Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
  • B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
  • B65B3/10—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by application of pressure to material
  • B65B3/12—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by application of pressure to material mechanically, e.g. by pistons or pumps
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B08—CLEANING
  • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
  • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
  • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
  • B08B9/20—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought
  • B08B9/28—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought the apparatus cleaning by splash, spray, or jet application, with or without soaking
  • B08B9/30—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought the apparatus cleaning by splash, spray, or jet application, with or without soaking and having conveyors
  • B08B9/32—Rotating conveyors
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
  • B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
  • B65B43/54—Means for supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
  • B65B43/60—Means for supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation rotatable

Definitions

• the invention relates more particularly to the field of installations for manufacturing and / or treating and / or filling hollow bodies.
• the invention will be described in the context of an installation for manufacturing and / or filling containers made of thermoplastic material. More particularly, the device according to the invention will be described in the context of a machine for manufacturing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles in which the bottles are obtained by blowing a preform previously produced by injection molding.
• PET polyethylene terephthalate
• this product can for example be a sterilizing agent.
• Another solution would be to use a specific machine similar to a rotary filler. However, the cost of such a solution would be far too high.
• the object of the invention is therefore to propose a new design of an injection device which is simple and reliable and which makes it possible to inject a product into moving hollow bodies, the conditions for injecting the product having to be able to be perfectly
• the invention provides a device for injecting a product in the direction of a predetermined place of objects which move continuously on a given trajectory while being spaced from each other by a determined pitch, characterized in that the device comprises a series of injectors which are carried by a mobile support while being spaced on the support by a pitch corresponding to that of the objects, in that the support is driven in an alternating movement such that, during a phase go of the movement, the mjectors each move opposite the predetermined place of one of the objects, and in that the period of the alternating movement of the support is equal to the inte time interval between the passage of two consecutive objects in front of the same fixed point, multiplied by the number of injectors on the support.
• the reciprocating movement of the support comprises, in addition to the outward phase, a return phase during which the movement takes place in the opposite direction, and two reversal phases,
• the durations of the four phases of the movement are of the same order of magnitude; - throughout the reciprocating movement, the trajectory of the mjectors remains parallel to the trajectory of the objects;
• the device comprises a transfer wheel which is driven in a continuous rotational movement around its axis and on which the objects are loaded along part of their trajectory, and the mjectors follow a trajectory in an arc of a circle around of the same axis, - the reciprocating movement of the mobile support is controlled by a system comprising a mobile cam and a cam follower linked to the support;
• the cam is a rotary cam which is driven by a continuous rotary movement
• the cam is driven in a continuous rotary movement around the same axis as the axis of rotation of the support
• the cam is driven in a continuous rotary movement around an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the support, - the cam has the shape of a plate whose contour forms the cam path;
• the device comprises a second cam with which a second cam follower connected to the support cooperates, and the profiles of the two cams are complementary so as to ensure positive control of the support in both directions of its reciprocating movement;
• At least one of the two cam followers comprises elastic means capable of compensating for the geometric imperfections of the device
• It comprises a plate in which is formed a track with two parallel edges in which circulates a roller which is linked to the support and which is capable of cooperating with each of the two edges of the track, these two edges each forming a cam path for ensure positive control of the support in both directions of its trajectory,
• the objects are hollow bodies having an opening
• the injectors are designed to inject a product inside the hollow bodies.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the device according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the device of Figure 1 once assembled
• FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the device
• - Figure 4 is a partial view in axial section; and - Figures 5A to 5F are schematic diagrams illustrating different successive positions of the device during operation.
• the invention will be described below in the context of a device 10 for injecting a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 0 2 ) or peracetic acid (APA) inside preforms 12 intended for the manufacture of PET bottles.
• a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 0 2 ) or peracetic acid (APA)
• preforms 12 intended for the manufacture of PET bottles.
• the preforms are hollow bodies produced by injection molding. They are generally substantially tubular and have a closed end and an open end.
• the open end 14, which is intended to form the open neck of the final container, is generally produced directly in its final shape in the injection mold and it comprises for example a thread 16 and an external radial flange 18.
• the preforms are transported to the stretch blow molding machine by a positive transfer system in which the preforms follow, continuously, a defined path being spaced from each other by a determined step.
• This positive transfer system comprises for example a notched wheel 20 which is rotated continuously around its substantially vertical axis A1.
• the wheel 20 has, at its periphery, twenty notches 22 in a semicircle, the diameter of the notches 22 being substantially equivalent to that of the preforms.
• the preforms 12 are introduced on the wheel 20 at a loading point so as to be each received in a notch, and so as to be supported by their collar 18 on the wheel 20. Downstream of the loading point , a guide 24 in an arc of an axis A1 extends around the wheel 20 to form another bearing zone for the preforms 12 and to prevent them from escaping from the notches 22.
• such a notched wheel can for example be arranged between a device for supplying preforms and a thermal conditioning furnace in which the preforms are brought to a temperature allowing their blow molding.
• the device 10 comprises several mjectors 26 which are carried by a mobile support 28
• a mobile support 28 there are five mjectors 26 and they are carried by a support 28 in the form of a plate which is movable in rotation around the axis A1 and which is arranged above the level of the wheel 20
• the mjectors 26 are arranged on a circular arc around the axis A1 whose diameter corresponds to the diameter of the notched wheel, and they are spaces from one another along this arc by a distance corresponding to the distance separating two consecutive notches 22 from the wheel 22.
• the five mjectors 26 can inject product into five preforms carried by the wheel 20.
• the support 28 is controlled according to an alternating movement in rotation about the axis A1, the control of the movement being such that, during at least one phase of this movement, the mjectors 26 exactly follow the movement of movement of the preforms which are carried by the wheel 20
• the reciprocating movement of the support 28 is controlled by a two-cam system
• the device comprises a first cam 30 which has the shape of a plate whose contour forms a cam path.
• the cam 30 is intended to be driven in rotation about a central axis A2 which, in the example illustrated, is parallel to the axis A1 but distinct from the latter.
• the movable support 28 comprises a first cam follower 32 which is for example made in the form of a roller and which is intended to roll on the edge of the first cam
• the first cam 30 is intended to be rotated by the same shaft 34 as that which drives the notched wheel 20, by means of a pair of gears 36, 38 which are dimensioned so that the cam 30 rotates twice as fast around its axis A2 as the wheel 20 around its axis A1, the directions of rotation being opposite.
• the cam 30 is symmetrical about its axis A2 in the sense that two points on the edge of the plate which are diametrically opposite with respect to the axis A2 are located equidistant from the axis A2.
• the cam follower 32 is designed to remain permanently in abutment against the cam path formed by the edge of the first cam 30. This could be ensured by an elastic return system, for example a spring interposed between the movable support 28 and a fixed frame element for forcing the roller 32 to bear on the cam.
• an elastic return system for example a spring interposed between the movable support 28 and a fixed frame element for forcing the roller 32 to bear on the cam.
• a second cam 40 which is integral with the first cam 30, which has a profile complementary to the first cam 30, and which is designed to cooperate with a second cam follower 42 linked to the support 28.
• the second cam 40 is therefore also driven in rotation about the axis A2, the profile of this second cam also being symmetrical with respect to the axis A2.
• the second cam follower 42 is not rigidly connected to the support 28.
• the second cam follower 42 is brought to a end of a lever 44 which is rotatably mounted by its other end 46 on the movable support 28.
• the axis of rotation A3 of the lever 44 relative to the support 28 is parallel to the axes A1 and A2.
• the lever 44 has a protrusion 50 on which is mounted a stop finger 48 which can slide along its axis A4 relative to the protrusion 50.
• This finger 48 is intended to come into abutment against an abutment surface 52 of the support 28, this surface being positioned on the support so as to force the second cam follower 42 against the second cam 40.
• the action of the second cam 40 forces the support 28 in the opposite direction to what the first cam 30 does.
• the two cams 30, 40 and the two cam followers 32, 42 are arranged in such a way that 'They force each other to bear on the cam tracks, so that the angular position of the movable support 28 is always perfectly defined whatever the angular position of the two cams.
• the sliding finger 48 and the elastic washers 51 make it possible to make up for the operating clearances
• the two-cam system can also be replaced by a system comprising a single plate-shaped cam in one face of which a groove in closed loop would be dug.
• the groove would then have two opposite opposite edges making it possible to guide a cam follower linked to the support in the two directions of the reciprocating movement.
• the cams 30, 40 have an axis of rotation A2 parallel but distinct from the axis A1 of rotation of the support 28.
• This arrangement makes it possible to use a particularly simple cam drive system.
• FIGS. 5A to 5F the notched wheel 20 is illustrated and, on this wheel, two series 12a and 12b of preforms engaged in consecutive notches 22 of the wheel 20.
• the wheel 20 is rotated continuously around of its axis A1, in this case counterclockwise if one refers to FIGS. 5A to 5F.
• FIG. 5A corresponds to an angular position of the cams 30, 40 around their axis A2 for which the support is in an extreme position. Relative to the direction of rotation of the wheel 20, and therefore to the direction of travel of the preforms 12 carried by the wheel 20, this position will be described as the upstream extreme position.
• This extreme upstream position corresponds to a turning point of the reciprocating movement of the support 28, so that the speed of the support at this point is zero.
• the first series of preforms 12a is offset upstream relative to the injectors 26 carried by the support.
• the position of the support illustrated in FIG. 5B marks the start of a TRACKING phase during which, for a certain period, the wheel 20 and the support 28 have substantially the same speed. In this way, throughout this phase of the movement, the injectors move so as to remain just above the preforms in order to be able to inject a product there.
• This FOLLOW-UP phase continues until the end of FOLLOW-UP position which is illustrated in FIG. 5C, in which it can be seen that the mjectors 26 are still in line with the preforms 12a, although the latter have continued their scrolling movement linked to the rotation of the wheel 20.
• the duration of this monitoring phase can of course be adjusted as required by an appropriate drawing of the cams 30, 40.
• FIG. 5D the extreme downstream position of the support 28 has been illustrated. Between the positions of FIGS. 5C and 5D, the support has gradually slowed down so that, in the position of FIG. 5 D, have a zero speed. preforms 12a of the first series are now offset downstream with respect to the series of injectors 26. This position therefore corresponds to a second turning point of the reciprocating movement of the support 28.
• the cams 30, 40 have at the same time made a U-turn and, because of their profile which has a central symmetry with respect to the axis A2, the operation of the device can then continue in a similar manner to that which has was previously described, the mjectors 26 then having to follow the preforms 12b of the second series
• the duration of the forward step of the movement which corresponds to the possible time for the projection of product onto the moving objects, represents only about a quarter to a third of the total duration of a complete cycle. of movement
• this ratio could easily be varied, but, as it is, it makes it possible to have reversal steps which do not impose too abrupt variations in speed on the support
• This advantage presupposes that the durations of the forward stages and of the movement reversal stages are of the same order of magnitude, that is to say that the ratio between the duration of the stage and the shortest duration is less than 10
• the amplitude of the reciprocating movement of the support 28 is relatively limited so that the injectors 26 can be supplied with product by a fixed reservoir connected to the injectors by one or more flexible pipes. Such an arrangement is therefore much simpler that if you had to use a rotary distributor
• a device incorporating the teachings of the invention can be used for the treatment of other objects, such as plugs. It can also be used to treat other predetermined places of an object, such as for example, in the case of a preform or a bottle, the threaded outer part of the neck.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
• Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
• Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
• Formation And Processing Of Food Products (AREA)
• Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
• Confectionery (AREA)
• Consolidation Of Soil By Introduction Of Solidifying Substances Into Soil (AREA)
• On-Site Construction Work That Accompanies The Preparation And Application Of Concrete (AREA)
• Casting Or Compression Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
• Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

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ID=8847028

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (15)

Families Citing this family (12)

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• 2000
  • 2000-02-16 FR FR0001872A patent/FR2804938B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2001
  • 2001-01-23 AT AT01907670T patent/ATE276837T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-01-23 ES ES01907670T patent/ES2228809T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-01-23 US US10/182,404 patent/US6681816B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-01-23 BR BRPI0108345-7A patent/BR0108345B1/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-01-23 PT PT01907670T patent/PT1257371E/pt unknown
  • 2001-01-23 CA CA002396556A patent/CA2396556C/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-01-23 EP EP01907670A patent/EP1257371B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-01-23 CN CNB018051049A patent/CN1242855C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-01-23 AU AU35582/01A patent/AU776470B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2001-01-23 DE DE60105765T patent/DE60105765T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-01-23 MX MXPA02007825A patent/MXPA02007825A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2001-01-23 WO PCT/FR2001/000209 patent/WO2001060536A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 2001-01-23 JP JP2001559620A patent/JP3650753B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-01-23 KR KR10-2002-7009539A patent/KR100506372B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation

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