EP3218164A1

EP3218164A1 - Facility for producing containers from thermoplastic material incorporating a grinding device and such a grinding device

Info

Publication number: EP3218164A1
Application number: EP15798538.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Cédric Bianchini
Original assignee: Sidel Participations SAS
Current assignee: Sidel Participations SAS
Priority date: 2014-11-10
Filing date: 2015-11-06
Publication date: 2017-09-20
Also published as: FR3028204A1; WO2016075398A1; FR3028204B1

Abstract

The invention concerns an improved grinding device (60) and a facility (10) for producing containers (12) from preforms (14) made from thermoplastic material, characterised in that said facility (10) comprises at least one grinding device (60) that is incorporated into the facility (10) in order to grind the containers (12) and/or the preforms (14) removed by at least one removal device (32, 52, 54) in order to transform them into a ground preparation (62) of thermoplastic material.

Description

"Thermoplastic container manufacturing facility incorporating a grinding device

and such a grinding device

The present invention relates to a thermoplastic container manufacturing facility incorporating a grinding device and such a grinding device.

The present invention relates more particularly to an installation for the manufacture of containers from preforms of thermoplastic material, comprising at least one machine for molding containers from hot preforms, a conveyor system associated with said machine comprising at least upstream first transfer means for supplying said machine with hot preforms and, secondarily, second conveying means for evacuating the manufactured containers, and at least one elimination device for selectively removing containers and / or preforms, in particular not compliant.

Prior art is known for installations of this type intended for the manufacture of containers, such as bottles, flasks or pots, from thermoplastic preforms such as PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate).

In such a container manufacturing facility, the management of containers and / or non-conforming preforms, ie rejects, turns out to be sometimes a more complex issue than it seems.

The management of waste requires a logistical organization for their treatment that mobilizes important means both human and mechanical (collection bins and / or containers, compactor, etc.).

While we can only welcome the downward trend in scrap rates, production rates continue to increase, requiring the ability to process a significant amount of scrap in a sometimes very short time. This is one of the reasons why waste management constantly mobilizes significant human resources and that, while the reverse is sought to reduce the presence of operators to ensure the operation of such a plant. manufacture of containers.

In an installation comprising disposal means, the waste consisting of containers and / or preforms removed are generally recovered in collection bins.

By way of nonlimiting examples intended to illustrate such means of elimination and collection of waste, reference may in particular be made to document FR-2,895,384 as well as to document WO-2013/140060 or WO-2009 / 071,792.

The removal means may be made in the form of pivoting "sword" to cause the ejection of one or more hollow body, preform or container, or using a jet of air under pressure.

When the collection bins are filled, the intervention of at least one, sometimes two, operator (s) is then required to evacuate.

If the intervention frequency of the operators depends on the scrap rate, this frequency will also vary depending on the nature of the scrap, containers or preforms.

Indeed, a container has a much larger volume than that of a preform therefore it will be understood that the filling of a container collection tray is often faster and requires a much higher frequency of intervention.

If a preform occupies a smaller volume than a container, the weight of thermoplastic material is however the same so that, in comparison with those of collection of containers, preform collection bins are often heavy increasing for operators hardness handling operations. Waste management can be organized in different ways depending on the facilities and especially the human and mechanical resources used.

The collection bins can for example be emptied into containers, usually of larger volume and most often mobile, which are moved to evacuate the waste.

A compactor is for example used thereafter to reduce the total volume of waste and especially in the case of containers.

Alternatively, the collection bins can also be movable, for example by being provided with wheels, the full bin being then replaced by an empty bin by one or more operators and the waste discharged with this bin being for example conveyed to a compactor.

The compacted waste is then generally sold by weight and the plastic of these containers and / or preforms being recycled in particular.

The volumes of waste, even compacted, also require to provide means for their storage.

In order to better understand the stakes involved in waste management, a non-limiting example will be given below.

Either a bottle manufacturing facility with a molding machine having a production capacity of 60000 bottles per hour and generally having a scrap rate of between 0.05% and 0.1% (exceptionally more), this means that up to 60 bottles per hour will be collected in a collection bin.

Considering bottles with a volume of 1.5L and a collection tank having a volume of between 250 and 300L, this gives a frequency of intervention of at least one operator to empty the tray which is less than one hour and this for the only operation of emptying the collection tray to a container, emptying operation that does not in itself usually require more than a few minutes.

In this example, it is also appropriate to consider the handling operations required to then proceed to replace the container in which the operator has successively emptied the bottle collection tank.

Depending on the volume of the container, an intervention of one or two operators to replace it may for example be required every 4 to 5 hours.

The human resources involved in the management of waste thus represent significant costs but today essential if, in the absence of intervention, a clogging of the collection means may cause a stoppage of the manufacturing facility.

It will be understood from this example that waste management involves significant logistical resources, both human and mechanical, generating associated costs that are no less important.

In the example which has just been given, the scrap rate considered corresponds to a normal operation of the container manufacturing installation, but manufacturing incidents up to a stop of the installation can still occur and require interventions of a different scale.

In the case of an incident involving, for example, a complete shutdown of the installation, the installation is then generally completely emptied before relaunching the manufacture, which requires an urgent and consequent intervention by operators to evacuate a large number of preforms and / or or containers in a minimum of time.

The object of the present invention is in particular to solve at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a new design making it possible to improve the management of the rejects constituted by the containers and / or the preforms. thermoplastic material in a container manufacturing plant.

For this purpose, the invention proposes an installation of the type described above, characterized in that said installation comprises at least one grinding device which is integrated in the installation for grinding said containers and / or preforms removed by said at least one device in order to turn them into a grind of thermoplastic material.

Advantageously, the integration of a grinding device in the installation makes it possible to eliminate the frequent handling operations carried out hitherto by at least one operator, in particular to empty the container or containers for collecting and / or preforming discarded by means for removing at least one disposal device.

Thanks to an integrated grinding device according to the invention, the emptying operations of the collection bins and / or containers are removed, allowing significant cost savings especially those related to the presence of operators.

By way of non-limiting example, the frequency of intervention of an operator to change means for collecting the ground material of thermoplastic material, such as a big-bag type bag, is then generally expressed in days and no longer in hours.

Advantageously, the compacting of the discarded containers and / or preforms is completely eliminated, whereby the costs associated with the acquisition or rental of the compaction equipment are also eliminated.

Advantageously, the grind of thermoplastic material obtained allows a much better economic value of the waste. Indeed, the selling price by weight of such a ground material formed of very fine pieces or chips of thermoplastic material is advantageously greater than that of compacted thermoplastic containers, such as bottles. By comparison, a thermoplastic grinding material is easier to recycle than compacted containers and / or preforms.

Advantageously, the crushing of the containers and / or discarded preforms makes it possible to obtain a very large reduction in the volume of rejects.

It is estimated that a volume reduction of at least 60% can be achieved by grinding the discarded preforms and the volume reduction is even more important with the grinding of containers.

In the case of containers, the rate of volume reduction is by comparison of the order of 20 times, or 95%.

By way of non-limiting example, an initial volume of 315 Liters of waste formed of 1.5L bottles is likely to be converted into a ground material having finally a volume of about 15 Liters.

Advantageously, the storage of a grind of thermoplastic material is simplified compared to that of containers and / or compacted preforms, in particular it requires a much smaller surface area.

Preferably, said at least one grinding device is arranged inside the protective enclosure of the installation, which enclosure then makes it possible to attenuate the noise generated by the mill in operation.

Advantageously, said at least one grinding device is arranged near one or more removal means for directly grinding containers and / or preforms removed by such removal means, generally by ejection.

Preferably, said at least one grinding device is arranged in front of the molding machine, either on the machine side where the transfer means of the injection molding machine are located. conveying, and advantageously close to at least one of the transfer means comprising elimination means.

Advantageously, the grinding device makes it possible selectively to take samples (s) so as to be able to carry out controls or analyzes on the manufactured containers in particular, see also on the preforms.

According to other characteristics of a container manufacturing installation according to the invention:

said at least one grinding device is arranged close to said at least one elimination device for directly grinding said eliminated containers and / or preforms;

said at least one grinding device is arranged in an implantation zone situated, in front of the molding machine, close to at least one of said first and second transfer means;

said at least one grinding device is arranged at least partly inside a protective enclosure of the installation, defining a manufacturing space with respect to the outside;

the installation comprises at least one hot preform removal device which is associated with the first transfer means and / or a container removal device which is associated with the second transfer means;

- the installation comprising at least one oven for the thermal conditioning of thermoplastic preforms converted into containers by said molding machine, the installation comprises at least one preform removal device associated with the oven to eliminate at the input of said furnace cold preforms;

said at least one grinding device comprises at least one grinding mill for converting said eliminated containers and / or said containers into a grind of thermoplastic material; hot and / or cold preforms removed and suction means for automatically discharging said thermoplastic material mill to collection means.

The invention also proposes a device for grinding containers and / or preforms of thermoplastic material, in particular for an installation for manufacturing containers from thermoplastic preforms, characterized in that the said grinding device comprises at least one means of supply of containers and / or preforms, at least one wheel arranged upstream of at least one mill and suction means arranged downstream of said at least one mill for discharging a thermoplastic material mill.

Advantageously, the integration of such a grinding device in a container manufacturing facility makes it possible to treat directly on site, ie "in situ", the rejects that they are formed by containers or preforms, see by a mixture of containers and preforms.

A grinding device according to the invention comprises at least one grinder capable of transforming thermoplastic material, in addition to containers, preforms and that these preforms are "cold", that is to say generally at room temperature, or "Hot" because especially from a thermal conditioning oven located upstream of the molding machine (or "blower").

Advantageously, a grinding device is likely to be easily implanted in an existing manufacturing facility, requiring only few or few modifications thereof.

Advantageously, the design of the grinding device makes it possible to integrate it into the installation, in particular to implant it inside the enclosure except for the final means of collecting the ground material, which preferably remains outside. Advantageously, the grinding device is designed to avoid any risk of pollution by ground material from the manufacturing space delimited by the enclosure.

Advantageously, said at least one wheel constitutes anti-backflow means of the thermoplastic material preventing any rise of thermoplastic material upstream of said at least one wheel.

The anti-backflow means of the grinding device prevent any rise upstream of pieces or chips of thermoplastic material, whereby it eliminates any risk of pollution of the manufacturing space in which the machine is installed in particular. molding and conveying system.

Advantageously, the suction means make it possible to quickly evacuate the ground material, in particular the thinnest pieces of thermoplastic material, which avoids any upward movement and thus risks any pollution of the manufacturing space.

Advantageously, said at least one wheel constitutes feeding means ensuring dynamic feeding of the mill in containers and / or preforms.

Advantageously, the grinding device comprises at least one mode of operation, called grinding, in which the containers and / or the preforms are crushed by said grinding device, and a mode of operation, called sampling, in which the containers and / or the preforms are not ground by said grinding device to allow sampling (s) for analysis.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a top view which schematically shows an embodiment of a container manufacturing plant from thermoplastic preforms and illustrates an integrated grinding device for grinding waste formed by containers and / or preforms to transform them into a grind of thermoplastic material,

- Figures 2 and 3 are side views which show schematically in section an exemplary embodiment of a grinding device adapted to be integrated in an installation according to Figure 1 and which illustrate said grinding device in operating mode, said grinding,

FIG. 4 is a side view which represents in section a grinding device similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 and which illustrates said grinding device in operating mode, called sampling mode, in which occultation means formed by a flap have been moved from an inactive position to an active position in order to interrupt the feed of the mill of the downstream device and allow the taking of samples, - Figure 5 is a sectional view which, similar to FIGS. to 4, represents an alternative embodiment of the anti-backflow means associated with the mill and which illustrates according to this variant a paddle wheel forming such means,

- Figure 6 is a sectional view which, similar to Figures 2 to 5, shows another alternative embodiment of the anti-backflow means associated with the mill and which illustrates according to this other variant two flexible cylinders forming such means.

In the remainder of the description, the "longitudinal", "vertical" and "transverse" orientations will be used by convention, in a nonlimiting manner, with reference to the trihedron (L, V, T) represented in the figures and the terms "upstream". »And« downstream » following the direction of movement of the preforms or containers, through the manufacturing facility or the grinding device.

FIG. 1 shows schematically an exemplary embodiment of an installation 10 for the manufacture of containers 12 from preforms 14 of thermoplastic material.

A preform 14 has a neck 16 that extends a hollow body 18 closed by a bottom.

The preform 14 is made in particular by molding, by injection of thermoplastic material,

The neck 16 has at its free end an edge, also called buvant, which circumferentially defines an opening opening inside said hollow body 18.

The neck 16 has its definitive shape, that is to say that the neck 16 of the preform 14 is identical to the neck of the container 12 obtained after molding of such a preform 14.

The neck 16 comprises for example on its outer surface a thread intended to allow the subsequent closure of the container by a screw cap.

Preferably, the preforms 14 are manufactured prior to their transformation into a container 12 by molding so that the preforms 14 must be thermally conditioned to soften the thermoplastic material.

The installation 10 comprises at least one oven 20 for the thermal conditioning of the preforms 14 made of thermoplastic material.

The oven 20 comprises means 22 for heating the body 18 of the preforms 14 and associated ventilation means 24.

The heating means 22 are, for example, constituted by infrared radiation lamps (or any other equivalent means) and are generally associated with openwork reflectors 26 through which a flow of cooling air delivered by the ventilation means 24 passes. The flow of cooling air makes it possible to cool the reflectors and especially to cool the outer surface of the preforms 14 to allow obtaining the desired temperature gradient in the wall of the body 18 without degradation of the outer surface of the preform 14.

The ventilation means 24 also have the function of cooling the neck 16 whose deformation under the effect of heat would be likely to compromise the subsequent closure of the container 12.

The furnace 20 comprises a device 28 for transporting the preforms 14 which pass between the heating means 22 and the reflectors 26 arranged transversely facing each other along a heating path having here a "U" shape.

The transport device 28 comprises means for gripping the preforms 14 (also called "spinners"), said transport device 28 being for example made in the form of an endless chain whose means for gripping the preforms 14 are integral with each other. displacement.

The gripping means cooperate with the neck 16 of the preform 14, generally the inside of the neck 16, to maintain the preform in a vertical position and preferably to drive it in rotation on itself, simultaneously with its displacement following the course heating.

Examples of preform gripping means 14 are known, the documents WO-00/48819 or EP-1,880,825 describe and show, without limitation, exemplary embodiments.

Examples of embodiments of thermal conditioning furnace of thermoplastic preforms are also known and, by way of nonlimiting examples, reference is made to documents EP-0,620,099 or EP-0,570,354 for further details. The oven 20 is supplied with preforms 14 by a feed device 30, the preforms 14 are transferred, one after the other, to one of the gripping means 28 of the transport device.

Such an operation at the furnace inlet 20 is also called "cladding" and the reverse operation, carried out at the furnace outlet, "stripping" in order to transfer downstream the preforms 14 after thermal conditioning in the furnace 20.

Preferably, the installation 10 comprises, upstream of the furnace 20, a device (not shown) for sterilizing at least the inside of the preforms 14 obtained by condensation deposition of a sterilizing product such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 ).

Documents FR-2,887,525 and FR-2,887,526 describe and represent an example of sterilization of preforms.

An installation 10 comprises at least one disposal device for removing at least one container or preform including, but not limited to, a container or a preform "non-compliant".

In the remainder of the description, the term "non-compliant (s)" used to designate containers and / or preforms must be understood in its widest sense and for example, for example, a container is not limited to the mere presence of a defect in appearance.

Indeed, a container and / or a preform may be "non-compliant" for various reasons, including but not limited to, and following the manufacturing steps: problems of sterilization of the preform, gripping of the preform during cladding, thermal conditioning of the body of the preform in the furnace, blow molding of the container or stretch-blow molding.

Such a manufacturing facility generally comprises various disposal means which are controlled to selectively remove containers and / or preforms, in particular non-compliant, of the continuous flow circulating inside the installation, from the stream of preforms introduced into the thermal conditioning oven to that of the containers manufactured at the outlet.

If the detection of at least one lack of conformity of a container and / or a preform advantageously causes its elimination, a container and / or a preform can also be eliminated in order precisely to check compliance with a or more than one given manufacturing criteria.

As will be understood the reasons for disposal by means of elimination of containers and / or preforms, carried out individually or batch, can therefore be multiple.

Advantageously, the installation 10 comprises at least a first elimination device 32 comprising elimination means (not shown) of preforms 14 which are arranged at the inlet of the thermal conditioning oven 20.

The device 32 for eliminating preforms 14 is in particular intended to eliminate preforms that have been poorly dressed. Indeed, a preform 14 poorly fitted on the gripping means is likely to cause damage to the heating means 22 inside the oven 20, in particular because of the rotational drive on itself of the preform 14.

The device 32 for eliminating preforms 14 may also make it possible to selectively remove preforms 14 for which a problem of sterilization would have been detected.

The installation 10 comprises a conveyor system 34 comprising at least first means 36 for transferring the preforms and second means 38 for transferring the containers 12.

The installation 10 comprises at least one machine 40 for molding containers from hot preforms 14, previously conditioned thermally in the oven 20, such a molding machine 40 is still called "blower".

The conveying system 34 is associated with said machine 40, the first transfer means 36 being arranged upstream to supply said molding machine 40 with hot preforms 14 and the second transfer means 38 being arranged downstream to evacuate the manufactured containers 12. .

The molding machine 40 comprises molding units 42 which are connected to a carousel 44 and distributed circumferentially in a regular manner about a principal axis O of rotation.

A molding unit 42 comprises at least one mold 46 of the "wallet" type comprising at least two molding elements 48 mounted in associated mold holders 50 hinged about a vertical axis of rotation, respectively between an open position and a position closed of unit 42.

Each molding unit 42 comprises blow-molding or stretch-blow molding means (not shown) associated with the mold 46 for introducing at least one fluid under pressure, generally air, through the opening of the neck 16 of the preform 14 .

The unit 42 being in the closed position, the wall of the body 18 of the hot preform 14 is pressed by the pressurized fluid against that of the molding elements 48 of the mold 46 which comprise the cavity of the container 12 to be manufactured.

As shown in FIG. 1, the preforms 14 are introduced into the oven 20 by the feed device 30, supported by the oven transport device 28 to be thermally conditioned for molding in containers 12 and transferred from the furnace 20 to the molding machine 40 by the first transfer means 36 of the conveyor system 34.

The hot preform 14 is introduced by the first transfer means 36 between the elements 48 of the mold 46 of one of the units 42 in the open position, then the mold holders 50 are actuated to close the mold 46 around the body 18 of the preform 14, the neck 16 of which protrudes out of the mold 46.

The molding unit 42 is rotated about the O-axis counterclockwise, making almost one turn in which the preform 14 is blow-molded or stretch-blow molded before reaching the exit of the machine. 40 where the unit 42 is again open to allow extraction from the mold 46 of the container 12 manufactured.

The container 12 manufactured is then transported downstream by the second transfer means 38 of the conveyor system 34.

Depending on the type of installation 10, the containers 12 manufactured can be transferred directly to a filling machine (not shown) arranged downstream of the second transfer means 38, then for example a capping machine and finally labeling.

Advantageously, the installation 10 comprises elimination means for selectively removing containers 12 and / or preforms 14, in particular containers and / or non-conforming preforms.

The installation 10 comprises a second elimination device 52 comprising elimination means (not shown) which are capable of removing hot preforms 14 upstream of the molding machine 40.

Preferably, the elimination device 52 is associated with the first transfer means 36 so as to intervene during the transfer of the hot preforms 14 between the outlet of the oven 20 and the molding machine 40.

The elimination device 52 is particularly capable of eliminating "non-compliant" hot preforms 14 for which a problem would have occurred for example during the thermal conditioning in the oven 20. The installation 10 comprises a third elimination device 54 comprising elimination means (not shown) which are able to eliminate containers 12 produced downstream of the molding machine 40.

Preferably, the elimination device 54 is associated with the second transfer means 38 so as to intervene during the transfer of the manufactured containers 12 after their exit from the molding machine 40.

The elimination device 54 is particularly suitable for eliminating "non-compliant" containers 12 for which a problem would have occurred, for example, during molding in the machine 40.

The installation 10 comprises a protective enclosure 56 which delimits a manufacturing space with respect to the outside.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the protective enclosure 56 surrounds the assembly of the installation 10 and at least the molding machine 40, the conveyor system 34 and, advantageously, the oven 20 are arranged at the same time. inside said enclosure 56, in the manufacturing space.

The enclosure 56 of protection comprises at least one input

E by which the preforms 14 are introduced upstream by the feed device associated with the oven 20 and an outlet S through which the containers 12 manufactured are transported downstream.

Advantageously, a protective enclosure 56 makes it possible to isolate this manufacturing space in order to control in particular the atmosphere, for example by means of filtered air insufflation devices making it possible to establish an overpressure inside this space. to control cleanliness.

Exemplary embodiments of such aeraulic protection device of the manufacturing space are known, it being possible, without implying any limitation, to refer to documents FR-2 961 124 or FR-2 961 125. The enclosure 56 of protection advantageously has sound insulation properties in order to limit the noise emissions outside the enclosure 56 during the manufacture of containers 12, acoustically preserving the working environment of the operators .

The first transfer means 36 and the second transfer means 38 of the conveyor system 34 are arranged transversely in front of the molding machine 40.

FIG. 1 shows by means of a dotted line an implantation zone 58.

Advantageously, the implantation area 58 extends transversely in front of the molding machine 40 or "blower", on either side of the enclosure 56 for protecting the installation 10.

The installation 10 comprises at least one grinding device 60 which is integrated in the installation 10 for grinding said containers 12 and / or preforms 14 removed by at least one elimination device 32, 52, 54 in order to transform them into a device. grinding 62 of thermoplastic material.

Preferably, the grinding device 60 is implanted in the part of said zone 58 situated inside the enclosure 56 for protecting the installation 10.

Advantageously, the enclosure 56 of protection then attenuates the noise emitted by said at least one grinding device 60 in operation.

As a variant not shown, the grinding device 60 is arranged in the other part of said zone 58 situated outside the enclosure 56, for example said grinding device 60 can be juxtaposed with the enclosure 56 for protecting the installation 10 and communicate with the interior through an opening in the enclosure 56 of protection.

Advantageously, the integration of at least one grinding device 60 with the installation 10 makes it possible to eliminate all or part of frequent handling operations previously required for the management of waste, preforms 14 as containers 12.

Advantageously, said at least one grinding device 60 is arranged close to at least one elimination device 52, 54 for directly grinding said containers 12 and / or preforms 14 which, in particular being non-compliant, are eliminated.

Preferably, said at least one grinding device 60 is arranged vertically below and globally in line with at least one elimination device so that the containers 12 and / or the preforms 14 eliminated are directly recovered by said device 60 grinding, without requiring any intermediate means of collection and / or transport.

Thanks to the integration of said at least one grinding device 60, the waste collection bins are advantageously eliminated.

Thus, all the operations such as the emptying or the transport of the bins filled with rejects up to a container or a compactor are suppressed, allowing to reduce significantly the presence of operator (s) and thus the costs of hand of associated works.

Advantageously, said at least one grinding device 60 makes it possible to remove at least a part of the equipment previously necessary for collecting and transporting the waste and, in particular, a compactor used to reduce the volume of the containers and / or discarded preforms.

Advantageously, the installation 10 comprises a grinding device 60 which is capable of grinding all the scrap, on the one hand, preforms 14 eliminated by the elimination device 52 and / or the elimination device 32 and, on the other hand, containers 12 eliminated by the elimination device 54.

In variant not shown, said grinding device 60 could be associated with at least one of the devices 32, 52, 54 of elimination. In a variant that is not shown, the installation 10 comprises more than one grinding device 60, for example at least two grinding devices 60 respectively associated for at least one of the device 52 for eliminating the preforms 14 and / or the device 32 for the other and at the device 54 for eliminating the containers 12.

Said at least one grinding device 60 is arranged in the implantation zone 58 located, transversely in front of the molding machine 40, close to at least one of said first and second transfer means 36, 38.

Advantageously, said at least one grinding device 60 is arranged at least partly inside the enclosure 56 for protecting the installation 10 delimiting, with respect to the outside, said manufacturing space.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the elimination means comprise at least the elimination device 52 which, associated with the first transfer means 36 supplying said machine with hot preforms 14, comprises means for eliminating the hot preforms 14 and the elimination device 54 which, associated with the second transfer means 38 discharging the containers 12 manufactured, comprises means for removing containers.

Preferably, said at least one grinding device 60 is also capable of grinding the preforms 14 eliminated by the elimination means of the oven-associated preform removal device 32.

Preferably, the cold preforms 14 eliminated by the elimination device 32 are conveyed automatically by means of transport (not shown) to the grinding device 60.

Said at least one grinding device 60 comprises at least one grinder 64 for converting all the rejects which are transmitted to it into a grind 62 of thermoplastic material. In the exemplary embodiment, the grinding device 60 is advantageously capable of grinding all the rejects, ie said eliminated containers and / or said hot and / or cold preforms removed.

Advantageously, said at least one grinding device 60 comprises suction means 66 for automatically discharging said grind 62 of thermoplastic material to means 68 for collecting.

The suction means 66 make it possible to establish a depression in a hopper 70 for recovering the ground material, located downstream of the mill 64, so as to directly discharge the ground material 62 towards said collection means 68, in particular the thinnest pieces .

Advantageously, the suction means 66 prohibit any raising of the ground material 62, in particular the thinnest pieces upstream of the mill 64.

The integration of said at least one grinding device 60 in the manufacturing space is advantageously preserving the cleanliness of the air, without in particular compromising all the measures taken for the purpose of controlling the latter inside the chamber. the enclosure 56 of protection.

The suction means 66 are associated with at least one pipe 72 for discharging the ground material 62 which connects said collection tank 70 to the collection means 68.

Preferably, said collection means 68 are arranged outside said enclosure 56 for protecting the manufacturing installation 10.

Advantageously, the arrangement of the means 68 for collecting the ground material outside the manufacturing space delimited by said enclosure 56 for protection makes it possible not to risk polluting said production space with ground material 62.

Advantageously, the arrangement of the collection means 68 outside the enclosure 56 of protection facilitates the operations such as changing the collection means 68 when they are filled.

Preferably, the means 68 for collecting the grind of thermoplastic material are constituted by at least one "big bag" type bag.

Advantageously, the grinding device 60 comprises means 74 for monitoring the filling of the means 68 for collecting the grinding material of thermoplastic material.

Preferably, said monitoring means 74 are for example of the weight type so as to proceed, automatically or manually, to a change of the collection means 68 when a determined weight of grind 62 of thermoplastic material is reached.

Alternatively, the monitoring means 74 are made by any appropriate means, such as sensors capable of detecting a level of filling or a camera.

The monitoring means 74 are advantageously associated with warning means, such as an audible and / or visual alarm, in order to trigger the intervention of at least one operator.

Although regular visual checks may be carried out by an operator, regardless of the presence of monitoring means 74, it will be appreciated that such monitoring means 74 can further reduce the presence of operators.

The amount of grind 62 produced by said grinding device 60 may vary significantly depending on the incidents occurring during manufacture, their frequency and their nature requiring the elimination of a larger or smaller number of containers 12 and / or preforms 14.

Advantageously, the grinding device 60 comprises means (not shown) for automatically changing the means 68 for collecting the ground material 62 for automatically changing said collection means 68.

Such means for automatically changing the means 68 for collecting the ground material 62 are for example controlled to intervene when said means 68 for collection have reached a weight or a filling level determined.

Advantageously, the collection means 68 are changed automatically or manually, so as not to mix shreds 62 of thermoplastic material having for example different colors.

Indeed, an installation 10 is generally used for the manufacture of different containers and the grinding device 60 advantageously makes it possible to control the collection of different crushes 62 in order to facilitate recycling.

The installation 10 comprises at least one grinding device 60 which is advantageously arranged close to at least one elimination device.

Preferably and as described above, said grinding device 60 is pooled to grind the rejects, containers and / or preforms, of at least two elimination devices equipping the installation 10.

According to a variant not shown, the installation 10 comprises a container removal device which is arranged at the outlet S and which is associated with a grinding device 60.

An exemplary embodiment of a grinding device 60 which, shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, is suitable for being integrated in such a facility 10 for manufacturing containers from preforms made of thermoplastic material will be described in more detail below.

Said grinding device 60 comprises at least means 76 for feeding containers 12 and / or preforms 14 removed, at least one wheel 78 associated with at least one grinder 64 and suction means 66, arranged downstream of said mill 64, for discharging the mill 62 of thermoplastic material.

The feed means 76 are for example formed by at least one hopper in which are ejected containers 12 and / or preforms 14 eliminated by removal means of one of the devices 32, 52, 54 of elimination.

Preferably, the grinding device 60 is movable, for example provided with rollers so as to allow it to be easily moved by rolling it on the ground.

Advantageously, said at least one wheel 78 constitutes means 80 of anti-discharge of the thermoplastic material which obstruct any rise of thermoplastic material, that is to say upstream of said at least one wheel.

Preferably, the grinding device 60 comprises feeding means 82 for facilitating the grinding of the containers 12 and / or the preforms 14 by said at least one grinder 64.

Advantageously, the booster means 82 associated with the mill 64 are constituted by said at least one wheel 78 which thus provides a dual function.

In this embodiment, said at least one wheel

78 of the grinding device 60 comprises at least a first wheel 78A and a second wheel 78B arranged transversely next to each other.

The wheels 78A and 78B are wheels having vanes 84, here four in number for each circumferentially distributed wheel in a regular manner.

The impeller wheels 78A and 78B are rotated in the opposite direction and the blades 84 of the wheel 78A are angularly offset relative to the blades 84 of the wheel 78B, said blades 84 offset relative to each other interpenetrating to constitute means 80 against backflow. Advantageously, the blades 84 of the wheels 78A and 78B prevent any rise of thermoplastic material upstream of said wheels 78A and 78B and particularly the pieces of containers 12 and / or crushed preforms 14 which are projected as shown in FIG. figure 3.

The grinding device 60 comprises a casing 86 within which said impeller wheels 78A and 78B are mounted, the dimensions of said casing 92 being adjusted relative to the outer diameter of the wheels to prevent any return of grind 62 upstream.

The wheels 78A and 78B twin blades thus drive the thermoplastic material to said at least one grinder 64 located downstream.

Preferably, said impeller wheels 78A and 78B are rotated by at least one drive motor (not shown) of grinder 64.

In a variant, said at least one wheel formed by said impeller wheels 78A and 78B comprises rotation drive means independent of those of grinder 64.

The grinding device 60 comprises at least two modes of operation, respectively called grinding and sampling.

The operating mode, referred to as grinding, corresponds to a mode in which the containers 12 and / or the preforms 14 are crushed by the mill 64 of the grinding device 60.

The mode of operation, called sampling, corresponds to a mode in which the containers 12 and / or the preforms 14 are not ground by said grinding device 60.

Advantageously, the purpose of the so-called sampling mode of operation is to make it possible to take a sample (s) of at least one container 12 and / or a preform 14 for analysis purposes. To take the samples, an opening 87 is advantageously arranged at the level of the feed means 76, upstream of said at least one wheel 78.

Preferably, the grinding device 60 comprises means 88 for blocking the supply consisting of at least one occulting flap.

The flap 88 is arranged upstream of said at least one wheel 78A, 78B and is movably mounted between at least one passive position and one active position,

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flap 88 occupies its passive position in which the retracted flap 88 allows the containers 12 and / or the preforms 14 to pass downstream in the direction of the mill 64.

As shown in FIG. 4, the flap 88 occupies its active position in which the flap 88 is moved to interrupt feeding of the mill 64 in containers 12 and / or in preforms 14.

In the exemplary embodiment, the flap 88 is slidably mounted in guide rails and is controlled in displacement between said active and passive positions by associated actuating means (not shown).

Preferably, when the grinding device 60 is in said sampling mode of operation, said at least one wheel 78A, 78B and the grinder 64 cease to be rotated.

Advantageously, the grinding device 60 is controlled by a central control unit (not shown) as a function of the eliminations made by at least one of the elimination devices 32, 52, 54.

Preferably, said central unit automatically controls the passage of the grinding device 60 from a standby state to a running state, wherein said grinding device 60 operates in grinding mode or in sampling, when containers 12 and / or preforms 14 are eliminated.

Advantageously, the grinding device 60 comprises detection means 90 associated with the supply means 76 for detecting the presence of containers 12 and / or preforms 14.

Preferably, the detection means 90 are optical means, alternatively any other suitable means.

As shown in FIG. 2, the detection means 90 comprise, for example, a transmitter associated with a receiver whose radiation will be interrupted if the hopper of the supply device 76 is filled with containers 12 and / or preforms 14.

Advantageously, said at least one wheel 78A, 78B provides a dual function, means 80 against backflow on the one hand and means 82 for feeding on the other hand.

The wheels 78A and 78B having blades 84 according to FIGS. 2 to 4, however, constitute only an exemplary embodiment and variants are possible to ensure at least the anti-backflow function and, preferably, also the force-feeding function. .

By comparison with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, an embodiment variant illustrated in FIG. 5 will be described.

The same reference numerals denote the same means, the like means having a reference which has been increased by 100.

In this variant embodiment, the grinding device 60 differs from the preceding example in that the at least one wheel 78 is constituted by a single wheel 178.

Preferably, said wheel 178 comprises blades 184 which extend radially from a central hub of the wheel. Advantageously, said wheel 178 is rotatably mounted in a housing 186 whose vertical walls have a circular profile substantially corresponding to the outer diameter of the blades 84 of said wheel 178.

The dimensions of the wheel 178 and the casing 186 are adjusted so that the clearance between the free end of the blades 84 of the wheel 178 and the inner surface of the casing 186 does not allow any passage of pieces of thermoplastic material whereby said wheel 178 constitutes as previously means 80 anti-refoulement preventing any upstream upstream of the wheel 178.

By way of comparison with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, another embodiment variant illustrated in FIG. 6 will be described.

The same reference numerals designate the same means, the like means having a reference which has been increased by 200.

According to this variant, said at least one wheel 78 consists of a first cylinder 278A and a second cylinder 278B.

Preferably, the cylinders 278A, 278B comprise a flexible outer envelope, elastically deformable, for example an outer strip made of elastomeric material.

The outer surface of one of the cylinders 278A, 278B cooperates with that of the other of the cylinders 278A, 278B so as to constitute means 80 against backflow.

The cylinders 278A, 278B are rotated in opposite directions from each other, such as the impeller wheels 78A, 78B of the exemplary embodiment of Figures 2 to 4.

Advantageously, said cylinders 278A and 278B are mounted in a housing 292 adjusted with respect to the outer diameter of the rolls so as to prevent any return of grind 62 vertically along the wall of the housing. Advantageously, said cylinders 278A and 278B compact the containers 12 before being crushed by the mill 64.

Preferably, said cylinders 278A and 278B constitute means 82 for feeding the mill 64 of the grinding device 60.

Claims

1. Installation (10) for the manufacture of containers (12) from thermoplastic preforms (14) comprising at least:

a machine (40) for molding containers (12) from hot preforms (14),

a conveying system (34) associated with said machine (40) comprising at least, upstream, first transfer means (36) for supplying said machine (40) with hot preforms (14) and, secondarily, with second transfer means (38) for evacuating the manufactured containers (12), and

at least one elimination device (32, 52, 54) for selectively removing containers (12) and / or preforms (14), in particular containers (12) and / or non-conforming preforms (14),

characterized in that the installation (10) comprises at least one grinding device (60) which is integrated in the plant (10) for crushing said containers (12) and / or preforms (14) removed by said at least one disposal device (32, 52, 54) to convert them into a ground material (62) of thermoplastic material.

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one grinding device (60) is arranged close to said at least one removal device (32, 52, 54) for directly grinding said containers (12) and / or preforms (14) eliminated.

3. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one grinding device (60) is arranged in an implantation zone (58) situated, in front of the molding machine (40), close to at least one of said first and second transfer means (36, 38).

4. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said at least one device (60) of grinding is arranged at least partly inside a chamber (56) for protecting the installation (10), delimiting a manufacturing space relative to the outside.

5. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the installation (10) comprises at least one device (52) for eliminating hot preforms (14) which is associated with the first means (36). transfer device and / or a container removal device (54) (12) which is associated with the second transfer means (38).

6. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least one oven (20) for the thermal conditioning of thermoplastic preforms (14) converted into containers (12) by said molding machine (40), characterized in that the installation (10) comprises at least one oven-associated preform removal device (32) (20) for removing cold preforms (14) at the inlet of said oven (20).

7. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said at least one grinding device (60) comprises at least one grinder (64) for converting into a grind (62) of thermoplastic material said containers ( 12) and / or said hot and / or cold preforms (14) removed and suction means (66) for automatically discharging said ground material (62) of thermoplastic material to collection means (68).

8. Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that said grinding device (60) comprises at least means (76) for supplying containers (12) and / or preforms (14), at least one wheel (78). 78A, 78B, 178, 278A, 278B) arranged upstream of said at least one grinder (64) and said suction means (66) arranged downstream of said at least one grinder (64) for discharging a grind (62) of thermoplastic material.

9. Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that said at least one wheel (78, 78A, 78B, 178, 278A, 278B) is means (80) of anti-backflow of the thermoplastic material hindering any ascent of thermoplastic material upstream of said at least one wheel (78).

10. Installation according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that said at least one wheel (78, 78A, 78B, 178, 278A, 278B) is a means (84) for feeding the dynamic grinding of the crusher ( 64) in containers (12) and / or preforms (14).