Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
  • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
  • A61L2/08—Radiation
  • A61L2/10—Ultraviolet radiation
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
  • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
  • A61L2/08—Radiation
  • A61L2/085—Infrared radiation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
  • B29B13/00—Conditioning or physical treatment of the material to be shaped
  • B29B13/08—Conditioning or physical treatment of the material to be shaped by using wave energy or particle radiation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
  • B29C49/4252—Auxiliary operations prior to the blow-moulding operation not otherwise provided for
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
  • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
  • A61L2202/11—Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
  • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
  • A61L2202/16—Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
  • A61L2202/20—Targets to be treated
  • A61L2202/23—Containers, e.g. vials, bottles, syringes, mail
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
  • B29C49/46—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations characterised by using particular environment or blow fluids other than air
  • B29C2049/4673—Environments
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
  • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
  • B29C2949/0715—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration the preform having one end closed
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/02—Combined blow-moulding and manufacture of the preform or the parison
  • B29C49/06—Injection blow-moulding
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
  • B29C49/42414—Treatment of preforms, e.g. cleaning or spraying water for improved heat transfer
  • B29C49/42416—Purging or cleaning the preforms
  • B29C49/42418—Purging or cleaning the preforms for sterilizing
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
  • B29C49/4268—Auxiliary operations during the blow-moulding operation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
  • B29C49/4273—Auxiliary operations after the blow-moulding operation not otherwise provided for
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2667/00—Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
  • B29K2667/003—PET, i.e. poylethylene terephthalate

Definitions

• the invention relates to an assembly consisting of a decontamination device and at least one preform, an installation and a method for manufacturing a sterile container.
• the invention more particularly relates to an assembly comprising a device for decontaminating the interior of preforms and at least one thermoplastic preform for the manufacture of a container, in which the preform comprises a neck which extends axially by a closed body. by a bottom and which defines an access opening inside said preform.
• decontamination devices are known for the implementation of decontamination treatment (also known as sanitizing or sterilization) of the interior of at least one thermoplastic preform, such as than PET.
• Such devices are used to decontaminate in particular the interior of preforms which are intended to be transformed into containers, the sterile containers obtained being able to receive foodstuffs.
• the decontamination treatments applied are intended to destroy, or at least reduce, the presence of microbiological organisms or microorganisms, such as in particular germs, bacteria, spores, molds, etc.
• decontamination devices in those implementing a so-called “chemical” decontamination resulting from bactericidal action, virucidal, fungicidal, etc. at least one sterilizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) in particular.
• sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) in particular.
• WO-A1 -2006 / 136499 discloses an example of such a decontamination of the interior of a thermoplastic preform by means of a condensation deposition of a sterilizing agent film.
• the purpose of the present invention is in particular to propose an alternative to chemical decontamination by means of a set including in particular a decontamination device for decontaminating the inside of a preform by irradiation.
• the invention proposes an assembly comprising a device for decontaminating the interior of preforms and at least one preform of the type described above, characterized in that the said decontamination device comprises at least one support member carrying means of decontamination. by irradiation which consist of semiconductor-type components intended to be introduced through the opening inside said preform to selectively emit at least one ultraviolet radiation inside the preform to be decontaminated.
• the irradiation decontamination is carried out before the transformation of the preform into a container.
• the internal surface to be decontaminated of a preform is less than that of the final container (bottle, bottle, pot, etc.) so that the decontamination of a preform is more economical, in particular thanks to a lower energy consumption. .
• the inner surface of the wall of a preform does not have raised elements so that , no problem of shadows and surfaces masked radiation does not arise with a preform.
• a preform has reduced accessibility at least because of the unique access to its internal volume closed by the opening defined by the neck of the preform.
• the value of the internal diameter of the neck of a preform is generally between 20 and 35 mm for preforms intended to be transformed into bottles, these values are however not limiting and given only as examples. If the neck is a part of the preform which - by its internal diameter - determines the constraints of accessibility to the internal volume of the preform, it is however not always the only part to take into consideration.
• the body of the preform which may comprise at least one axial section having an internal diameter less than or substantially equal to the inner diameter of the neck defining the opening.
• a preform is manufactured by injecting thermoplastic material into a mold, the injection point being located at the bottom of the preform.
• the fact that the radial dimensions of at least one section of the body, for example that of the body directly adjacent to the neck or the bottom of the preform, are smaller than those of the neck is such as to facilitate the demolding of the preform after manufacturing.
• a preform with a total height of 80 mm and whose internal neck diameter is generally equal to a value of 22 mm will for example have an internal diameter on the adjacent body section at the bottom whose value will be between 16 and 17 mm.
• the semiconductor components forming the decontamination means are able to be introduced with their support member inside the preform, through the opening of the neck and beyond into the internal volume. closed which is circumferentially delimited by the inner surface of the wall of the neck, the body and the bottom of the preform.
• the decontamination means according to the invention are indeed not only able to be introduced through the small diameter opening of the neck of the preform but also beyond in the body and near the bottom, without however coming into contact with the inner surface.
• the decontamination means according to the invention are arranged in close proximity to the inner surface and irradiate the inside of the preform, more precisely and the whole of the inner surface of the wall of the preform by means of said less ultraviolet radiation emitted by the semiconductor components. Due to the fact that the source emitting radiation (s) formed by the semiconductor-type components is introduced directly inside the preform, is received in the internal volume, the power emitted by each component is used optimally without any loss, said at least one ultraviolet radiation traveling a short distance before irradiating the surface of the wall lying generally vis-à-vis.
• Irradiation by the radiation (s) emitted by the decontamination means causes the destruction of all or the majority of the aforementioned microorganisms (germs, bacteria, spores, molds, etc.) present inside the preform and allows, after processing of said decontaminated preform, to obtain a sterile container.
• the amount of microorganisms is countable by counting after washing, filtration and cultivation operations in particular, a logarithmic reduction in the number of microorganisms, for example the so-called order of 3D, or 3Log equivalent to 1000 units (10 3 ).
• the inside of the preform is sterilized with decontamination levels that can reach values of the order of at least 3Log and up to 6Log.
• the decontamination means are capable of selectively emitting at least one ultraviolet radiation having at least one main line having a wavelength between
• the decontamination means are able to emit a combination of radiations further comprising at least one ultraviolet radiation of "UVC” type and / or ultraviolet radiation of "UVA” type, advantageously combined. At least one of the ultraviolet radiation is combined with at least one other infrared or "IR” type radiation, preferably both UVC and UVA ultraviolet radiation.
• Such an irradiating combination of at least two radiations makes it possible to obtain a synergistic effect by which the irradiated microorganisms are destroyed with higher levels of reduction in the number of microorganisms.
• the direct treatment applied with such a radiating combination of radiations makes it possible to obtain a destruction efficiency on a large number of microorganisms, each of the microorganisms generally presenting a greater vulnerability to one in particular of the emitted radiation. .
• the Applicant has been able to establish that the synergistic effect of such an irradiating combination stems from the fact that, for example, the molds are more sensitive to infrared radiation while the bacteria will be more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
• the decontaminant action of the infrared radiation results from the contribution which is made of a large quantity of heat capable of altering the deoxyribonucleic acid (or DNA) but of causing above all an alteration of the membrane of the microorganism, see implosion of the microorganism unable to dissipate it, to evacuate it.
• ultraviolet radiation results from different phenomena and especially from their ability to cross the membrane of the microorganism to alter the deoxyribonucleic acid (or DNA) of the nucleus, which is why ultraviolet UVC and UVA radiation are particularly capable, by altering the DNA, of inhibiting mitosis.
• the irradiation decontamination device advantageously makes it possible to reach decontamination levels which are at least equivalent to those obtained with chemical decontamination or sterilization, of which it is therefore an alternative that can be applied industrially.
• the emitting source carried by said member is brought close to the wall delimiting the closed internal volume, vis-à-vis the surface, so as to obtain a significant irradiation of microorganisms and thus the guarantee of their massive and rapid destruction.
• the decontamination of the interior of the preform is obtained with a short irradiation time which therefore does not affect the production rates of containers.
• At least one of the components forming said decontamination means emits ultraviolet radiation of "C" type having at least one main line having a wavelength of between 100 nm and 280 nm;
• At least one of the components forming the decontamination means emits ultraviolet radiation of type "A" having at least one main line having a wavelength of between 315 nm and 400 nm;
• the decontamination means consist of components forming at least a first group of component (s) and a second group of component (s), and at least the first group of component (s) consists of at least one component which emits ultraviolet radiation having at least one main line having a wavelength between 100 nm and 400 nm;
• the second group of component (s) consists of at least one component that emits infrared radiation having at least one main line having a wavelength between 780 nm and 1 mm;
• said decontamination device comprises actuation means selectively controlled to cause a relative displacement between the support member and the preform so as to temporarily introduce the irradiation decontamination means into the interior of the preform;
• the decontamination means consist of components which are arranged on all or part of the height of the section of the support member intended to be received inside the preform;
• the decontamination means consist of components which are arranged over the entire periphery of the organ carrier for emitting radiation in all directions, over substantially 360 °, so as to decontaminate the interior of the preform;
• the component support member is selectively rotated to sweep the interior of the preform by means of at least one ultraviolet radiation;
• the decontamination device comprises a control unit selectively controlling the components to control the emission or not of said at least one ultraviolet radiation;
• the component support member is constituted by a drawing rod of a preform molding unit for the manufacture of containers;
• the decontamination device comprises means for cooling the components, said cooling means being constituted at least by the support member discharging at least by conduction the heat produced in operation by said components;
• the support member comprises a cooling circuit for selectively establishing a circulation of a heat transfer fluid inside the support member
• At least part of the components forming the decontamination means are light-emitting diodes
• At least a part of the components forming the decontamination means are laser diodes.
• the device for decontaminating the assembly according to the invention is used in a facility for manufacturing sterile containers which are obtained from preforms previously decontaminated by irradiation before their transformation.
• the invention proposes an installation for manufacturing sterile containers from thermoplastic preforms comprising a neck which extends axially by a body closed by a bottom and which delimits an access opening inside said preform, said installation comprising at least:
• a blowing machine for converting, at least by injection of a fluid under pressure, said preforms in containers; characterized in that said installation comprises at least one device for decontaminating the preforms comprising at least one support member carrying irradiation decontamination means which consist of semiconductor-type components intended to be introduced through the opening to the interior of said preform for selectively emitting at least one ultraviolet radiation inside the preform to be decontaminated.
• the decontamination device is capable of being arranged, according to the direction of movement of the preform flow in the installation, upstream, in or downstream of the thermal conditioning oven.
• said decontamination device is arranged upstream of the thermal conditioning oven.
• said decontamination device is integrated in the thermal conditioning oven, in particular in the device for transporting the preforms between the inlet and the outlet of the oven.
• said decontamination device is arranged downstream of the thermal conditioning oven, in particular integrated with the means for transferring preforms from the furnace or integrated into the blowing machine.
• the invention also proposes a process for manufacturing a sterile container from a thermoplastic preform, said process comprising at least:
• thermoplastic preform an initial step of manufacturing a thermoplastic preform
• said method comprises at least one intermediate step of decontaminating at least the inside of a preform consisting of at least:
• irradiation decontamination means formed by semiconductor-type components capable of selectively emitting at least one ultraviolet radiation; - controlling said semiconductor-type components to cause the emission of at least one ultraviolet radiation to irradiate the interior of the preform;
• the method comprises a step of thermal conditioning of the preform before the final step of converting the preform into a container.
• the final step consists at least in injecting a fluid under pressure inside a preform that has been thermally conditioned and disposed in a container molding unit.
• the decontaminated preform is thus transformed into a sterile container in a molding unit, in particular by blowing or by stretch-blow molding.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a device for decontaminating an assembly according to the invention and illustrating a support member on which semiconductor-type components forming the means are mounted; irradiation decontamination of said device;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the free end of the support member of the decontamination device according to FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the support member of the decontamination device according to FIG. 1, which represents cooling means for the decontamination means;
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an example of a preform to be decontaminated before its transformation into a container by means of a decontamination device;
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the successive stages of decontamination of the inside of a preform by the irradiation decontamination device of FIGS. 1 to 3;
• - Figure 6 is a schematic view showing an installation for the manufacture of a sterile container from a preform decontaminated by a decontamination device;
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a molding unit comprising a drawing rod forming the support member of the decontamination means and which illustrates said unit in the open position and in the closed position.
• FIGS. 1 to 3 show a decontamination device 10 according to an embodiment given in a non-limiting manner.
• the device 10 is used to carry out the decontamination of the inside of at least one preform 12 as represented in FIG. 4.
• An assembly 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 5 comprises at least one preform 12 to be decontaminated by means of said associated decontamination device 10.
• the preform 12 is characterized in particular by a wall 14 delimiting a closed internal volume 16 accessible only through an opening 18 delimited circumferentially by a neck.
• the decontamination device 10 will be described according to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.
• the decontamination device 10 comprises at least one support member 20 which is capable of being introduced selectively through the opening 18 inside the preform 12.
• the decontamination device 10 comprises irradiation decontamination means 22 which consist of semiconductor-type components.
• the semiconductor-type components are capable of selectively emitting at least one ultra-violet radiation capable of destroying the microorganisms or at least of inhibiting their development by preventing mitosis in order to sterilize the interior of the preform 12 and any particularly the surface of the inner wall 14.
• the decontamination device 10 comprises at least one support member 20 which carries irradiation decontamination means 22 which consist of semiconductor-type components intended to be introduced through the opening 18 inside the preform 12 to selectively emit at least one ultraviolet radiation inside the preform 12 so as to sterilize the interior of the preform 12.
• irradiation decontamination means 22 consist of semiconductor-type components intended to be introduced through the opening 18 inside the preform 12 to selectively emit at least one ultraviolet radiation inside the preform 12 so as to sterilize the interior of the preform 12.
• the support member 20 of the decontamination device 10 generally has a rod shape that extends rectilinearly in the vertical direction of the trihedron (L, V, T) shown in FIG.
• the support member 20 has, in section by a horizontal plane (L, T), a polygonal section adapted to facilitate the mounting of the components in particular because of the flatness of the faces.
• the support member 20 is of square section. In a variant, the support member 20 has a section of pentagonal, hexagonal, and so on. or else triangular.
• the components are disposed over the entire periphery of the support member 20, preferably in a regular manner on the vertical faces of the member 20.
• the components are arranged vertically from the free end of the support member 20 at least over a given height "h" corresponding, for example, to the portion of the member 20 intended to penetrate inside the preform 12.
• the support member 20 comprises components on its lower face 24, here horizontal, located at its free end as shown more particularly in Figure 2.
• the support member 20 has no components at its free end, particularly depending on the geometry of this end as a peak shape leading to the absence of horizontal bottom face.
• the components forming said decontamination means 22 are arranged on the support member 20 so as to emit radiation in all directions, over substantially 360 °, in order to sterilize the entire interior of the preform 12.
• the reflections of the emitted radiation (s) occurring inside the preform also contribute to perfecting the sterilization of the interior of said preform (12).
• the component support member 20 has a main axis X which extends in the vertical direction of the trihedron (L, V, T) of FIG.
• the support member 20 is at least movably mounted in translation in the vertical direction, sliding between at least a first position and a second position.
• the support member 20 is fixed vertically along the X axis and the preform 12 is then advantageously displaceable selectively to introduce, through the opening 18, at least the part of the bearing support member 20. the components in the preform 12.
• the support member 20 and the preform 12 may be moved relative to one another, at least one of which is movable relative to the other.
• the support member 20 is adapted to be selectively rotated about the axis X so as to enable the inside of the preform 12 to be scanned by said at least one ultraviolet radiation emitted by the radiating source constitute the means 22 for decontamination.
• said components forming the irradiation decontamination means 22 constitute a source of ultraviolet radiation having at least one main line having a wavelength of between 100 nm and 400 nm.
• the different types of radiation in the spectral band of wavelength between 100 nm and 400 nm corresponding to said ultraviolet radiation are conventionally distinguished by letters.
• ultraviolet radiation of "C” type corresponds to a wavelength of between 100 nm and 280 nm
• ultraviolet type “B” radiation corresponds to a wavelength of between 280.degree. nm and 315 nm
• ultraviolet radiation of type "A" at a wavelength of between 315 nm and 400 nm.
• At least one component forming the decontamination means 22 is capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation of "C" type, that is to say a radiation having at least one main line having a wavelength of between 100 nm. and 280 nm.
• said main ray of type "C" ultraviolet radiation has a wavelength of between 250 nm and 275 nm.
• the wavelength range between 250 nm and 275 nm corresponds to the values for which the absorption of radiation by deoxyribonucleic acid (or DNA) of microorganisms is the most important and therefore the destruction of microorganisms. Max.
• the deoxyribonucleic acid comprises four nitrogenous bases, namely adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C) and guanine (G), which respectively exhibit absorption characteristics of a different ultraviolet radiation.
• A adenine
• T thymine
• C cytosine
• G guanine
• said main line of type "C” ultraviolet radiation has a wavelength of 265 nm.
• the value of 265 nm corresponds to the absorption peak of the ultraviolet radiation by the deoxyribonucleic acid of microorganisms such as for example Bacillus "Bacillus Subtilis”.
• the components forming the decontamination means 22 are capable of emitting different radiations, including within the spectral band corresponding to the ultraviolet rays.
• at least one component forming the decontamination means 22 is capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation of type "A" or UVA having at least one main line having a wavelength of between 315 nm and 400 nm.
• the means 22 for decontamination may therefore consist of components that differ from each other at least by the characteristics of the emitted radiation.
• the decontamination means 22 then comprise at least a first group of component (s) and a second group of component (s).
• At least the first group of component (s) consists of at least one component capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation having at least one main line having a wavelength of between 100 nm and 400 nm.
• the decontamination means 22 may comprise only components emitting ultraviolet radiation (UVC) or components emitting ultraviolet radiation (UVA) to form said first group of components.
• UVC ultraviolet radiation
• UVA ultraviolet radiation
• the decontamination means 22 comprise components of each type, ie a first group of components capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation of type "C” and a second group of components able to emit ultraviolet radiation of type "A".
• the second group of component (s) is then composed of at least one component capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation of type "A" having at least one main line having a wavelength of between 315 nm and 400 nm, c i.e., also between 100 nm and 400 nm.
• the second group of component (s) consists of at least one component capable of emitting radiation having at least one main line having a wavelength out of the spectral band corresponding to ultraviolet which is between 100 nm and 400 nm.
• the second group of component (s) consists of at least one component capable of emitting radiation infrared having at least one main line having a wavelength between 780 nm and 1 mm.
• the means 22 for decontaminating the device 10 consequently comprise at least three groups of different components, respectively able to emit ultraviolet radiation of type "C" and "A” for the first and second groups, as well as radiation. infrared for the third group.
• the decontamination means 22 are advantageously capable of combining at least two radiations of a certain type, at least one of which belongs to the ultraviolet radiation, to sterilize the inside of the preform by irradiation.
• the number of components of a given type forming the first group is for example different from that of the second group of components, so that depending on the number of respective components of each type, it is possible to vary in proportion the types of components. radiation emitted.
• the power of the radiation emitted by a given group of components is also likely to differ from that of another group of components.
• At least a portion of the components forming said decontamination means 22 are light-emitting diodes.
• the light-emitting diodes have a narrow emission spectral band around the main line chosen.
• Such light-emitting diodes are, for example, according to their acronym in English, LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) or VCSELs (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Light) or EEDs (Edge Emitting Diode).
• the decontamination means 22 are light-emitting diodes, preferably said diodes are of the LED type.
• FIG. 1 shows, in detail in a magnifying glass, an exemplary electroluminescent diode mainly comprising an upper part 26 intended to be traversed by the radiation emitted from a lower part housed in a housing 28 from which an anode extends. 25 and a cathode 27 for the power supply of the diode.
• the light-emitting diode shown in FIG. 1 is only a non-limiting example of a light-emitting diode.
• the upper part 26 of the diode is advantageously a part having optical properties for diffusing and / or reflecting the radiation emitted by the adjacent semiconductor means forming the lower part housed in the housing 28.
• said semiconductor means correspond to different semiconductor material layers capable of emitting radiation, said layers being generally supported by a “base” which is more commonly called “submount” in English.
• the light-emitting diode or laser forming the semiconductor component may in particular not comprise a housing 28.
• the diode is mounted on the support member 20 directly via the base ("submount").
• the support member 20 is then an element participating in the dissipation of the heat produced by the component in operation.
• heat sink The element associated with the base (“submount”) to ensure the function of heat exchanger able to dissipate heat is generally called “heat sink” in English.
• housing 28 advantageously allows, for equal area, an implantation of a larger number of components.
• a reduction in the overall size of the decontamination device is obtained by integrating the components to the support member 20, so that said components do not in particular protrude and are protected from the environment (humidity, dust, etc.).
• the components are fully integrated in the thickness of the support member 20 to not protrude from the faces of said member, whereby the compactness of the decontamination device is increased.
• the light-emitting diodes may be individual components but are preferably subsets, for example bar-shaped or plate-shaped, each subassembly having a plurality of diodes.
• the decontamination means 22 comprise a first group of light-emitting diodes capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation of the UVC type and a second group of light-emitting diodes able to emit ultraviolet radiation of the UVA type.
• the diodes referenced 22C correspond to the first group emitting UVC-type radiation and the diodes 22A correspond to the second group emitting UVA-type radiations, each of the LED-type LEDs 22C and 22A having been represented with FIGS. different patterns in Part 26 so as to distinguish them.
• the decontamination means 22 comprise light emitting diodes emitting infrared radiation in combination with other diodes emitting ultraviolet radiation type UVC and / or UVA type.
• At least a portion of the components forming the means of decontamination of the decontamination device are constituted by laser diodes.
• the laser diodes have in fact a monochromatic or pseudo-monochromatic type emission making it possible to obtain a radiation having a main line of a given wavelength.
• the decontamination device 10 comprises cooling means 30 for cooling the semiconductor components forming the decontamination means 22.
• the semiconductor-type components such as diodes produce heat in operation, the components are therefore advantageously cooled especially to ensure optimal operation.
• the cooling means 30 consist, for example, of the support member 20 which is capable of conduction-removing the heat generated during operation by the components mounted on the member 20.
• the choice of the material constituting said support member 20 will be a metal material having good properties of thermal conductivity.
• the support member 20 may be provided with means for dissipating the heat transmitted by conduction by the components, for example a radiator arranged on a portion of the support member which is not inserted inside the body. preform 12, said radiator may be associated with a fan to force the heat exchange between the radiator and the air.
• the cooling means 30 is a means for regulating the temperature in order to maintain the components under optimum operating conditions.
• the support member 20 incorporates a cooling circuit capable of selectively establishing a circulation of a heat transfer fluid inside the component support member 20.
• the cooling circuit comprises at least two ducts, respectively at least one intake duct 32 and at least one exhaust duct 34.
• the ducts 32, 34 are respectively arranged in the support member 20, preferably forming the cooling fluid of the components, a liquid is intended to be circulated in said ducts 32, 34 of the cooling circuit.
• the cooling circuit comprises a fluid evacuation duct 34 which is arranged in central position and connected to several conduits 32 for the admission of the coolant.
• the intake ducts 32 surround said discharge duct 34 and are adjacent to the faces of the support member 20 on which the components are mounted.
• all of the ducts 32 and 34 are made directly in the material constituting the support member 20 which conductionally transmits the heat produced by the components, from the faces of the support member 20 to the intake ducts 34 providing cooling, the heat absorbed then being discharged by the cooling fluid via the duct 34 for evacuation.
• the heat transfer fluid of the cooling circuit is constituted by air flowing in at least one internal channel of the support member 20.
• the decontamination device 10 comprises a control unit 36 capable of selectively controlling each of the components or group of components to control the emission or not of said at least one ultraviolet radiation.
• control unit 36 of the decontamination device 10 is capable of selectively controlling actuating means 38 to cause relative movement between the support member 20 and the preform 12 in order to carry out a decontamination cycle.
• the support member 20 is slidable in the vertical direction, the actuating means 38 are therefore associated with the support member 20.
• the actuating means 38 consist, for example, of at least one actuator, such as an electric motor or a jack.
• the decontamination cycle comprises successively at least one introduction phase, through said opening 18, means 22 for decontamination in the closed internal volume 16 for sterilizing the interior of the preform 12 and an extraction phase, through the opening 18, means 22 for decontaminating out of said closed internal volume 16 of the preform 12.
• the preform 12 shown in FIG. 4 is only one example of a thermoplastic preform which is therefore given in a non-limiting manner, the geometric characteristics of a preform being in particular dependent on the desired final container, such as a bottle. , a bottle, a pot, etc., of its capacity.
• the preform 12 comprises a body 40 whose wall 14 delimits the closed internal volume 16, a portion of the wall 14 forming a bottom 42 opposite which, in the vertical direction of the trihedron (L, V, T), a neck 44 defines said opening 18 for access to the internal volume 16.
• the preform 12 has a main axis O which extends in the vertical direction.
• the neck 44 of the preform is in its final form and is connected to the body 40, here by a flange 46 extending radially outwardly.
• the neck 44 of the preform is preferably provided with a thread 48 intended to allow the subsequent closing by plugging of the final container.
• the final sterile container is obtained after transformation of the decontaminated preform 12.
• the transformation of the preform 12 is obtained by means of at least one pressurized fluid introduced through the opening 18 inside the preform 12 disposed in a molding unit comprising a mold corresponding to the container.
• the fluid is air under pressure and the container obtained by blowing or stretch-blow molding the preform.
• thermoplastic preform is pre-conditioned thermally in an oven in order to soften the constituent material which corresponds to the assumption that the preform is not immediately transformed after its manufacture by injection.
• Containers such as bottles are used in the food industry for the packaging of many liquids such as water, fruit juice or soda, milk, etc.
• decontamination devices are used to decontaminate at least the interior of the preform 12.
• thermoplastic preform intended to be transformed into a sterile container.
• At least the inside of the preform is decontaminated chemically by depositing, by condensation on the inner surface of the preform, a fog film of a sterilizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ).
• a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ).
• thermoplastic preform such as that shown in FIG. 4 and as recalled in the preamble
• the geometric characteristics are directly related to the type of container desired and often hinder the implementation of the decontamination, since the reduced dimensions of the opening 18 delimited by the neck 44 to the length and narrowness of the body 40 extending from said neck 44 to the bottom 42.
• the inner diameter of the neck 44 of the preform 12 determines the opening 18 and even if the values vary depending on the container, it will be understood that the decontamination device 10 must advantageously have a small footprint.
• the neck 44 is not necessarily the part of the preform 12 having the smallest dimensions.
• the preform 12 illustrated in Figure 4 has for example a body 40 connecting to the neck 44 by a section frustoconical, the internal diameter of the body 40 being smaller than the internal diameter of the neck 44.
• the internal space in the vicinity of the bottom 42 is also sometimes less than at the neck 44 due to a greater thickness of the wall forming the bottom 42.
• thermoplastic material constituting the preform such as for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• PET polyethylene terephthalate
• thermoplastics such as PET form a barrier to ultraviolet radiation which can not pass through the wall 14 of the preform 12.
• the irradiation decontamination treatment of the interior of a preform 12 can not be performed from the outside of the preform 12 through the wall 14.
• irradiation with ultraviolet radiation from the outside of the preform 12 may be implemented to decontaminate especially the outside of the neck 44 which constitutes a sensitive zone.
• the use of at least one ultraviolet radiation to irradiation sterilize the interior of the preform 12 requires that the ultraviolet radiation be introduced inside the preform 12.
• the emitting source itself consisting of the semiconductor components, is advantageously introduced directly inside the preform 12.
• the preform 12 and / or the support member 20 are moved to be relatively positioned relative to one another in a given processing position, the main X axis of the support member 20 and the axis O of the preform being substantially coaxial.
• the support member 20 is in the treatment position directly above the preform 12.
• the support member 20 then occupies a first position in which the member 20 is outside the preform 12 and which corresponds to a waiting position of the start of the decontamination cycle.
• the decontamination means 22 are inactive, in the standby state.
• the diodes 22C and 22A are respectively extinguished so that no ultraviolet radiation is emitted by the diodes.
• control unit 36 of the decontamination device 10 controls the actuating means 38 associated with the support member 20 to vertically move the support member 20 from the first position to at least a second position.
• the second position corresponds to an active position in which at least a portion of the support member extends inside the preform 12 to be decontaminated.
• the introduction phase of the radiation source is illustrated in (b) in FIG. 5, the actuating means 38 causing here a descent of the support member 20 towards the opening 18 of the neck 44 of the preform 12, positioned here "neck up”.
• the support member 20 then performs a rise movement towards the opening 18 of the preform 12 to be introduced inside the internal volume 16 of the preform 12 closed from the bottom 42.
• the support member 20 is mounted movably along the axis X with respect to the preform 12.
• the support member 20 is moved by the associated actuating means 38 which are selectively controlled to introduce it inside the preform 12 and then extract it.
• the support member 20 is fixed and the preform 12 adapted to be displaced for example by movably mounted gripping means.
• the free end of the support member 20 progressively penetrates inside the preform 12 through the opening 18 delimited circumferentially by the neck 44.
• control unit 36 controls the decontamination means 22 and the diodes 22C and 22A are progressively lighted, as the free end of the diode support member 20 is inserted at the same time. inside the preform 12, in the closed internal volume 16 delimited by the wall 14.
• the diodes 22C and 22A will therefore emit their ultraviolet radiation respectively as soon as the opening 18 of the neck 44 of the preform 12 passes so that, parallel to the displacement of the support member 20, the components will radiate radiation or radiation. (s) emitted the surface of the wall 14 lying opposite.
• the fact of starting the irradiation as soon as the passage 18 passes through, and without waiting for the second position to be reached, makes it possible to increase the irradiation time during the decontamination cycle.
• the support member 20 reached the second position advantageously marks a stop before running in the opposite direction, that is to say, to go back to the first position.
• the delay performed by the support member 20 is intended to irradiate the bottom 42 of the preform 12 for a sufficient period of time, which is a function of the applications.
• the diodes are represented inside the preform 12 without any pattern on the part 26 to distinguish them and this to illustrate by comparison the fact that the diodes are lit, the one or more radiation (s) issued when he was not represented (s).
• all the diodes 22C and 22A on irradiate the interior of the preform 12 with ultraviolet radiation advantageously combining UVC and UVA.
• the height "h" on which diodes are mounted on the support member 20 substantially corresponds to at least the depth of the preform 12.
• the same support member 20 can be used to process preforms 12 of different dimensions, particularly those of the body 40, the height "h” being able to vary by selectively controlling the ignition of only part of the components.
• control unit 36 of the decontamination device 10 controls the actuating means 38 associated with the support member 20 to move the support member 20 vertically. its second position towards its first position which corresponds to the extraction phase.
• the support member 20 rises vertically along the axis X and the diodes 22C and 22A are controlled by the unit 36 so as to be extinguished when they cross again the opening 18 of the neck 44 to find themselves out of the preform 12.
• Decontamination of the interior of a preform 12 comprises at least the steps of:
• the first step of introducing the radiating source into the preform 12 is obtained by controlling the actuating means 38 associated with the support member 20 for the semiconductor components. for moving said support member 20 from a first waiting position to a second working position so as to introduce the transmitting source within the closed internal volume 16 of the preform 12.
• the components such as the diodes 22C and 22A forming the decontamination means 22 are turned on selectively, at the latest when the support member 20 has reached said second position.
• the third step consists in controlling the actuating means 38 associated with the semiconductor component support member 20 to move said support member 20 in opposite directions, ie from the second working position to the first waiting position. initially occupied.
• the decontamination device 10 which has just been described constitutes an autonomous treatment device that can be integrated in a container manufacturing installation 100, such as bottles, in order to manufacture sterile containers from decontaminated preforms.
• FIG. 6 represents an example of a sterile container manufacturing installation 100, said installation 100 comprising an inlet E and an outlet S between which transfer means 102 are arranged capable of ensuring, from upstream to downstream, the circulating a stream of preforms 12 through the container manufacturing facility 120.
• the transfer means 102 comprise for example wheels which are provided with means for transporting the preforms 12 such as notches or clamps.
• the installation 100 comprises at least one oven 104 for the thermal conditioning of the preforms 12, a molding machine 106 (generally called “blower") in which the preforms are converted into containers.
• a molding machine 106 generally called “blower”
• the installation 100 comprises, downstream of the molding machine 106, a machine (not shown) for filling and plugging the sterile containers 120 leaving said molding unit 106 and which are transferred by means 102 arranged to the S. exit
• such an installation 100 comprises at least one irradiation decontamination device 10 for decontaminating at least the interior of a preform 12.
• the decontamination device 10 is arranged upstream of the furnace 104 for thermal conditioning of the preforms.
• the arrangement of the decontamination device 10 upstream of the furnace 104 is only a non-limiting example of implantation of the device 10 in a facility 100.
• the decontamination device 10 can be integrated in various ways in the sterile container manufacturing facility 100 for decontaminating a flow of preforms 12 intended to be transformed therein.
• the decontamination device 10 is integrated with the device 108 for transporting the oven 104 or arranged downstream of the oven 104, in particular between the oven 104 and the blowing machine 106, see also integrated with the blowing machine 106.
• the component support member 20 is constituted by a rod of a cleaning system (not shown) of the interior of a preform 12 which is arranged upstream of the furnace 104.
• the rod then has a dual function on the one hand that of cleaning and, on the other hand, that of decontamination.
• the stem of the cleaning system is generally hollow in order to allow a flow of air used to perform the dedusting, the air circulating therein can advantageously form a cooling fluid components.
• the decontamination device 10 thus performs the functions of dedusting and decontaminating the preforms 12 intended to be converted into sterile containers 120 by means of the installation 100.
• the support member 20 of the decontamination means 22 is connected in displacement to the gripping means of the preform 12 that comprises a preform transport device 108 fitted to the thermal conditioning oven 104.
• gripping means for preforms also called “mandrels” or “spinners” are known from the state of the art, see for example WO 00/48819.
• the gripping means of the preforms 12 are linked in displacement to a transport device 108 associated with the furnace 104 so as to carry out in a closed loop the heating path during which the preforms 12 are conditioned thermally by means of heating 110 forming a source infrared radiation, such as lamps.
• the component support member 20 is movably mounted so that it can be retracted temporarily during the cladding and stripping operations of the preform 12 on the gripping means and this in order not to interfere.
• the support member 20 is advantageously slidably controlled through the gripping means, once the preform 12 has been fitted, to introduce the semiconductor components inside the internal volume 16 of the preform 12.
• the irradiation decontamination treatment of the inner surface of the wall of the preform 12 is then performed simultaneously with the thermal conditioning, whereby the decontamination is performed in masked time.
• the decontamination device 10 is integrated with preform transfer means 102 such as those arranged for example between the outlet of the oven 104 and the blowing machine 106.
• the decontamination is then carried out in masked time and the abovementioned advantages remain.
• FIG. 6 shows schematically an exemplary embodiment of a decontamination device 10.
• the decontamination device 10 is arranged upstream of the furnace 104 but could be arranged elsewhere in the installation 100 as has just been described.
• the oven 104 is thus fed with a stream of decontaminated preforms 12 from said decontamination device 10.
• the decontamination device 10 has the sole function of decontaminating the interior of the preforms 12.
• the decontamination device 10 is of rotary type and at least the preforms 12 are rotated about a central axis of the device 10.
• the device 10 comprises several decontamination stations arranged circumferentially next to each other and each comprising a support member 20 provided with means 22 for radiation decontamination.
• the support member 20 is for example a movable rod whose function is to carry the means 22 for decontamination.
• the device 10 is fed continuously with a flow of preforms 12, each preform 12 being transported in a path by means of said device 10 which are for example similar to known means, such as a notched wheel or a clamp.
• the support members 20 are then also rotatably mounted around the central axis of the device 10 and synchronized to follow a preform 12 on said determined path during which the radiation decontamination cycle is performed.
• the path traveled is for example a portion of a circle extending between an entrance where the preforms 12 are admitted in the device 10 and an outlet where the preforms 12 leave the device 10 for continue their journey towards the oven 104.
• the stations of the decontamination device 10 are aligned rectilinearly one after the other.
• the decontamination cycle implemented with the device 10 is performed on preforms 12 which are in motion so that the decontamination does not affect the production rate of the containers from the preforms 12.
• the decontamination device 10 comprises stationary stations, each preform 12 remaining temporarily immobile during the duration of the radiation decontamination cycle.
• such a device 10 is arranged upstream of the furnace 104 and the decontamination carried out on the flow of preforms 12 feeding the furnace.
• At least one buffer zone is then created in order to be able to decontaminate a batch comprising a predetermined number of preforms 12 without, however, interrupting the flow of preform 12 feeding the furnace 104.
• a batch of preforms 12 is extracted from the stream to be decontaminated in the device 10 and is then reintegrated.
• Preforms 12 are thus successively admitted, processed according to the decontamination cycle described above and discharged downstream to allow the admission of a new batch of preforms.
• the means 22 for decontaminating the device 10 comprise semiconductor-type components such as the diodes 22C and 22A able respectively to emit ultraviolet radiation of the UVC and UVA type and forming a first and a second group of components.
• the infrared heating means 110 equipping furnace 104 then constitute the components of the third group (alternatively the second group) emitting infrared radiation combining with ultraviolet UVC and / or UVA radiation.
• the infrared radiation is able to pass through the wall 14 of the preform 12 of thermoplastic material such as PET.
• the infrared radiation is therefore likely to be applied from outside the preform 12 to decontaminate the interior.
• the components of the third group (alternatively the second group) emitting infrared radiation are carried by the support member 20 and are thus also introduced inside the preform 12.
• the component support member 20 is constituted by a rod which is associated with a molding unit 112 of a molding machine 106 of the installation 100.
• such a rod is permanently mounted on the molding unit 112 in particular to avoid assembly / disassembly operations by an operator.
• the molding unit 112 comprises associated actuating means capable of being selectively controlled to retract the support member 20 from a use position to a standby position and vice versa.
• the component support member 20 is constituted by a drawing rod of the molding unit 112.
• the molding unit 112 comprises at least two half-molds 50 which are mounted movable relative to one another between at least one open position and a closed position of the unit.
• the molding unit 112 is here of the "wallet” type, that is to say that at least one of the half-molds 50 is rotatably mounted about an axis A of vertical orientation.
• the half-molds of the molding unit 112 are joined in a vertical orientation joint plane.
• Each half-mold 50 is provided with a mold cavity, the meeting of the closed impressions of the molding unit 112 determining a mold cavity.
• the molding unit 112 comprises a separate mold base complementary to the half-molds 50.
• a molding unit 112 is intended for the manufacture of a container.
• the final container is obtained from a preform 12 which, previously thermally conditioned in an oven 104, is for example blow-molded or stretch-blow molded in the molding unit 112.
• the molding unit 112 is generally one of the positions of a blowing machine 106 or "blower" of a container manufacturing installation 100.
• a "rotary" design blowing machine 106 includes a plurality of circumferentially distributed molding units 112.
• the preform 12 extends through the opening 114 of the molding unit 112, the body 40 inside the mold cavity and the neck 44 having its definitive shape remaining in the mold cavity. 'outside.
• the wall of the unit 112 comprising the mold cavity is intended to be in contact with the external surface of the body of the sterile container 120 resulting from the transformation of the decontaminated preform 12.
• the support member 20 of the means for decontaminating the device 10 is preferably a rod which is mounted to be temporarily moved inside the preform 12 and then extracted and which has a fixed length (or height) and a constant diameter.
• the support member 20 has an outer diameter which decreases along the X axis towards its free end.
• Such a variation of the diameter of the support member 20 advantageously allows to introduce it to the bottom 42 of the preform 12 even when the space is narrow.
• the support member 20 is of variable length.
• the support member 20 is a telescopic rod formed of a set of movable sections that can retract interpenetrating.
• such a telescopic type support member 20 then has an external diameter which decreases along the X axis towards its free end.
• the invention also proposes a process for manufacturing a sterile container 120 from a thermoplastic preform 12, said process comprising at least an initial step of manufacturing a preform 12 of thermoplastic material and a final step of converting said preform 12 in a container 120 and being characterized in that, between said initial and final stages, said method comprises at least one intermediate step of decontaminating at least the inside of the preform 12 consisting of at least:
• irradiation decontamination means 22 formed by semiconductor type components capable of selectively emitting at least one ultraviolet radiation
• Decontamination of the interior of the preforms 12 with a decontamination device 10 is carried out before the manufacture of the containers to directly obtain sterile containers 120.
• the sterile containers 120 obtained from the decontaminated preforms are indeed capable of being directly filled and closed, for example by plugging, in the installation 100.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Toxicology (AREA)
• Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
• Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

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• 2011
  • 2011-12-21 FR FR1162121A patent/FR2984751B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2012
  • 2012-12-20 EP EP12806477.1A patent/EP2793958A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2012-12-20 US US14/360,015 patent/US9889216B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2012-12-20 CN CN201280063183.0A patent/CN104010667A/zh active Pending
  • 2012-12-20 WO PCT/EP2012/076413 patent/WO2013092879A1/fr active Application Filing

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