DE102021120200A1 - Device for manufacturing a container from a preform made of thermoplastic material and an insert for insertion into an opening of a shell mold - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for producing a container from a preform made of thermoplastic material, the device (10) having a molding device (11) for molding a container, which has at least one mold shell (12) for molding at least part of the container wherein the shell mold (12) has an inner surface (14) for molding at least part of an outer surface of the container, the shell mold (12) having at least two embossing elements (22, 32) which are separated from each other in a wall of the shell mold (12). are independently movable. The invention provides improved apparatus (10) for making a container from a preform of thermoplastic material that is flexible and inexpensive.

Description

The invention relates to a device for producing a container from a preform made of thermoplastic material and an insert for insertion into an opening in a mold shell.

Forming devices are used to produce containers from thermoplastic material, in which thermally conditioned preforms made from thermoplastic material are stretched to form containers. To do this, the preforms are placed in molds and stretched in the axial and radial directions until they are in contact with the shape of the container to be produced. The containers are often filled and sealed shortly after they have been manufactured and disinfected. It is also conceivable that the containers are stretched with the filling material and are thus filled directly during production. When the containers are filled with food, labels are regularly attached to the container, such as a best-before date.

In addition, it is known that the best-before date is applied to a surface of the container with a laser or inkjet printer. However, the costs of the device for producing containers increase through the use of laser or inkjet printers, since on the one hand the devices for printing have to be purchased, maintained and kept available and consumables such as toner or ink have to be provided.

From the DE 10 2010 047 616 A1 an injection mold is known which has a stamp with which a marking can be applied to a plastic preform.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved device for producing a container from a preform made of thermoplastic material, which device is flexible and inexpensive.

The object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

In an apparatus for manufacturing a container from a preform of thermoplastic material, the apparatus having a mold assembly for molding a container, comprising at least one mold shell for molding at least a portion of the container, the mold shell having an inner surface for molding at least a portion of an outer surface of the container, it is provided according to the invention that the shell mold has at least two embossing elements which are mounted in a wall of the shell mold so that they can move independently of one another.

The invention thus provides at least two embossing elements in a mold shell for molding containers, with which the containers can be flexibly marked directly during manufacture. For this purpose, the embossing elements are mounted in the wall of the shell mold so that they can move independently of one another. Due to the independent mobility of the embossing elements, different markings can be flexibly carried out without converting the mold device. To mold a container, a preform is placed in at least one mold shell of the mold device. The at least one shell mold is assigned to at least one part of the container to be produced. That is, the shell mold functions as a mold for at least part of the container. Further parts of the container can be formed by further shell molds, which interact with the at least one shell mold and can be assembled to form an overall shape of the container. The at least one shell mold comprises the at least two embossing elements. During the molding of the container, the preform is stretched to such an extent that it is pressed against the at least one mold shell.

The stretched preform is also pressed against the embossing elements that are mounted in the wall of the shell mold. Depending on which position the embossing elements have in each case, different markings can be embossed directly into the wall of the container produced. This can be referred to as the matrix printer principle. By providing embossing elements in the wall of a mold shell for forming a container, no consumable material is used for container identification. The embossing elements are also inexpensive to manufacture and use. In one example, they can be produced together with the at least one mold shell, so that no significant additional costs arise for the acquisition.

Furthermore, the embossed elements can have different shapes. For example, they can emboss bar-shaped or dot-shaped characters. You can also use more complex characters, e.g. B. emboss pictograms.

It is conceivable that the embossing elements can be mounted, for example, in an insert that can be inserted into an opening in the shell mold.

It can thus be used in the opening of the shell mold different inserts. Thus, different embossing elements can be used. This means that different identifiers for containers can be provided with the same mold shell. The inserts can also be used on various devices for manufacturing containers if openings for the inserts are provided in the corresponding shell molds.

It is also conceivable that the at least two embossing elements can be moved, for example, independently of one another into an embossing position in which they protrude from the inner surface or are sunk into the mold shell.

The markings can thus be designed as raised or countersunk embossing. Raised embossing can, for example, be better recognized by visually impaired people by touch. Braille for the blind can also be embossed on the wall.

Furthermore, it can be provided, for example, that the mold shell can have at least seven embossing elements, which are arranged in particular to form digital numbers.

In this way, with only seven embossing elements, any number can be embossed into a wall of a container during its manufacture.

In other examples, the shell mold can have at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six or exactly seven embossed elements.

In a further example, the shell mold can have at least six groups of the at least two embossing elements, with the groups being arranged in a row.

For example, a six-digit best-before date can be embossed into the wall of a container.

In other examples, the shell mold can have at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five or exactly six groups.

According to a further example, the groups can be separated in pairs by a circular or bar-shaped opening or a pin or bar protruding from the mold surface.

To provide a best-before date with digital numbers, for example, seven embossing elements can be arranged in the mold wall for each digit of the date. Each embossing element can emboss an elongate bar on the wall of the container. The bar-shaped opening can, for. B. be a slot.

The shell mold can be designed, for example, to form at least one character on the outer surface by means of the at least two embossing elements, the at least one character being mirror-inverted in a top view of the mold surface.

It is also conceivable that each of the at least two embossing elements can have a separate drive element for moving the embossing element.

The embossing elements can thus each be moved by a separate drive element. Manual adjustment of the embossing elements is therefore not necessary. The drive elements can also be connected to a control device, for example, so that the embossing elements can be adjusted by the control device via the drive elements. In this way, for example, a large number of embossing elements can also be set on different mold shells at the same time.

Each of the at least two embossing elements can, for example, have a separate locking element for locking the embossing element in place.

The embossing elements can thus be locked independently of one another. This simplifies the handling of the embossing elements.

The invention further relates to an insert for insertion into an opening of a shell mold of a molding device for molding a container from a preform made of thermoplastic material, the shell mold having an inner surface for molding at least part of an outer surface of the container, the opening being arranged on the inner surface , wherein the insert piece comprises a shaped surface which, after the insert piece has been inserted into the opening, is arranged flush on the inner surface and closes the opening, in which it is provided according to the invention that the insert piece has at least two embossed elements which are mounted in the insert piece so that they can move independently of one another are.

By flush is meant that a wall of a manufactured container is continued through the insert piece smoothly or only with a minimal seam.

It is conceivable that the insert has at least seven embossing elements, for example, which are arranged in particular to form digital numbers.

In other examples, the insert can have at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six or exactly seven embossing elements.

The insert can have, for example, at least six groups of at least two embossing elements, the groups being arranged in a row, preferably the groups being separated in pairs by a circular or bar-shaped opening or a pin or bar protruding from the mold surface.

In other examples, the insert may have at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or exactly six groups.

According to a further example, the insert can be designed for molding at least one character on the outer surface by means of the at least two embossing elements, the at least one character being mirror-inverted in a plan view of the molding surface.

Furthermore, each of the at least two embossing elements can have, for example, a separate drive element for moving the embossing element.

In another example, each of the at least two embossing elements can have a separate locking element for locking the embossing element in place.

Advantages and effects as well as further developments of the insert result from the advantages and effects as well as further developments of the device described above. In order to avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the previous description in this regard.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Herstellen von Behältern,
• 2a, b eine schematische Darstellung einer Formschale,
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines Einsatzstücks, und
• 4a, b eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung eines Einsatzstücks.

The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment with the aid of the attached drawing. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a device for manufacturing containers,
• 2a, b a schematic representation of a shell mold,
• 3 a schematic representation of an insert, and
• 4a, b a schematic cross-sectional view of an insert.

The device for manufacturing a container from a preform of thermoplastic material is as described in 1 shown, denoted in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 in the following.

The device 10 has a molding device 11 which is designed to mold containers from preforms. For this purpose, the molding device 11 according to 2a at least one shell mold 12. The shell mold 12 is designed to mold at least a portion of the container. For this purpose, the shell mold 12 has at least one inner surface 14 which is designed to complement part of an outer surface of the container to be produced.

The container is formed by placing a thermally conditioned parison of thermoplastic material in the mold shell 12 and thereafter expanding it. The preform is stretched axially and radially. The stretched walls of the preform are pressed against the inner surface 14 of the at least one shell mold 12 .

Further parts of the container to be produced can be shaped by further mold shells which, with the at least one mold shell 12, provide a mold for the container to be produced. The at least one shell mold 12 can, for example, form a bottom or a part of a side wall of the container.

In openings 20 of the shell mold 12 can according 2a Embossing elements 22 may be arranged. The embossed elements 22 are arranged in the individual openings 20 in a displaceable manner. The embossing elements 22 can be displaced independently of one another.

In an alternative or additional example, the at least one shell mold 12 according to 2 B have an opening 26 into which an insert 16 can be inserted. The insert 16 can according 3 have at least two embossing elements 22 which are arranged on a mold surface 18 of the insert piece 16 and can be moved transversely to the mold surface 18 .

In both examples, the at least two embossing elements 22 are mounted in the shell mold 12 so that they can move independently of one another.

Each embossing element 22 can be moved to an embossing position and a flushing position. In the flush position, an embossing surface 28 of the embossing element 22 is flush with the surrounding inner surface 14 of the shell mold 12. In this context, flush is understood to mean that there are no outlines of the opening 20 in the wall of the container to be produced. in which the embossing element 22 is arranged, are visible. The embossing surface 28 points to the outer surface of the container to be produced. At the position of the embossing element 22 arranged in the flush position, the surrounding mold surface 18 is continued therewith.

In the embossing position, the embossing element 22 can be extended and protrude from the inner surface 14 . The wall of an expanding parison is pressed into the parison at the die 22 .

Alternatively, the embossing element 22 can be moved into the inner surface 14 in the embossing position. Material from the expanding preform can then be pressed into the resulting opening in the inner surface 14 so that a raised embossing is formed on the container to be produced.

According to 3 the embossing elements 22 can be used to emboss a date in the container. In this example, seven embossed elements 22 are provided for each digit of the date. There are a total of six digits in this example, each digit comprising a group of seven embossing elements 22 . The groups are arranged along a line.

The individual digits are separated from one another in pairs by further embossed elements 32 which each have a circular cross-section and can be arranged in circular openings 30 . In this example, the embossing elements 32 can be needle-shaped, with a tip of the needle being able to be pushed through the opening 30 .

In another example, the embossing elements 32 can also be arranged in bar-shaped openings.

The 4a and 4b show a cross section through the insert 16 in a plane perpendicular to the mold surface 18.

The insert piece 16 has a drive element 24 for driving the embossing element 22 . With the drive element 24, the embossing element 22 can be moved from the in 4a flush position shown in the in 4b shown embossing position are moved. In this example, the embossing position is designed in such a way that the embossing element 22 protrudes from the mold surface 18 . Alternatively, the drive element 24 can pull the embossing element 22 into the insert piece 16 . In this case, a recess would be formed in the mold surface 18 at the opening 20, into which part of the wall of an expanding parison would be pressed.

To lock the embossing elements 22 in place, the insert 16 or the shell mold 12 can have a locking element 34 . The locking element 34 can lock the embossing element in a direction in which a pressure of the expanding parison acts on the embossing element 22 .

Reference List

10

Device for manufacturing a container

11

molding facility

12

molded shell

14

Inner surface

16

insert

18

molding surface

20

opening

22

embossing element

24

drive element

26

opening

28

embossing surface

30

embossing element

32

opening

34

locking element

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102010047616 A1 [0004]

Claims (15)

Device for producing a container from a preform of thermoplastic material, the device (10) having a mold device (11) for molding a container, which comprises at least one mold shell (12) for molding at least a part of the container, the mold shell (12 ) has an inner surface (14) for shaping at least part of an outer surface of the container, characterized in that the shell mold (12) has at least two embossing elements (22, 32) which are mounted in a wall of the shell mold (12) so that they can move independently of one another . device after claim 1 , characterized in that the embossing elements (22, 32) are mounted in an insert (16) which can be inserted into an opening in the shell mold (12). device after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the at least two embossing elements (22, 32) can be moved independently of one another into an embossing position in which they protrude from the inner surface (14) or are sunk into the mold shell (12). Device according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the shell mold (12) has at least seven embossing elements (22, 32) which are arranged in particular for the formation of digital numbers. Device according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the shell mold (12) has at least six groups of at least two embossing elements (22, 32), the groups being arranged in a row. device after claim 5 , characterized in that the groups are separated in pairs by a circular or bar-shaped opening (30) or a pin (32) or bar protruding from the mold surface (18). Device according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the mold shell (12) is designed for molding at least one character on the outer surface by means of the at least two embossing elements (22, 32), the at least one character being mirror-inverted in a plan view of the mold surface (18). Device according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that each of the at least two embossing elements (22, 32) has a separate drive element (24) for moving the embossing element (22, 32). Device according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that each of the at least two embossing elements (22, 32) has a separate locking element (34) for locking the embossing element (22, 32). Insert for insertion into an opening (26) of a shell mold (12) of a molding apparatus for molding a container from a preform of thermoplastic material, the shell mold (12) having an inner surface (14) for molding at least part of an outer surface of the container, wherein the opening (26) being disposed on the inner surface (14), the insert (16) including a molding surface (18) which is flush against the inner surface (14) upon insertion of the insert (16) into the opening (26). and closes the opening (26), characterized in that the insert (16) has at least two embossing elements (22, 32) which are mounted in the insert (16) so that they can move independently of one another. Insert after claim 10 , characterized in that the insert (16) has at least seven embossing elements (22, 32) which are arranged in particular for the formation of digital numbers. Insert after claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the insert (16) has at least six groups of the at least two embossing elements (22, 32), the groups being arranged in a row, preferably the groups being in pairs each having a circular or bar-shaped opening (30) or a pin (32) or bar protruding from the mold surface (18). Insert after one of Claims 10 until 12 , characterized in that the insert piece (16) is designed for molding at least one character on the outer surface by means of the at least two embossing elements (22, 32), the at least one character being mirror-inverted in a top view of the molding surface (18). Insert after one of Claims 10 until 13 , characterized in that each of the at least two embossing elements (22, 32) has a separate drive element (24) for moving the embossing element (22, 32). Insert after one of Claims 10 until 14 , characterized in that each of the at least two embossing elements (22, 32) has a separate locking element (34) for locking the embossing element (22, 32).

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