heated plastic preform and a mechanical spreading device 2233 . 2234 for spreading the plastic preform. With the mechanical spreading device is from the plastic preform an intermediate form 2232 educated.

In this embodiment, the mechanical spreader comprises a plurality of wires 2233 and a sleeve 2234 on a stretch rod 2235 are arranged. The stretching rod 2235 also has a stretch rod tip 2236 on, with the the plastic preform can be stretched in the axial direction.

The wires 2233 are made of a spring steel and one end of the wires is on the stretch rod tip 2236 attached. The other end of the wires 2233 is on the sleeve 2234 attached, with the sleeve 2234 relative to Reckstangenkuppe 2236 can be moved. In this way, the stretch rod 2235 be introduced into the plastic preform with the mechanical spreader when the wires 2233 are relaxed and occupy little space in the radial direction.

After insertion can then, for example, the sleeve 2234 in the direction of the Reckstangenkuppe 2236 be moved, causing the wires 2233 bend radially outwards and get the whole arrangement of the wires 2233 radially expands with respect to the symmetry axis of the stretch rod. The wires 2233 come in this way first in contact with the heated plastic preform and then deform it into an intermediate form 2232 ,

After that, the wires can 2233 by moving the sleeve away 2234 from the Reckstangenkuppe 2236 to be relaxed again and from the intermediate form 2232 be removed.

Subsequently, a filling tube in the intermediate form 2232 be introduced and filled a pressurized product. By this pressure, the intermediate form is further stretched until it is on the mold 2231 is applied and the final bottle contour is formed. The filling tube is then removed again and the filled and finished bottle is discharged from the treatment station. In other words, it is the object of this invention to mechanically form the pre-bubble (intermediate shape) by a linkage. In this case, thin metal wires are preferably made of spring steel via one or more sliding sleeves which are located on the mandrel or filling tube so deformed that they spread radially. In the resulting pre-bubble can then be filled directly under pressure product. Due to the pressure (eg: approx. 35-40 bar), the bubble is further stretched until it rests against the bottle wall and reflects the bottle contour. Advantage of the invention is that the heated PET (plastic) is less in contact with the product which has a temperature which is below the temperature of the preform. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the pre-bubble is generated mechanically, since it is so independent of the inflowing medium and forms defined forms. Due to the defined formation of the pre-bubble, the wall thickness distribution can advantageously also be controlled, since influence on the wall thickness of the container is influenced particularly in the pre-blowing phase. In addition, it is possible that at the contact points of the wires with the PET on the bottle inside a kind of stiffening rib is formed, which increases the axial load capacity of the bottle.

Figure description ID 23

52 shows a corresponding embodiment in which the cleaning device is integrated into the mold filling station of the mold filling machine. A preform placed in the mold filling station 23210 This is done in a mold, such as a blow mold 23220 , transported in the mold filling machine. The preform 23210 has not yet been molded into a container. The molding can be done by means of compressed air and / or drawing, but also by filling product.

In 52a For example, the cleaning device comprises a cleaning element acting as in the preform 23210 insertable lance 23212 is trained. About the lance and a corresponding connected to the lance line, through the lance 23212 and the one above the preform 23210 Cleaning nozzle can be introduced into the preform in position brought neck of the cleaning device. This can be a gas, for example a sterilizing gas, but also a cleaning fluid.

One or more cleaning valves can be arranged on the lance. In this case, a cleaning valve at the bottom, pointing towards the bottom of the preform end of the lance 23212 be arranged. Additionally or alternatively, additional cleaning valves may be provided along the lance 23212 be arranged. The cleaning valves are suitable for applying the cleaning medium to the container.

To ensure that the cleaning medium is completely removed from the preform before molding 23210 is removed, it is provided that the preform according to the in 52a illustrated embodiment is not completed at the top by the cleaning device or other components, so that the cleaning medium can escape from the opening. This embodiment is particularly useful when using gases to clean the preform 23210 advantageous. If gases are used which have a lower density than the surrounding atmosphere or the surrounding air, this gas escapes from the preform itself from the opening. If the gas is denser than air, it is displaced by the product during filling. But even when using a liquid, for example, by subsequent injection of compressed air, the corresponding liquid or the cleaning medium from the preform 23210 be displaced. In order to prevent contamination or permanent wetting of the mold filling stations, it may be provided that a discharge chute from the preform 23210 dissipates displaced liquid. The discharge chute is preferably in a circular area around the opening of the mold 23220 educated.

With regard to an improvement of the rinsing and cleaning results, it is of course conceivable to run the input and discharge processes repeatedly or in different variants coupled, such as multiple pulses, alternating rinsing with the same or different fluids and or a change of fluids and gases

In 52b another embodiment is shown in which the opening of the preform 23210 is closed, preferably airtight. This closure can, for example, via the lance 23212 be realized, the diameter in this case corresponds to the diameter of the opening of the preform or by a general treatment nozzle 23221 , which not only the cleaning device but also, for example, all devices for molding the preform 23210 down to the mold 23220 may include. These include, for example, stretch rods or valves, the compressed air or a liquid medium for shaping the preform 23210 in the preform 23210 can initiate. About this treatment nozzle (also called form / filler block) can be connected to a lance 23212 attached nozzle analogous to 52 the cleaning medium are introduced into the preform, wherein a feed line 23213 is provided for the cleaning medium. To emptying the preform 23210 to ensure before shaping and filling is a derivative 23214 provided that the cleaning medium from the preform 23210 can derive. This can also be provided that in the derivative 23214 a pump is provided which pumps the cleaning medium out of the preform. Ideally, the flushing process is improved by pressing the cleaning medium under pressure and actively through the drain 23214 escapes.

In this embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if the closure of the preform 23210 also remains during the molding, and preferably also during filling, so that the cleaned inner surface of the preform 23210 can not be contaminated until filling. In order to further reduce the time between the cleaning of the preform and the actual filling, it may also be provided that the shaping of the preform into the preform 23210 product is pumped in so that immediately after cleaning, molding is carried out together with the filling of the product.

54 shows a further embodiment in which the preform 23310 is cleaned prior to entry into the mold filling plant. This can be done for example by a cleaning device 2320 which is arranged along the transport device or with the transport device 238 even moving is done. These can be one or more cleaning nozzles 23311 be provided over the opening of the preform 23310 can be positioned. Particularly advantageous here is a transport of the preform 23310 Neckhandling, so on his collar 23330 a clamp 23331 attacks and this along the transport device 8th , transported. The nozzle 23311 The cleaning device can either over and thus outside the opening of the preform 23310 be positioned and the cleaning medium in the preform 23310 let in or if moved into the preform 23310 be introduced. Since the cleaning takes place here outside the mold filling, it is not necessary, a flow of cleaning liquid or cleaning medium from the opening of the preform 23310 to prevent. It can even be used to advantage even around the outside of the preform 23310 To clean, by excess cleaning medium, in particular liquid, from the opening of the preform 23310 escapes and on the outside of the preform 23310 running down.

To the preform 23310 then emptied reliably, it can be provided that it continues to the neck handling bracket and rotated during transport. Also, purging with sterile air or general sterile gas such as nitrogen or CO ₂ can be used to dry the inside of the preform. Will also be the outer surface of the preform 310 Drying with liquid cleaning medium, so drying of the outside is advantageous to negative effects on the molding of the preform 23310 to avoid the full container.

55a - 55f show an embodiment of a method in which the preform is introduced into the mold filling machine, then sealed airtight, then cleaned with a gaseous cleaning medium, molded and then filled or at the same time before the airtight seal is released.

In 55a For example, the preform is transported by neck-handling. In 55b then a handover to the mold filling machine has taken place, so that the preform into a mold 23220 was used, which was closed to him. A treatment nozzle of the mold filling station 23410 as he is for example in 53a is described, is moved in the direction of the preform or its opening.

In 55c the treatment nozzle closes the opening of the preform airtight and by means of a nozzle, which may also be on a lance 23440 , Preferably, can be arranged on the stretch rod, the preform is cleaned. In this embodiment, as in FIG 53a described, the cleaning medium discharged from the preform before it is started with the molding. The airtight seal is not opened. In 55d can the lance 23440 be pulled out of the preform again and instead of this the stretch rod in the preform 23400 be introduced. Alternatively, one of the above-described cleaning valves on the stretch rod 23450 arranged, so there is no exchange and shaping can take place directly. For this purpose, the stretch rod comprises one or more form valves which can introduce a medium into the preform to effect the molding. This medium can be, for example, compressed air, but also a liquid, in particular the product to be filled into the container. It is advantageous with regard to the entire duration of the process, when a plurality of nozzles for discharging a gaseous cleaning medium are arranged on the stretch rod, which introduce the cleaning medium when entering the preform. Immediately thereafter, molding can be started by stretching and introducing a liquid or gaseous medium. Alternative to the stretch rod 23450 alone, as in the previously known state of the art, the shaping of the containers can take place via a separate blow valve. It is also a suitable combination of introduction over the lance 23440 or stretch rod 23450 and the separate blow valve conceivable

The preform now in the forming 23400 ' is still hermetically sealed. In 55e has the preform 23400 ' almost its full size and is thus almost completely formed. Already at this time, provided that the molding takes place at least partially by introducing product, a certain level of liquid, as indicated, may be present in the not yet completely formed container. The product displaced cleaning medium can escape defined by a corresponding discharge in the treatment nozzle, so as to maintain the process-related pressure in the container. In 55f is the molding and filling completely completed and the treatment nozzle 23410 is removed from the opening of the preform, thereby releasing the airtight seal.

To ensure the airtight seal, it may also be provided that the opening of the preform is sealed by a membrane. This membrane may be semi-permeable so that, for example, cleaning medium, such as a gas, may diffuse out of the preform out of the membrane. To clean, form or fill the preform, the membrane can be pierced at one point and then directly resealed. This sealing can also be done automatically by the membrane itself, for example as a reversibly deformable membrane.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the preform outside the mold filling machine is cleaned in a separate cleaning device, as for example in 54 has been described. While the cleaning of the inside and optionally the outer surface of the preform has been described here only using gas or liquid, it is also conceivable that for cleaning radiation such as X-rays or UV radiation is used or a combination of a cleaning medium with radiation and / or heat ,

Description of the character ID 24

In 1 is a mold filling plant 241 with a mold filling machine according to the invention 246 shown. This comprises in the embodiment shown here a carousel 244 that is in the direction of rotation 244a can turn. At the carousel 244 are one or more mold filling stations 245 arranged, in which a preform can be formed and filled. These include the mold filling stations 245 in each case a hollow mold, in which the preform can be clamped, and in which the preform is formed and optionally filled even when the mold is closed. For this purpose, it is provided that each mold filling station has one or more filling valves for filling product into the preform and / or into the container.

The preforms can be made from a furnace area 247 via appropriate means of transport 248 , such as turning stars or conveyors, the carousel 244 be fed, the transport of the preforms can be done for example in the neck-handling process. Between the oven area 247 and the carousel 244 For example, further treatment devices, such as inspection devices, cleaning devices or the like can be arranged.

The filled and molded containers can be removed from the carousel via a corresponding transport device 249 , such as a rotating star, from the carousel 244 transported become. The molded and filled containers 242 can then be supplied, for example, to further treatment devices such as a capper or labeling device or printing devices. These can also be used as part of the mold filling machine 246 be understood. In principle, however, the form filling machine comprises at least one carousel with corresponding mold filling stations in which the containers or preforms can be shaped and filled.

56 shows a detailed schematic view of a mold filling station 245 as they are in 1 on the carousel 244 is shown. The mold filling station 245 includes a mold 246 , which is designed as a hollow mold. Form 246 usually includes two mold halves 246a and 246b and a floor 246c , which together can be referred to as moldings. Furthermore, the mold filling station comprises a mold / filler block 2420 for example, for filling and molding of the preform 243 can be used. This includes the mold / filler block 2420 for example, the stretch rod 2421 and possibly a closure device 2422 that over the opening of the preform 243 can be positioned.

To form a container, first the preform is placed in the mold filling station 245 introduced and of the form 246 or the mold halves 246a and 246b and the floor 246c enclosed. By the stretch rod 2421 and any supply lines for product and / or compressed air, the preform is then according to the by the form 246 predetermined shape formed into a container. At the same time or after, it can be completely filled.

Since filling takes place at the same time in the mold-filling machine or at least directly after the container has been formed, product spills or bursting of individual containers in the mold-filling stations may occur in the event of production errors. Accordingly, a cleaning of the mold filling stations is advantageous.

The mold halves 246a and 246b as they are in the 56 are shown, but also the ground 246c are usually formed in three parts, as for example in 243a is indicated. It includes the in 243a illustrated mold halves a molding or a mold 24310 which directly contacts the preform and defines the final container shape during preform molding. Furthermore, the mold half comprises a mold shell 24320 by means of which pressure can be exerted on the mold when the mold halves come into contact, for example by the injection of compressed air into the region between the mold shell and the mold, so that the molds of the mold halves are compressed.

The shape shell 24320 with the inside mold 24310 is from a mold carrier 24330 held the mold half. To pick up a container, the mold is opened. The opening can be done by translational movement of the mold halves to each other or by the two mold halves are spread around a common center of rotation. It can be provided that this movement by an external drive unit 24340 is effected, which can drive the individual mold halves. It is here for the opening and closing of the mold halves in the context of the production of containers (ie, the inclusion of a preform, the molding and filling within the mold and the release of a container) not necessary, in this three-part design driving the mold carrier, the shell molds and allow the molds independently.

According to the invention, however, in particular with regard to the cleaning provided that each of the parts of the molds or mold halves is connected via a drive unit with a respective adjacent part of the mold halves, so that these two parts can be moved relative to each other. The separate drive units are not shown here. It does not necessarily have to be different drive units. The mold halves can also be like in 3a presented on a common leadership 24350 be arranged and using the drive means 24340 be movable. Alternatively it can also be provided that for each of the parts, so the mold 310 , the shape shell 24320 and the mold carrier 24330 a separate guide with one or more stops for defining certain end points of a movement and a corresponding drive unit for moving this part of the mold halves is provided.

243b shows a further embodiment in which the mold halves are formed in two parts. So includes the mold half 24300 according to this embodiment, only the mold 24310 and the mold carrier 24330 , To ensure that the molds 24310 two mold halves of a mold filling station are pressed against each other with sufficient pressure to prevent the formation of unwanted seams on the surface of the container during molding, it is particularly advantageous in the two-part design of the mold halves, when the mold 24310 and the mold carrier 24330 via a drive unit, in particular a hydraulic unit 24360 connected to each other. Thus, the necessary for the molding of a container pressure of the molds 24310 against each other being constructed. Either separately or designed as a drive unit, a drive 24340 for the mold carriers 24330 be provided the mold halves.

While the in 243a and 243b can also be provided that the respective mold halves are connected to each other spreadable, so that the two mold halves can be opened. In any case, it is provided that the components of the mold halves are separable from each other, so that the spaces between the individual parts can be cleaned.

It is particularly preferred if the individual parts of the mold halves are moved farther apart in a cleaning position than in normal operation, so that the cleaning of the intermediate spaces of the parts of the mold halves is possible. In operation, the mold halves are usually moved between a molding position and a receiving position. They are for opening a container in the receiving position (and also for dispensing the container after it has been formed and filled) opened or opened, where they are either rotated about an axis of rotation and thereby spread, or moved away from each other. In this position, the mold halves are just far enough apart to accommodate a container. In the cleaning position, the distance between the mold halves to each other and in particular the distance of the individual parts of the mold halves may be preferably greater than in the receiving position in order to achieve a good cleaning result.

In addition shows 244a an embodiment of a in the form of filling machine (here only partially with the reference numeral 24480 shown) integrated cleaning device. The cleaning device 24490 and 24495 can be firmly connected to the mold filling station or the carousel of the mold filling machine or be arranged on the periphery of the mold filling machine. An arrangement in a region of the mold filling machine not used for container treatment (molding and filling) is particularly advantageous. Such an area exists, for example, between the transport devices which convey the preforms into the mold-filling machine and the transport devices which transport the finished-shaped and filled containers out of the mold-filling machine.

The cleaning device 24490 respectively. 24495 can be designed as a conduit in which a cleaning medium is transported, as in 244a is shown. For discharging the cleaning medium, one or more nozzles 496 be provided, which can apply the cleaning medium to the individual parts of the diverging mold halves. In order to save space can also be provided that only a single nozzle is movably provided along a guide that can clean the individual parts of the mold halves via a correspondingly flexible lead. Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if the nozzle or the nozzles can be pivoted so that the cleaning medium can be applied from different angles to the individual parts of the mold halves. This makes it easier to clean especially hard to reach spaces.

Are the mold halves, as in 244a shown, pulled apart or moved apart, it can also be provided that additional nozzles are introduced perpendicular to the plane in free areas (for example, to appropriate lances or guides) to clean the inner area of the individual components of the mold halves can. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in the case of cleaning devices entrained with the mold filling stations, since no or only slight movement of the mold halves or the components of the mold halves takes place here relative to the cleaning device during a cleaning step.

In contrast, at a fixed to the mold filling machine (not with the carousel, as it is in 1 is shown co-rotating) mounted cleaning device movement of the individual mold halves relative to the cleaning device. In this case, it can be provided that the individual nozzles 24496 Direct the cleaning medium from different angles to the components of the mold filling station to ensure complete cleaning.

During cleaning, it is generally possible to use high-pressure medium for cleaning in order to ensure the removal even of solid residues which may remain in the mold cavity, for example when a container bursts.

Depending on the throughput of the mold filling machine, provision may also be made for multistage cleaning processes to be used. Thus, depending on the rotational speed, it can be realized that the individual mold halves are moved apart during each revolution so far that at least cleaning with gas introduced at high pressure is possible. For this purpose either the same nozzles can be used by the liquid cleaning medium is also passed or it can be provided on the cleaning device additional nozzles which discharge a gaseous medium in the direction of the parts of the mold halves can. In particular, H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) can be used, since this has a disinfecting effect.

In particular, when the cleaning of the parts of the mold halves occurs only in the event of a container bursting or other unforeseen contaminants accompanying a standstill or maintenance of the mold filling machine, foaming cleaning media may also be used to ensure thorough cleaning. If the mold halves are at least roughly cleaned during operation, in addition to gaseous cleaning media, it is also possible to use sprays which are, for example, peracetic acid-containing.

However, since the molds should not be wetted with liquid in operation in order to prevent incorrect molding of the container, it can be provided that the molds are cleaned during operation at least roughly with a gaseous cleaning medium, whereas the remaining parts of the mold halves also during operation can be treated with spray or liquid cleaning media.

244b shows a further embodiment in which the cleaning device or at least a part of the cleaning device 24497 as a ring around the opening in the mold in which the opening of the preform is located. This part of the cleaning device can in particular the mold 24310 clean specifically. Since during molding and simultaneously or directly subsequent filling of the container can always lead to unwanted product residues on the mold, which are disadvantageous for molding the following containers, this cleaning device, for example, using compressed air in each treatment cycle in which the mold is at least partially opened is to issue a container and / or receive a new preform, make a cleaning of the inner surface of the mold. Thus, unwanted side effects of contamination can be avoided.

Alternatively or additionally, provision may also be made for nozzles to be arranged on a stretching rod which is used for drawing the preform, said nozzles also being able to apply a gaseous or liquid cleaning medium to the inside of the hollow mold.

While in the above embodiments the cleaning device was either moved with the mold filling station (ie a separate cleaning device was provided for each mold filling station) or a cleaning device fixedly connected to the mold filling machine, it is also possible to provide either the complete mold filling station or at least the mold comprising the two mold halves, to be moved out of the mold filling machine and into a cleaning device, which arranged next to the mold filling machine to transfer.

A particularly advantageous embodiment here would be the formation of a cleaning device as a carousel, which is suitable for receiving the molds, so that the individual molds can be cleaned during a cycle around this cleaning device and then returned to the appropriate location in the mold filling station. For this purpose, the drive means of the forms of these must be solvable and also the individual guides must be able to release the mold. It is also advantageous here if the mold-filling machine and the cleaning device are altogether associated with more molds than mold-filling stations are arranged on the mold-filling machine. Thus, after the molding and filling of a container, the molds of the mold filling stations can be supplied to the cleaning device and a cleaned mold can be supplied from the cleaning device to the carousel. Thus, a continuous cleaning of the mold halves can be realized.

It is particularly advantageous here if the molds are transferred from the mold-filling machine to the cleaning device in a first plane and transferred from the cleaning device to the mold-filling machine in a second plane parallel to the first plane but offset along the rotational axis of the carousel. Thus, at the same time a mold can be transferred from the mold filling machine or the carousel to the cleaning device and a mold from the cleaning device to the mold filling machine. Thus, a cleaning and working cycle can be realized during operation of the mold filling machine and ensure that each mold filling station can always accommodate a container in a clean form.

Figure description ID 25

A mold filling machine with a valve block with shut-off valves, which can shut off and open chambers, from which a blown gas or a product can pass into a nozzle channel of the valve block via the shut-off valves, is in 59 shown. In detail shows 59 a valve block 25100 with three blown air channels 25101 . 25102 and 25103 , Through the blowgas duct 25101 can a blown gas for pre-blowing at a pressure of 3 to 20 bar, through the blowgas duct 102 can a blowing gas for intermediate blowing at a pressure of 5 to 30 bar and through the blowgas duct 25103 For example, a blown gas can be passed to the final blow with a pressure of 7 to 40 bar. It can still be one another channel may be present for generating a vacuum in the container, which in this embodiment also to the room 25107 Connected via a valve and which may be connected to a vacuum source (not shown). The vacuum source may be placed on the carousel and provide a vacuum for a plurality of stations or located in the stationary part and the vacuum (vacuum) via the rotary distributor 25140 (additional lane) to the treatment stations. The vacuum channel can be excluded from cleaning, but can also serve to return the cleaning agent.

The individual blowgas ducts end in a first chamber 25107 of the valve block 25100 and have the valves 25104 . 25105 and 25106 on. Furthermore, the valve block 25100 a product channel 25110 with another valve 25111 on. Through the additional valve 25111 is at least part of the product channel from a second chamber 25112 separated. Furthermore, the valve block 25100 a CIP backwash channel 25120 with another valve 25121 on. The valve 25121 separates at least a portion of the CIP backwash channel from a nozzle channel 25130 , In addition, the first and second chamber 25107 and 25112 through appropriate shut-off valves 25108 and 25114 from the nozzle channel 25130 separated.

With the shut-off valve open 25108 , and correspondingly opened Blaskanalventil 25104 . 25105 . 25106 , a pressurized blast gas from one of the Blasgaskanäle 25101 . 25102 or 25103 in the nozzle channel 25130 from where it passes through an outlet of the nozzle channel 25130 can be ejected into a preform, not shown, or a partially prepared plastic container for blow molding. With the shut-off valve open 25114 For example, a product used to fill a finished plastic container and / or to finish a partially blow molded plastic container may be inserted into the nozzle channel 25130 reach. It can with open shut-off valve 25114 by means of a movable piston 25113 applied pressure in the nozzle channel 25130 be pressed. At the exit of the nozzle channel 25130 can still a swivel, raise and lower CIP flap 25135 be movably mounted. During the CIP cleaning process, the nozzle opening of the nozzle channel becomes 25130 using the CIP door 25135 closed.

By providing the shut-off valve 25118 to shut off the first chamber 25107 This avoids the liquid product being in contact with the valves 25104 . 25105 . 25106 the blowgas ducts 25101 . 25102 . 25103 can get. Thus, the Blasgaskanalventile 25104 . 25105 . 25106 as in conventional pure blow molding be provided, ie, they must not resist a liquid medium. On the other hand, using the shut-off valve 25114 a contact of the valve 25111 in the product channel 25110 be avoided with a pressurized blast gas. Thus, the valves can be 25111 . 25104 . 25105 and 25106 each for only one medium interpret, whereby their construction over the prior art can be simplified.

The blowgas channels 25101 . 25102 and 25103 , the product channel 25110 and the CIP backwash channel 25120 can use a rotary distributor 25140 for distributing the respective medium to the different channels of the valve block 25100 be supplied. The rotary distributor 25140 is made by product tanks, blenders, degasifiers and / or carbonators, etc. 25150 as well as a compressor 25160 fed. In the appropriate lines to the blowgas ducts 25101 . 25102 and 25103 can pressure reducer 25180 and ring lines 25190 be provided suitable.

60 shows a variant of in 59 shown mold filling machine. In the in 60 embodiment shown, the rotary distributor 25140 no own trace for the the cleaning agent of the CIP process. Rather, the CIP backwashing takes place over part of the blast gas line. A corresponding control of the cleaning agent and the blowing gas via multi-way valves 25195 which are provided in the blast gas lines. The compressor 25160 becomes a filter 25160 downstream of the blowing gas. As a cleaning agent for CIP backwashing, for example, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, alcohol or soapsuds can serve.

Again, as in the 59 shown embodiment, a vacuum channel with valve to the room 25107 connect, for example, immediately to the left of the valve 25106 ,

In the in the 59 to 60 In the embodiment shown, the shut-off valves 25108 and 25114 Prevent any potentially aggressive cleaning agent used for CIP backwashing with those in the blower ducts 25101 . 25102 . 25103 arranged Blaskanalventilen 25104 . 25105 . 25106 or the product channel valve 25111 comes into contact, so that these valves must not be elaborately resistant to such a cleaning agent must be formed.

In 61 is a valve block 25100 shown in which the intended blowgas ducts 25101 . 25102 and 25103 directly into the nozzle channel 25130 ends and corresponding valves 25104 . 25105 and 25106 exhibit. As in the in the 59 and 60 The embodiments shown in FIG manifold 25100 a product channel 25110 with a valve 25111 , This chamber 25112 is from the nozzle channel 25130 through a shut-off valve 25114 separated, the contacting of the valve in the closed state 25111 in the product channel 25110 with pressurized blast gas coming from the blast gas channels 25101 . 25102 and 25103 is delivered prevented. With the shut-off valve open 25114 can one from the product channel 25110 with the valve open 25111 supplied product using the movable piston 25113 in the nozzle channel 25130 be pressed.

Because the ends of the blowgun channels 25101 . 25102 and 25103 in the nozzle channel 25130 ie, in the example shown the valves 25104 . 25105 and 25106 , well above the shut-off valve 25114 can be arranged, a contacting of the valves 25104 . 25105 and 25106 be avoided with the product, provided that of the moving piston 25113 caused pressure on the product in the chamber 25112 Not so big is that the product is undesirably up in the nozzle channel up to the valves 25104 . 25105 and 25106 is pressed. Thus, the valves 25104 . 25105 and 25106 be designed as pure gas-regulating valves that do not withstand the pressure of a liquid medium and must not be protected against contamination by such a liquid medium.

In the in 61 shown example, no CIP flap is provided, but the cleaning liquid, for example, as in the in 60 shown example can be performed over a portion of the blowing lines, directly from the nozzle opening of the nozzle channel 25130 escape. To catch the CIP cleaning medium is a catch basin 25200 provided by the CIP cleaning medium via a pump 25210 can be returned.

In the above with respect to the 59 to 61 described embodiments, the product using a piston 25113 out of the chamber 25112 in the nozzle channel 25130 pressed. 62 In contrast, shows an embodiment of a mold filling machine according to the invention with a valve block 25100 in which a product is released by gravity from the product channel 25110 in the nozzle channel 25130 is directed. The product flow is regulated by a shut-off valve 25114 , In the product channel is a ring channel 25195 intended for all other stations. A CIP backwash may be made as described in relation to 60 described embodiment. By providing the shut-off valve 25118 to shut off the first chamber 25107 This avoids the liquid product being in contact with the valves 25104 . 25105 . 25106 the blowgas ducts 25101 . 25102 . 25103 can get. Thus, the Blasgaskanalventile 25104 . 25105 . 25106 as in conventional pure blow molding be provided, ie, they must not resist a liquid medium. The rotary distributor 25140 is made by product tanks, blenders, degasifiers and / or carbonators, etc. 25150 as well as a compressor 25160 fed. In the appropriate lines to the blowgas ducts 25101 . 25102 and 25103 can pressure reducer 25180 and ring lines 25190 be provided suitable.

63 shows a further example of a mold filling machine according to the invention with a valve block 25100 in which a product enters a nozzle channel by gravity 25130 is directed, with blow channels 25101 . 25102 . 25103 above a shut-off valve 25114 a product channel 25110 are arranged. As in the 61 shown embodiment, since the ends of the blowgas ducts 25101 . 25102 and 25103 in the nozzle channel 25130 ie, in the example shown the valves 25104 . 25105 and 25106 , well above the shut-off valve 25114 are arranged, a contacting of the valves 25104 . 25105 and 25106 be avoided with the product. A CIP backwash may be made as described in relation to 61 described embodiment. The rotary distributor 25140 is made by product tanks, blenders, degasifiers and / or carbonators, etc. 25150 as well as a compressor 25160 fed. In the appropriate lines to the blowgas ducts 25101 . 25102 and 25103 can pressure reducer 25180 and ring lines 25190 be provided suitable.

Individual features of the embodiment described with reference to the figures can be suitably combined with each other.

Description of the character ID 26

An example of how the inventive CO ₂ recycling in a treatment station of a mold filling machine with a valve block 26100 can be implemented is in 64 shown. In the treatment station of the mold filling machine, both the production and the filling of plastic containers with a carbonated liquid product takes place. The uncarbonated product is taken from a product tank 26110 a carbonator 26120 supplied for addition with CO ₂ . The carbonated product gets into the valve block 26100 the treatment station passes the mold filling machine in which it is filled into a partially or completely manufactured plastic container. The filling can also serve to complete the plastic container at the same time. It can also be provided that before the filling, the completion of the plastic container by means of another liquid medium, such as water, takes place after completion of the plastic container the same is discharged. The flow of this additional medium can also via the rotary distributor 2619 be introduced into the machine.

In the treatment station, preforms are blow molded. The CO ₂ used for blow molding is in the example shown by a compressor 26130 delivered from a CO ₂ tank 26140 is supplied. After the blow molding process, CO _{2 is} recycled from the treatment station. Like in the 64 shown, the residual pressure CO _{2 can} the carbonator 26120 to provide. Likewise, a portion of the CO ₂ after the blow-molding process, an (intermediate) compression stage of the compressor 26130 or fed to its beginning (not shown).

The 65 and 66 illustrate the recycling of CO ₂ used for blow molding in the embodiment of the mold filling machine according to the invention. Both figures show a valve block 26100 a treatment station of a mold-filling machine with a CO ₂ pre-blowing pressure channel - or memory 26101 , a CO ₂ continuous blown pressure channel or reservoir 26102 , a CO ₂ recycling channel or storage 26103 and a product channel 26104 about a preform or a manufactured container 26150 be shaped or filled. The above-mentioned further medium which can be used for finishing the plastic containers can also be passed through the product channel 26104 are introduced into a partially produced by blow molding plastic container. A stretch rod can also be present.

Pre-blowing of a preform can be done at 2 to 20 bar. The correspondingly pressurized CO ₂ is from a through a CO ₂ tank 26140 fed compressor 26130 (from a last pressure stage of the same) via a rotary distributor 26160 into the CO ₂ pre-blowing channel 26101 via a pressure reducer 26444 delivered. A finished blowing of the pre-blown preform and thus, for example, a finishing of a plastic container 26150 can be done at 8 to 40 bar. For this, the CO2 without pressure reducer is fed directly into the finished blow-by duct 26102 of the valve block 26100 passed the treatment station. Suitable pressures in the pre-blower passage or in the finished blower passage (not shown) may generally be via a pressure reducer 26444 be set. After the blowing process can via the CO ₂ recycling channel 26103 CO ₂ are derived for further use.

The partially or completely manufactured plastic container 26150 is filled with a carbonated liquid product. For this purpose, one from a product tank 26110 delivered product in a carbonator 26120 mixed with CO ₂ and the rotary distributor 26160 in the product channel 26104 of the valve block 26100 delivered to the treatment station. As in the 65 and 66 shown, the flow of CO ₂ and the carbonated product can be controlled by valves.

In the in 65 In the embodiment shown, the CO ₂ consumed during blow molding, which is under a residual pressure, is held via the rotary distributor in the rotating part of the machine and via the duct 26103 again the product channel 26104 fed where it's carbonating the product from the product tank 26110 can serve the delivered product. Part of the residual CO ₂ pressure could also be a compression of the compressor 26130 be supplied. After filling the product in a plastic container 26150 If necessary, can blow out the finished filled plastic container 26150 respectively. Even for such a blow-out, a part of the residual CO ₂ can be used. In the in 66 On the other hand, the embodiment used in blow molding, under a residual pressure CO _{2 is} directly in the product channel 26104 where it can contribute to the carbonation of the product to be filled.

Description of the character ID 27

67 shows the treatment station 275 the mold filling machine 271 , The treatment station 275 includes: molded parts 276a - 276c the mold 276 , a multi-part mold carrier 2710 , Valve head 2711 (with a hub 2711a the valve unit with respect to the mold), fluid nozzle 2712 (corresponding to a tuyere), a stretching rod 2713 (with channel), wherein a stroke of the stretch rod with respect to the valve unit with 2713a with openings (for suction of the molding fluid, possibly also for supply of molding fluid / product components) with 2713b are designated, a supply line 2714 for the molding fluid (with valve), a supply line 2715 for the product (with valve), a hydraulic suction line 2716 for the molding fluid (with valve), a pneumatic suction line 2717 for the interior of the container when filling (with valve), a pneumatic suction line 18 for the mold / outside of the container when filling (with valve), a media distributor 2719 (common rotary distributor for the treatment stations), and a compressor 2720 for the molding fluid.

68 shows a cross section of a bottle mouth with attached Vorverschluss 2730 , The front closure 2730 After closure of the container, a closure is applied to the mouth of the filled container by means of the closure device, thereby avoiding spilling out of the liquid when it is transferred to the outlet device. As is blown with a hot product and the liquid is on cools the transport in the treatment station, creates a smaller negative pressure, which holds the closure on the mouth.

69 shows the prefastener 68 with vertical degassing slots 2731 at the extent. 70 shows the prefastener 68 with star-shaped or cross-shaped relief slots 2733 respectively. 2732 in the lock center. The closure here has small ventilation openings or ventilation slots, through which a gas exchange is permitted on cooling, so that the container does not collapse due to the resulting negative pressure. Such a closure in the sense of a prefastener can be removed again before attaching the final closure and returned to the filler outlet.

71 shows the cross section of a bottle mouth with a welded-on foil 2760 , In the case of a film, this type of pre-closure can also be left on the mouth and the final closure cap can be placed thereon. The film may, for example, cross-shaped degassing slots 2761 exhibit

72 shows the concept of a discharge device in the form of a discharge star with a swivel mount 2770 the container 2771 , 73 shows right after a cross section through the outlet device 72 , On the left side of 73 the oblique liquid surface is indicated in an outlet star according to the prior art. Since the mold filling machine always runs at the same speed, the type and characteristics of the liquid surface for a given product is always almost identical. On the basis of this specific expression, an overflow star can be prevented by means of an outlet star, in which the container pivots defined with an inclination of the self-adjusting liquid surface. The inclination may be due to the centripetal and gravitational force acting on the container, or the inclination may be predetermined along an outlet path of the outlet device due to a mechanical guide in the outlet spout. Furthermore, a control device may be provided for outputting a control signal for controlling the inclination of the swivel holder along an outlet path of the outlet star, and additionally or alternatively a camera for monitoring the inclination. The control can thus be fully automatically adjustable in the form of an electrical curve and readjusted via a camera technology even in real time nachregelbar.

74 shows a rail-optimized container outlet 2790 in the outlet device. Here, the Schwappschutzvorrichtung comprises a deviating from the circular path of the container 91 in the outlet device, in particular with one of a transfer point between the treatment station and outlet device in the tangential direction extending portion of the outlet path. In this way, it is avoided that the centripetal force acting in the treatment station is instantaneously converted during the transfer in an opposite centripetal force in the outlet star, whereby a slosh is reduced. Particularly preferred is a gradual transition from the curvature of the circular path in the treatment station in an opposite curvature of the outlet path. In other words, the discharge path after the transfer point still partially with a direction of curvature as before or at the transfer.

75 shows a multi-axis outlet star 2795 , In this embodiment, such a Schwappschutzvorrichtung with web-optimized container outlet is realized in that the Schwappschutzvorrichtung further at least one rotatable about a pivotally arranged holder 2794 for the container, wherein a distance of the content container and the pivot point is variable, in particular by means of a variable-length connecting element. This corresponds to a multi-axis outlet star 2795 with variable radius.

76 shows a single slide system 2796 , In this embodiment, the outlet device comprises a plurality of individual carriages 2797 for the respective receiving a container, wherein the individual carriages are arranged on at least one guide rail, and wherein preferably the speeds of the individual carriages are each separately controllable. In this way, each individual carriage can travel along the predetermined path (driven individually or connected by a belt or a chain). Not only the trajectory but also the speed and acceleration can be adapted and variable. In this way, the centrifugal force acting on the liquid in the container, in particular its maximum values in the course of the outlet path, can be minimized.

77 shows a path-velocity diagram with optimized curve. The speed of the container v _container along the path s of the web is gradually reduced from the speed v _{blowing wheel} in the blowing wheel of the mold filling machine to the speed v _{band of} the outlet bath.

Description of the character ID 28

The valve head 2811 is, as described in more detail below with reference to 78 and 79 is described, especially for a product having a liquid or pasty portion and a particulate portion formed.

In the 78 is the treatment station 285 when filling the product 2824 shown in a side view. You can see that the mold is hollow 286 has still moved together and therein the finished molded plastic container 282 with the as filling organ 2821 trained stretch rod 2813 is filled.

Thus the individual product shares 2824a . 2824b in the desired sequence and / or quantity to the stretch rod 2813 is supplied in the product supply line 2815 the shut-off device 2822 intended. By appropriate valves of the shut-off device 2822 is optionally the liquid product content 2824a from the line 2823a or the particulate product fraction 2824b from the line 2823b or any mixture can be fed from it. Furthermore, the channel is in the stretch rod 2821a trained with the product shares 2824a . 2824b through the opening 2821d into the interior of the plastic container 282 be delivered. This makes it possible to use the liquid fraction 2824a , the particulate fraction 2824b or a mixture thereof in the desired time sequence in the plastic container 282 bottling. It is conceivable that the stretch rod 2813 when filling along the longitudinal axis of the plastic container 282 is moved. As a result, the squirting out of the liquid portion can be avoided by dropping in the particle-like portion. It is also conceivable that the stretch rod 2813 a return gas tube, can escape through the gas or air during filling.

Alternatively, with the in 78 illustrated treatment station 285 conceivable, the plastic container 282 with the liquid product content 2824a form and only then the particulate product proportions 2824b bottling. As a result, for example, pieces of fruit are not subjected to pressure for shaping and thereby filled gently.

The channel 2821a in the stretch rod 2813 is formed larger in diameter here than the particle-like product proportions 2824b , As a result, these are in the promotion by the stretch rod 2813 not crushed. For example, the diameter of the channel is 2821a 10 mm.

In the 79 is an alternative embodiment of the treatment station 285 shown in a side view. This differs from the one previously mentioned in the 78 illustrated embodiment only in that the filling organ 2821 trained stretch rod 2813 and the shut-off device 2822 separate ways for the liquid portion 2824a and the particulate fraction 2820b exhibit. All other features correspond to those in the 78 illustrated treatment station 285 ,

It can be seen that the shut-off device 2822 after the valves, the liquid product content 2824a from the line 2823a or the particle-like fraction 2824b from the line 2823b separated to the product lines 2815a . 2815b forwards. These are corresponding to those in the stretch rod 2813 separately formed channels 2821b and 2821c connected. Consequently, the liquid product fraction flows 2824a via the product line 2815a in the centrally located channel 2821b and occurs at the bottom of the stretch rod 2813 through the opening 2821d in the plastic container 282 out. The particulate product content 2824b on the other hand passes through the product line 2815b in the concentric with the canal 2821b trained channel 2821c and enters through the opening 2821e from the stretch rod 2813 in the plastic container 282 out. In other words, the outer wall of the central channel forms 2821b the inner wall of the annular channel 2821c , The two walls of the ring channel 2821c are spaced so far that the particle-like product proportions 2824b not be crushed. For example, the distance is 2810 mm. This makes it possible to differentiate the product 2824a . 2824b independent from each other to the plastic container 282 to promote and thereby treat particularly gently. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the central channel 2821b for the particulate product portions 2824b and the ring channel 2821c is provided for the liquid or pasty product portions.

It can also be seen that when filling the particulate product portions 2824b the liquid level 2824c already at the final filling level. This will make the particulate fraction 2824b not by the negative pressure during rapid filling of the liquid product portion 2824a pulled apart and the product can be filled very quickly and yet gently.

The previously in the 78 - 79 illustrated mold filling machine 281 or the treatment stations 285 are used as follows:
First, the preform 283 with the stretch rod 2813 of the valve head 2811 in the mold 286 stretched and then with the fluid nozzle 2812 or the filling organ 2821 of the valve head 2811 with a suitable molding fluid to the finished plastic container 282 formed. First, the mold fluid is sucked off and then the container 282 with the liquid product content 2824a and the particulate product portion 2824b in the mold 286 filled. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the plastic container 282 with the liquid product content 2824a formed as a molding fluid and then only the particulate product content 2824b is added.

With the mold filling machine 281 and the mold filling method described becomes the particulate product portion 2824b through suitably sized channels of the valve head 2811 promoted with the lowest possible pressurization and thus possible quality-friendly in the plastic container 282 bottled.

It is understood that features mentioned in the embodiments described above are not limited to these specific combinations and are possible in any other combinations.

Figure description ID 29

The 80 shows the treatment station 295 in a side view with a first embodiment of the measuring device 2924 in which by means of a position detection device 2925 the longitudinal position of the stretch rod 2913 along the direction 2913a is detected. Furthermore, the stretch rod 2913 the return gas pipe 2913c on, about when bottling the product 2922 Gas from the plastic container 292 in the channel 2913d the stretch rod can escape.

Furthermore, the valve head 2911 the track unit 2926 for height adjustment of the stretch rod 2913 on. This allows the stretch rod 2913 for stretching the preform 293 and used to determine the amount of product bottled as follows:
Before filling, the stretching rod becomes 2913 proceed until the lower end of the return gas pipe 2913c in the amount of the desired liquid level 2922a lies. The height of the stretch rod 2913 and thus the return gas pipe 2913c is by means of the position detection device 2925 detected, which is designed as a linear encoder. This is the position of the return gas pipe 2913c opposite the container 292 known exactly.

During subsequent filling, the product becomes 2922 over the supply line 2915 and the filling organ 2921 in the plastic container 292 filled. It will do this in the container 292 gas displaces and escapes via the return gas pipe 2913c and the channel 2913d , Now beat the liquid level 2922a at the return gas pipe 2913c on, so the remaining head volume of the gas can no longer escape and it results from the desired filling quantity of the product.

Consequently, via a measuring device 2924 for the longitudinal position of the stretch rod 2913 the filled product quantity can be determined particularly easily.

In the 81 is another embodiment of the measuring device 2924 shown in a side view. This is different from the one in the 80 illustrated embodiment only in that the liquid level 2922a not via the return gas tube but through a probe 2913e on the stretch rod 2913 is detected. Otherwise, the stretch rod 2913 , as described above, with the track 2926 be adjusted in height and the longitudinal position with the position detection device 2925 be determined.

The probe 2913e is here designed as a conductivity probe and comprises two electrodes separated by an insulating gap and arranged one above the other. The probe 2913e is over the cable 2913f connected to a suitable evaluation and the machine control (both not shown here). Is the probe located? 2913e in the gas above the liquid level 2922a , so the measured conductivity is extremely low. If the liquid level exceeds 2922a on the other hand, the insulating gap up, so both electrodes come with the product 2922 in contact. The conductivity now increases at the moment of contact with the product and the height of the liquid level 2922a is determinable.

The in the 81 illustrated measuring device can either according to the preceding embodiment ( 80 ), the position of the probe 2913e before bottling is adjusted so that it is at the desired level of the liquid level 2922a of the finished product 2922 lies.

It is also conceivable that the stretch rod 2913 with the track 2926 when filling is moved continuously or in steps up and again and again the liquid level 2922a via the position detection device 2925 and the probe 2913e is determined. This allows the filling organ 2921 be regulated in more detail.

In the 82 is another embodiment of the measuring device 2924 to be seen in a side view. The treatment station 295 differs from the embodiment in the 80 in that the measuring device 2924 not the stretching bar position detected but with load cells 2927 is formed, which is the weight of the mold 296 , the plastic container 292 and the product contained therein 2922 to capture.

You can see that the load cells 2927 and additional springs 2928 in the bottom part 296c the mold are integrated and can thus detect a force on the arrangement in the direction F. The load cells 2927 are designed here as known per se Piezokraftaufnehmer. These capture a force on the piezocrystal and enter through the wires 2929 a proportional amount of charge to the charge amplifier 2930 from. The charge amplifier 2930 converts the charge quantity into a corresponding force signal and outputs this via the bus system 2931 to the machine control.

The measuring device 2924 in the 82 is used as follows:
After the introduction of the preform 293 in the mold 296 and closing the valve head 2911 is the weight of the overall arrangement with the load cells 2927 recorded as initial weight and forwarded to the machine control.

During filling, the change to the initial weight is continuously recorded and also forwarded to the machine control. The filled quantity of the product 2922 corresponds to a predetermined weight change of the overall arrangement. If this is exceeded, the filling element can 2921 be stopped and the container is filled with the desired capacity.

In the 83 is another embodiment of the measuring device 2924 shown in a side view. The treatment station 295 differs from the embodiment in the 80 in that the measuring device 2924 not the stretching rod position detected but as a product flow meter 2932 in the valve head 2911 is trained.

It can be seen that the product flow from the supply line 2915 via an impeller of the product flow meter 2932 to be led. As a result, a rotational movement is generated during filling, which is detected by a transmitter, not shown here, and delivered as a signal to the machine control. Then the product continues to flow over the filling element 2921 in the container 292 ,

The measuring device 2924 in the 83 is used as follows:
A not shown here valve in the filling 2921 is opened during filling until the product flow meter 2932 the desired volume flow into the container 292 has recorded. The impeller rotates a certain number of revolutions until the desired flow rate is reached. Subsequently, the valve of the filling organ 2921 closed again. The liquid level 2922a of the product 2922 then corresponds to the container 292 the desired height.

In the 84 is another embodiment of the measuring device 2924 shown in a side view. The treatment station 295 differs from the embodiment in the 80 in that the measuring device 2924 not the stretching rod position detected but as a detection device 2934 for the predosed dose in the dosing chamber 2933c is trained.

You can see that on the valve head 2911 the dosing unit 2933 with the dosing chamber 2933c is arranged. The volume of the dosing chamber 2933c is above the dosing cylinder 2933A and the metering piston 2933b limited. By moving the dosing piston 2933b with the track 2935 can the product from the supply line 2915a sucked in and then through the pipe 2915b to the filling organ 2921 be delivered. In order to prevent a reverse flow of the product, are in the lines 2915a and 2915b appropriate backflow preventer arranged. It is conceivable here that the track unit 2935 a direct drive or a cam control is.

The position of the metering piston 2933b opposite the dosing cylinder 2933A can with the detection device 2934 To be determined as a linear encoder on the piston rod 2933d is trained. This can be determined either continuously or at the end positions of the dosing piston position exactly.

The pre-dosing amount can be determined from the end positions when moving the dosing piston 2933b determine that the height difference of the end positions with the cross-sectional area of the metering cylinder 2933A is multiplied.

The measuring device 2924 in the 84 is used as follows:
First, there is the metering piston 2933b in the lower end position. This position is with the detection device 2934 recorded and passed on to a machine control as a signal. Subsequently, the metering piston 2933b Move so far up to the detection device 2934 the upper end position is detected. From the difference between the two end positions multiplied by the cross-sectional area of the metering cylinder 2933A results in the pre-dose volume in the dosing 2933c , Subsequently, the metering piston 2933b moved back to the lower end position and the product 2922 over the filling organ 2921 in the container 292 issued. After the dosing cycle is then the container 292 to the desired liquid level 2922a filled with the pre-dose volume. It is also conceivable that the dosing cycle for filling a container 292 is traversed several times and then the predosage volumes are added up corresponding to a total volume.

It is understood that features mentioned in the embodiments described above are not limited to these specific combinations and are possible in any other combinations.

Figure description ID 30

As the forming and filling of the container 302 In the mold filling machine is done very quickly, they can in the transport system 309 yet heated and thus easily deformed. To avoid damage, the transport system is 309 with container receptacles 3012 provided with a adapted to the container shape suction cup for attacking and holding the container 302 exhibit. This will be described in more detail below with reference to 85A - 85B described:
In the 85A - 85B is a container receptacle 3012 a transport system 309 shown in a side view. It can be seen that the column 3011 by means of a drive, not shown here, about the vertical axis of rotation 30A in the conveying direction 30R rotates. At the top of the column 3011 are several identically constructed container receptacles 3012 arranged. The sake of clarity is in the 85A - 85B in each case only a single container receptacle 3012 shown.

The container pickup 3012 has a transport arm at one end with the shaft 3011 and at the other end with the sucker 3013 connected is. As a result, the suction cup moves 3013 along a circular transport path about the axis of rotation A.

The sucker 3013 is with the container part area 302a corresponding contact surface 3013b adapted to the container shape. There, the contact surface runs 3013b both in the container longitudinal direction shown here and in the container circumferential direction, not shown, along the outer wall of the plastic container 302 , In other words, the contact surface forms 3013b a negative mold to the corresponding container part area 302a , This is the contact surface 3013b while holding the entire surface of the container 302 at.

In addition, the suction cup points 3013 in his body 3013a one or more channels 3013c on and is over the hose 3014 (Pressure channel) with the vacuum unit 3015 connected. With the vacuum unit 3015 becomes the contact surface 3013b with negative pressure for holding or with a slight overpressure for dispensing the container 2 provided. This is here as a bellows with an internally arranged spring 3016 educated. The control curve 3017 is in cooperation with the oppositely acting spring 3016 provided the bellows 3015 to expand at a receiving position and then at a dispensing position of the container 2 to compress. This will set the appropriate pressure for the sucker 3013 provided.

The transport system 309 from FIGS. 85A and 85B is used as follows:
In the 85A is the container 302 shown in a receiving position in which the control cam 3017 the vacuum unit 3015 not touched. This will cause the bellows to spring through 3016 expanded as much as possible and it builds a vacuum in the suction cup 3013 on. This will make the container 302 in the area of the contact surface 3013b sucked and held all over. In addition, the container becomes 302 on the ground 302b through the platform 3018 supported. This also allows very heavy containers 302 be kept safe.

Like in the 85B shown in more detail, is the control cam 3017 around the axis of rotation 30A formed circumferentially and runs deeper in the region of the dispensing position. This will be the vacuum unit 3015 compressed and it forms a slight overpressure in the pipe 3014 , the channel 3013c and the contact surface 3013b out. This will make the container 302 very gentle on the suction cup 3013 detached and can, for example, to the conveyor belt shown here 3010 be handed over.

The sucker 3013 is made of a rubbery material using a 3D printing process. First, the outer geometry of the container 302 determined from a CAD system or with a 3D scanner. The one for contact with the sucker 3013 desired container part area 302a is isolated from the outer geometry and blended with a basic model of the suction cup. In addition, the contact surface 3013b modeled with the enclosing rubber lip. The finished 3D model of the suction cup is then fed to a 3D printer, for example a laser sintering machine. It is also conceivable that with the 3D printer first a master mold or a mold is made, in which then the actual suction cups 3013 be poured off. This makes it easy and inexpensive for each of the container receptacles 3012 a suction cup adapted to the container shape can be produced without having to produce a casting mold with machining processes at great expense for each type of container.

In the 86A - 86B is one to the 85A - 85B alternative embodiment of the container receptacle 3012 shown in a side view. This is different from the 85A - 85B only in that the suction cup 3013 over the line 3014 instead of the vacuum unit via the switchable control valve 3019 is connected to a central vacuum pump, not shown here. In detail, the vacuum of the vacuum pump via the rotary distributor 3021 and about that between the wires 3020 and 3014 arranged, switchable control valve 3019 guided.

The transport system 309 in the 86A - 86B is used as follows:
To pick up the container 302 ( 86A ) becomes the control valve 3019 electronically switched so that the line 3014 with the supply line 3020 connected is. As a result, the negative pressure of the Vacuum pump on the suction cup 3013 and the container 302 is sucked.

In contrast, at the delivery position in 86B the control valve 3019 electronically switched so that the line 3014 is connected to the environment via an opening, not shown here. This compensates for the pressure in the suction cup 3013 with the environment and the suction on the container 302 is canceled. This allows the container 302 for example, to the conveyor belt 3010 be delivered.

Due to the adapted suction cup 3013 can the containers 302 with the in the 85A - 86B illustrated transport systems 309 be recorded, transported and returned without compromising quality. Particularly advantageous, the transport device 309 for heated containers 302 be used, as these by the adapted suction cup 3013 be dimensionally stabilized.

It is understood that features mentioned in the embodiments described above are not limited to these specific combinations and are possible in any other combinations.

Figure description ID 31

87 shows a cross section of a first embodiment of the furnace 317 through which the pasteurization route 3129 and the preheating run. The filled plastic containers 313 be in a first level 3128 along the pasteurization line 3129 transported and the preforms in a second level 3127 along the preheating line. The first level 3128 and the second level 3127 are arranged one above the other. For heating the preforms 313 and for pasteurizing the filled plastic containers 312 are heating elements 3126 intended. As the pasteurization route 3129 through the oven 317 runs, the heat of the furnace can 317 be used directly for pasteurization.

88 shows a cross section of a second embodiment of the furnace 317 , which is essentially the first embodiment of the 87 equivalent. However, the pasteurization route includes 3129 now two active sections 3133 in which a supply of heat through the heating elements 3126 takes place, and a passive section 3134 in which there is no supply of heat through the heating elements. The pasteurization line 3129 is in the passive stretch through an isolation 3130 from the heating elements 3126 shielded. It can also be provided that in the passive section 3134 Ambient air is introduced.

89 shows a cross section of a third embodiment of the furnace 317 through which the pasteurization route 3129 runs. The filled plastic containers 313 be in a first level 3128 along the pasteurization line 3129 transported and the preforms in a second level 3127 along the preheating line. The first level 3128 and the second level 3127 are arranged one above the other. For heating the preforms 313 are first heating elements 3132 and for pasteurizing the filled plastic containers are second heating elements 3131 intended. Thus, the first heating elements can for example be set to a different temperature than the second heating elements, whereby it is possible in a simple manner to achieve different temperatures for the pasteurization of the filled plastic containers and for heating the preforms.

90 shows a cross section of a fourth embodiment of the furnace 317 , which is essentially the third embodiment of the 89 equivalent. However, the pasteurization route includes 3129 now two active sections 3135 in which a supply of heat through the heating elements 3131 takes place, and a passive section 3136 , In the passive section 3136 Either no second heating elements can be provided or, if second heating elements are provided, the passive section can be provided 3136 through an isolation 3137 from the second heating elements 3131 be shielded. In the passive section 3136 There is thus no supply of heat through the heating elements. It can also be provided that in the passive section 3136 Ambient air is introduced.

The in the 87 to 90 described embodiments of the furnace can also be designed such that the first plane in which the Pasteurisierstrecke runs, above the second plane in which the preheating of the preforms extends, is arranged.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1529620 B1 [0003, 0041, 0088, 0144, 0164, 0199, 0251, 0286, 0315, 0350, 0370, 0396, 0420, 0440, 0479, 0525, 0547, 0580, 0608, 0635]
• US 2011/0031659 A1 [0004, 0089, 0145, 0165, 0200, 0252, 0287, 0316, 0351, 0371, 0397, 0421, 0441, 0480, 0526, 0548, 0581, 0609, 0636]
• US 2011-0031659 A1 [0042]
• DE 102011012751 A1 [0638]

Claims (12)

Process for the production of a plastic container and for its filling with at least one filling product in a mold, comprising the introduction of a preform ( 18103 . 18303 . 18502a ) in the form ( 18106 . 18506a C), in particular a blow mold, and at least partially producing the plastic container by applying the preform ( 18103 . 18303 . 18502a ) with at least one first pressurized medium, characterized in that the first medium is an incompressible fluid. The method of claim 1, wherein the incompressible fluid is the fill product. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the preform is first acted upon by the first medium having a first temperature and then by a second medium, in particular by an incompressible fluid having a second temperature, which differs from the first temperature. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the preform is further acted upon by a second medium, in particular by a gaseous blowing medium. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic container ( 18120 . 18302 ) is only partially formed by the application of the second medium, in particular with gaseous blowing medium, and the remaining shape of the plastic container ( 18102 . 18302 ) by filling with the first medium, in particular by filling product. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first medium after the completion of the plastic container is at least partially sucked back from the plastic container. Mold filling machine for producing a plastic container and for filling it with a filling product in a mold, comprising a mold ( 18106 . 18506a C) for molding a plastic container from a preform ( 18103 . 18303 . 18502a ), a first supply line ( 18314 . 18414 . 18514 ) for supplying a first medium to the mold ( 18106 . 18506a C) for at least partially molding the plastic container and a pressure generator ( 18444 . 18454 ; 18446 . 18456 ; 18547 . 18554 ) to pressurize the medium under pressure in the first supply line ( 18314 . 18414 . 18514 ), characterized in that the first medium is an incompressible fluid. Form filling machine according to claim 7, wherein the medium comprises the filling product and / or another filling product and wherein the pressure generator a pump or a pressure chamber ( 18444 ; 18446 ; 18547 ) with reciprocating pistons ( 18454 ; 18456 ; 18554 ). Mold filling machine according to claim 8, wherein the pressure chamber ( 18444 ; 18446 ; 18547 ) and / or the first supply line ( 18314 . 18414 . 18514 ) a heating device ( 18434 ) for heating the medium. Form filling machine according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein furthermore a second supply line for a second medium, in particular for gaseous blowing medium is present. Form filling machine according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the medium and / or the filling product via a common feed ( 18430 ), in particular a hollowed stretch rod, is guided in the auszuformenden plastic container. Mold filling machine according to one of claims 7 to 11, further comprising at least one control valve ( 18324 . 18325 ; 18424 . 18425 . 18426 . 18434 . 18435 . 18436 ; 18525 ) to supply the medium and / or the filling product to the mold ( 18106 . 18506a -C) to regulate.

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