EP3606866B1 - Installation for treating containers - Google Patents

Installation for treating containers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3606866B1
EP3606866B1 EP18713695.7A EP18713695A EP3606866B1 EP 3606866 B1 EP3606866 B1 EP 3606866B1 EP 18713695 A EP18713695 A EP 18713695A EP 3606866 B1 EP3606866 B1 EP 3606866B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
containers
machine
treatment
additional treatment
installation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18713695.7A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3606866A1 (en
Inventor
Cédric Bianchini
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sidel Participations SAS
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Sidel Participations SAS
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Publication date
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Publication of EP3606866A1 publication Critical patent/EP3606866A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C7/00—Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottles; Processes or devices for at least two of these operations
    • B67C7/0006—Conveying; Synchronising
    • B67C7/002—General lay-out of bottle-handling machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/001—Cleaning of filling devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/023—Filling multiple liquids in a container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C7/00—Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottles; Processes or devices for at least two of these operations
    • B67C7/0006—Conveying; Synchronising
    • B67C7/004—Conveying; Synchronising the containers travelling along a circular path
    • B67C7/0046—Infeed and outfeed devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C2003/227—Additional apparatus related to blow-moulding of the containers, e.g. a complete production line forming filled containers from preforms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C2003/228—Aseptic features
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C7/00—Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottles; Processes or devices for at least two of these operations
    • B67C7/0006—Conveying; Synchronising
    • B67C2007/006—Devices particularly adapted for container filling

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of the production of containers (in particular bottles, flasks) by forming from plastic material preforms, such as for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the containers being filled with a filling product.
  • plastic material preforms such as for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • Such a production installation for example, the forming of containers from preforms and the filling of these containers are combined in the continuity of the production of containers.
  • Such a production installation therefore generally comprises a forming machine forming the containers from preforms and a filling machine filling the formed containers, a transfer device being arranged to pick up the containers at the output of the forming machine and to transmit them at the entrance to the filling machine.
  • Such an installation also only makes it possible to produce containers filled with a single filling product, the installation having to be stopped for the filling product to be changed. Moreover, such an installation is also not satisfactory in the case where a container must be filled with two distinct products, in particular products requiring different filling technologies, for example when the final product contained in the container results from the mixing products chosen from: a very viscous product, a fluid product, or a product having pieces incorporated into a liquid.
  • a receptacle treatment installation does not operate optimally when a treatment machine operates at a limited rate while another processing machine can operate at a higher rate. Indeed, the processing rate is then limited by the processing rate of the processing machine having the lowest processing rate.
  • document DE102010021733 discloses a container handling device according to the preamble of claim 1, and document EP2407417 describes a container processing system.
  • One of the aims of the invention is to propose a treatment installation capable of operating continuously even during cleaning. Another object of the invention is to increase the rate of processing and/or to reduce the size of the installation, in particular when the succession of processing to be carried out has different processing rates. Another object of the invention is to increase the flexibility of the installation without increasing the size and/or the financial investment required for this flexibility.
  • the installation further comprises a second transfer device operable between an inactive configuration and an active configuration, the second transfer device in active configuration being arranged to pick up the succession of containers at the point of exit from the first machine additional processing machine and to transfer it to the second additional processing machine.
  • Providing two additional processing machines makes it possible to continue the processing while one of the additional processing machines undergoes cleaning.
  • the fact of having separate outlets from the installation for each of the additional processing machines makes it possible to clean up to this outlet, including, in particular, in the event of an incident at the outlet of the treated containers.
  • the overall processing rate can be increased by running the two additional processing machines.
  • the flexibility of the installation is increased.
  • Each additional treatment machine can be used to apply a different treatment to a part of the containers.
  • the second transfer device also makes it possible, in active configuration, to apply two successive additional treatments to the succession of containers.
  • the isolation assembly makes it possible to isolate an additional processing machine from the rest of the processing installation and thus to safely clean the additional processing machine without the risk of introducing harmful products, such as cleaning products , in the rest of the treatment plant.
  • the first and second transfer stations make it possible to physically separate the additional processing machine to be isolated in order to allow the installation of the enclosure.
  • the first transfer device comprises receptacle gripping elements distributed over the periphery of a transfer wheel, movable in rotation, each gripping element being arranged to pick up a container at the point of exit from the initial processing machine, two successive gripping elements being respectively arranged to deliver the transported container, one to the first additional processing machine and the other to the second additional processing machine.
  • an installation 1 for processing a succession of containers 2 is described.
  • the description will be made for the case where the treatment installation is an installation for producing a succession of containers from a succession of preforms 4 in plastic material.
  • the invention relates to any type of treatment of containers, in particular: forming, labeling, marking, filling, rinsing of the containers, or treatment of the wall of the containers, or treatment of a part of each or certain containers, such as the cooling of the injection point of the preform from which the container comes, or the specific deformation of a part of the container.
  • the processing installation 1 comprises at least one machine 6 for initial processing, a first machine 8 for additional processing and a second machine 10 extra treatment.
  • the invention applies to any type of container processing machine, as will be described later, the following description will be made in the case where the initial processing machine 6 is a container forming machine 2 to from preforms 4 and where the first and second additional processing machines are container filling machines 2.
  • Each preform 4 comprises a body 12, a neck 14 and a ring 16.
  • the body 12 has for example the shape of a test tube with a closed bottom and defines an internal volume extending along a main axis A.
  • the neck 14 extends in the continuity of the body 12 opposite the bottom and forms an upper opening through which a fluid can be introduced into the internal volume of the preform, as will be described later.
  • the neck 14 of the preform has, for example, the final shape that it will have in the container 2 formed from the preform 4 and comprises, for example, a thread on its outer wall to allow the attachment of a stopper to the container. .
  • the ring 16 extends between the body 12 and the neck 14 radially outward and forms for example a transport ring by which the preform can be gripped and transported, as will be described later.
  • the preform shape given above is only by way of example and other shapes could be envisaged, as long as these are suitable for forming a container by introducing a fluid into the preform.
  • the preform could have a smooth neck, be devoid of a ring, and/or have other variant shapes according to various preform models likely to be used in the treatment installation11.
  • plastic material of the preform is for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • the plastic material could be different from PET, as long as this material is capable of being made malleable and deformable to allow the production of a container by introducing a fluid into the preform.
  • the preforms 4, before being formed into containers 2, are heated in a heating station (not shown), for example an oven.
  • the heating station is arranged to heat each preform 4 to a reference temperature at which the preform 4 is in a malleable state and can be formed into a container.
  • the reference temperature is between the glass transition temperature and the crystallization temperature of the material of the preform 4.
  • the heated preforms 4 are moved to a point 18 of entry to the machine 6 for initial treatment.
  • the initial processing machine 6 comprises a plurality of forming stations 20 each arranged to receive and form a preform 4 of the succession of preforms 4 into a container.
  • each forming station 20 comprises a mold 22 and a device for injecting a forming fluid.
  • the mold 22 comprises a molding cavity having the shape of the container to be produced and arranged to receive the body 12 of the preform.
  • the injection device is arranged to inject a forming fluid under pressure into the internal volume of the preform 4 through the upper opening of the latter so that the body 12 of the preform acquires the shape of the molding cavity.
  • the forming fluid is for example a gas, for example pressurized air.
  • Each forming station 20 may further comprise a drawing rod arranged to exert a bearing on the bottom of the preform 4 in order to extend it along its axis A.
  • the forming stations 20 are for example carried by a forming wheel 24 , or carousel, rotatable about an axis of rotation, for example parallel to the axes A of the preforms 4 when they are in the machine 6 for initial processing. .
  • the forming stations 20 are carried on the periphery of the forming wheel 24 so that they travel along a circular path defined by the forming wheel 24 between the entry point 18 and an exit point 26 .
  • the mold is open and is arranged to receive a preform 4, then the mold 22 is closed, the injection device is placed in fluid communication with the internal volume of the preform and the forming fluid is injected into the preform during movement of the forming station between point 18 of entry and point 26 of exit.
  • the mold 22 is opened and the formed container is extracted from the station 20 of forming.
  • all the forming stations 20, and in particular the molding cavities are identical so that all the forming stations 20 are arranged to form identical containers 2 .
  • some forming stations 20 are different and make it possible to create containers 2 of different shape and/or capacity, for example by modifying the shape of the molding cavities of the forming stations 20 in question.
  • forming stations 20A arranged to form a first type of container 2A and forming stations 20B arranged to form a second type of container 2B are arranged alternately on the forming wheel 24 so that two successive forming stations 20A, 20B form two different vessels. The transition from one embodiment to another is done for example simply by changing one out of two molds on the forming wheel 24.
  • the forming stations 20A and 20B could be arranged to receive two types of different preforms, for example preforms made of different materials.
  • the forming stations 20A and 20B could also be arranged to form containers under different conditions, for example at different pressure curves and/or at different forming pressures. It is also understood that more than two different types of forming stations could be provided to form several different types of containers.
  • the first transfer device 28 is for example formed by a transfer wheel 30 , movable in rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the forming wheel 24, comprising a plurality of gripping elements 32 arranged to each enter a container 2 at the exit point 26 of the machine 6 for initial processing.
  • the gripping elements 32 are for example formed by grippers arranged to grip the containers by the ring 16 thereof.
  • the first transfer device 28 can, if necessary, be adapted accordingly, for example by adapting, if necessary, an element 32 of handle out of two to the type of container to be grabbed.
  • the transfer wheel 30 is synchronized with the forming wheel 24 so that the gripping elements 32 corresponding to the type of container produced are at the exit point 26 when this type of container is delivered to the point 26 of output by the initial processing machine 6.
  • the first transfer device 28 forms a switch capable of distributing the containers 2 of the succession of containers 2 in at least one first outlet point 34 and/or in a second outlet point 36 which are distinct from each other.
  • a type of switching is known per se and the way in which a transfer wheel can selectively deliver containers at two distinct exit points is for example described in the document EP-1 235 729 .
  • the first transfer device 28 is capable of transmitting part of the containers 2 to the first additional processing machine 8 and at the second output point 36, the first transfer device 28 is capable of transmitting another part of the containers 2 to the second machine 10 for additional processing.
  • the first types of containers 2A are transmitted to the first additional processing machine 8 and the second types of containers 2B are transmitted to the second processing machine 10 additional.
  • the treatment installation 1 is then in a differentiated treatment configuration.
  • the initial processing machine 6 produces a single type of container
  • one out of two containers is transmitted to the first additional processing machine 8 and the other containers are transmitted to the second processing machine 10 additional.
  • the processing installation 1 is then in a parallel processing configuration.
  • the first transfer device 28 only transmits containers to one of the two additional processing machines.
  • the first additional processing machine 8 comprises a first transfer station 38 and a first filling wheel 40 .
  • the first transfer station 38 is arranged, in a transfer position, to pick up the containers 2 at the first exit point 34 of the first transfer device 28 which also forms the entry point 34 of the first additional processing machine.
  • the first transfer station 38 is for example formed by a transfer wheel provided with gripping elements, of the same type as the transfer wheel 30 of the first transfer device 28 .
  • the first transfer station 38 transmits the collected containers to the first wheel 40 for filling.
  • the first filling wheel 40 is rotatable around an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the forming wheel 24.
  • the first filling wheel 40 carries a plurality of filling stations 42 , or first filling stations. additional treatment.
  • Each filling station 42 is arranged to receive and fill a container 2.
  • each filling station 42 comprises a container support and a device for filling the container.
  • the filling device is arranged to introduce a filling product into the internal volume of the container 2 through the upper opening thereof.
  • the filling product is for example a liquid, which can be more or less viscous, carbonated or not, and include solid pieces.
  • the filling product can be cooled, at room temperature or hot during filling.
  • the filling stations 42 are carried by the periphery of the first filling wheel 40 so that the filling stations 42 follow a circular path between an entry point 44 and an exit point 46 of the filling wheel 42 . Between the entry point and the exit point, the filling device is placed facing the internal volume of the container 2 and the filling product is introduced into the container during the movement of the filling station.
  • a second transfer device 48 picks up the filled containers and brings them out of the first additional processing machine 8 to transfer them to an output of the forming installation 1 or to the second additional processing machine 10 , as will be described later.
  • the second transfer device 48 is for example of the same type as the first transfer device 28, that is to say it is formed of a wheel carrying gripping elements.
  • the structure of the second machine 10 for additional processing is substantially identical to that of the first machine 8 for additional processing. That is to say that the second additional processing machine 10 comprises a second transfer station 50 and a second filling wheel 52 .
  • said second transfer station 50 is arranged to pick up the containers 2 at the second exit point 36 of the first transfer device 28 which forms also the entry point 36 of the second additional processing machine 10.
  • the second transfer station 38 is for example formed by a transfer wheel provided with gripping elements, of the same type as the transfer wheel 30 of the first transfer device 28 .
  • the second transfer station 50 transmits the collected containers to the second wheel 52 for filling.
  • the second filling wheel 52 is rotatable around an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the forming wheel 24.
  • the second filling wheel 40 carries a plurality of filling stations 54 , or second filling stations. additional treatment, each arranged to receive and fill a container 2 between an entry point 56 and an exit point 58 of the second wheel 52 of filling.
  • the structure of the filling stations 54 is for example the same as that of the filling stations 42 of the first additional processing machine 8 and will not be described in more detail.
  • a third transfer device 60 picks up the filled containers and brings them out of the first additional processing machine 8 to transfer them to an output of the processing installation 1.
  • the containers 2 are advantageously capped before leaving the installation (the capper(s) are not shown).
  • the treatment installation 1 therefore makes it possible, from an initial treatment machine 6, to carry out an additional treatment on part of the containers in the first machine 8 for additional treatment and another additional treatment at the other part of the containers in the second additional processing machine 10 when the processing installation 1 is in the configuration of differentiated processing or in the parallel processing configuration.
  • some of the containers follow the path shown in continuous line on the Fig. 1 in the first additional processing machine 8 while the other party follows the path shown in phantom on the Fig. 1 in the second additional processing machine 10.
  • the two additional treatments namely a filling according to the example described here, can be different or identical to each other.
  • the filling product introduced into the containers during the first and second additional treatments is the same and that it is injected under the same conditions into the filling stations 42 and 54.
  • different is meant any type of difference between the two additional treatments, in the nature of the filling product and/or in the filling conditions.
  • the filling product introduced into the containers in the first additional processing machine 8 is different from the filling product introduced into the containers of the second processing machine.
  • the filling conditions such as the temperature of the product, the volume of product introduced into each container or the like, are different.
  • the filling techniques are different and chosen from volumetric, debimetric or weight filling.
  • the filling of these containers can be adapted to these types of containers, for example in terms of the volume of filling product introduced into the containers.
  • the containers are identical they can also be filled with different products.
  • the treatment installation 1 therefore offers numerous possibilities and a wide choice in the treatment of containers. It will be noted that, when the processing installation 1 is in parallel processing configuration and the additional processing operations are identical, the processing installation 1 operates at a particularly high rate since the two additional processing machines produce the same containers.
  • the treatment installation 1 can also be placed in a configuration for the successive treatment of the containers shown in the Fig. 2 .
  • all the containers 2 produced by the initial processing machine 6 are transferred to the first additional processing machine 8.
  • This can be obtained by using only one forming station 20 out of two, i.e. that is to say, by not supplying preforms 4 to the forming stations 20 producing containers intended to be transferred to the second machine 10 for additional processing.
  • the first transfer device 28, synchronized with the initial processing machine only supplies containers to the first outlet point 34 and the gripping elements 32 are empty when they arrive at the second outlet point 36 .
  • the passage to the successive processing configuration does not require carrying out a new synchronization of the initial processing machine 6 and of the first transfer device 28 .
  • the second transfer device 48 is moved from an inactive position, in which the second transfer device 48, transfers the containers from the exit point 46 of the first additional processing machine 8 to the exit of the installation, in an active position, in which the second transfer device 48 transfers the containers from the exit point 46 of the first additional processing machine to a second entry point 62 of the filling wheel 52 of the second 10 additional processing machine.
  • the movement from the inactive position to the active position is done for example by translation of the wheel of the second transfer device 48 so as to bring it closer to the filling wheel 52 of the second additional processing machine 10, as shown in the Fig. 2 .
  • the containers 2 after having undergone the first additional treatment, undergo the second additional treatment.
  • the successive processing configuration thus makes it possible to partially fill the containers with a first filling product in the first machine 8 for additional processing and then to complete this filling with a second filling product in the second machine 10 additional processing.
  • the path followed by the containers 2 in successive processing configuration is shown in continuous line on the Fig. 2 .
  • the containers are evacuated to the outlet of the treatment installation by means of the third transfer device 60 at the outlet of the wheel 52 for filling the second machine 10 for additional treatment.
  • the treatment installation 1 further comprises an enclosure 64, shown partially in the figures, in which the treatment machines and transfer devices of the installation are installed in order to isolate them from the external environment and thus keeping them in a controlled atmosphere and making it possible to prevent access to the installation when the latter is in normal operation.
  • the enclosure 64 is further provided with an insulation assembly comprising removable walls 66 making it possible, when they are put in place, to isolate the first machine 8 for additional processing ( Fig. 4 ) or the second additional processing machine 10 ( Fig. 3 ) from the rest of the processing installation 1, when the latter is placed in a cleaning configuration.
  • the insulation assembly In normal operation, the insulation assembly is in a retracted configuration, in which the containers 2 can circulate throughout the production installation.
  • walls 66 of the insulation assembly are placed in a first insulation configuration so as to define a first enclosure isolating the first additional processing machine 8 from the rest of the processing installation, that is to say from the initial processing machine 6, from the first transfer device 18, from the second additional processing machine 10 .
  • the second transfer device 48 in the inactive position, is also placed in the isolated space defined by the walls 66 and the enclosure 64.
  • the first transfer station 38 is for example retractable in a retracted position to accommodate in the space defined by the walls 66 and the enclosure and to separate the first transfer station 38 from the first exit point 34.
  • detergent products can be used in the isolated space housing the first additional treatment machine 8 without risking that these products do not reach the rest of the processing facility.
  • the processing plant can continue to operate by producing containers and transferring them to the second additional processing machine.
  • containers are only produced in one out of two forming stations 20 so that the first transfer device 18 supplies containers only to the second machine 10 for additional processing.
  • the path followed by the containers in this cleaning configuration is represented by a continuous line on the Fig. 4 .
  • walls 66 of the insulation assembly are placed in a second insulation configuration so as to form a second enclosure isolating the second additional processing machine 10 from the rest of the processing installation, that is to say from the initial processing machine 6, from the first transfer device 18, from the first additional processing machine 8 and the second transfer device 48 .
  • the second transfer station 50 is for example retractable in a retracted position to fit in the space defined by the walls 66 and the enclosure and to separate the second transfer station 50 from the second point 36 of exit.
  • detergent products can be used in the isolated space housing the second additional treatment machine 10 without risking these products reaching the rest of the treatment installation.
  • the processing plant can continue to operate by producing containers and transferring them to the first additional processing machine 8.
  • containers are only produced in one out of two forming stations 20 so that the first transfer device 18 supplies containers only to the first additional processing machine 8.
  • the path followed by the containers in this cleaning configuration is shown in continuous line on the Fig. 3 .
  • the treatment installation described above has been described only as an example and could be different. Thus, other devices or machines could be added to the installation, such as a labeling machine, a capping machine, etc.
  • the initial processing machine 6 could be another type of machine, for example a filling machine, the additional processing machines being in this case capping machines for example. More generally, the invention can be applied to any type of machine, provided that these machines apply successive treatments to the containers.

Description

L'invention concerne le domaine de la production de récipients (notamment bouteilles, flacons) par formage à partir de préformes en matière plastique, telle que par exemple le polyéthylène téréphtalate (PET), les récipients étant remplis par un produit de remplissage.The invention relates to the field of the production of containers (in particular bottles, flasks) by forming from plastic material preforms, such as for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the containers being filled with a filling product.

Dans une telle installation de production, on combine par exemple le formage des récipients à partir de préformes et le remplissage de ces récipients dans la continuité de la réalisation de récipients. Une telle installation de production comprend donc généralement une machine de formage formant les récipients à partir de préformes et une machine de remplissage remplissant les récipients formés, un dispositif de transfert étant agencé pour prélever les récipients en sortie de la machine de formage et pour les transmettre à l'entrée de la machine de remplissage.In such a production installation, for example, the forming of containers from preforms and the filling of these containers are combined in the continuity of the production of containers. Such a production installation therefore generally comprises a forming machine forming the containers from preforms and a filling machine filling the formed containers, a transfer device being arranged to pick up the containers at the output of the forming machine and to transmit them at the entrance to the filling machine.

Une telle installation doit être régulièrement nettoyée afin d'éviter tout risque de contamination des récipients ou lorsque le produit de remplissage est remplacé par un autre produit. Dans ce cas, l'installation doit être arrêtée alors même que le nettoyage ne concerne par exemple que la machine de remplissage. Ainsi, la production de récipients remplis est arrêtée au cours du nettoyage. Cet inconvénient peut être très pénalisant lorsque la quantité de récipients à remplir de manière continue avec le même produit et/ou le même récipient, est relativement réduite. Cela engendre de fréquents changements de format. Cette situation se présente en particulier pour le traitement de récipients pour des produits du type shampoing ou produits de soin du corps. Dans cette situation, la durée d'arrêt de la production pour nettoyer l'installation lors du changement de format dégrade fortement le débit moyen de production.Such an installation must be regularly cleaned in order to avoid any risk of contamination of the containers or when the filling product is replaced by another product. In this case, the installation must be stopped even though the cleaning concerns, for example, only the filling machine. Thus, the production of filled containers is stopped during cleaning. This drawback can be very penalizing when the quantity of containers to be filled continuously with the same product and/or the same container is relatively small. This leads to frequent format changes. This situation arises in particular for the treatment of containers for products of the shampoo type or body care products. In this situation, the duration of production stoppage to clean the installation during the format change greatly degrades the average production throughput.

Une telle installation ne permet également que de produire des récipients remplis avec un seul produit de remplissage, l'installation devant être arrêtée pour que le produit de remplissage soit changé. De plus, une telle installation n'est également pas satisfaisante dans le cas où un récipient doit être rempli avec deux produits distincts, en particulier des produits requérant des technologies de remplissage différentes, par exemple lorsque le produit final contenu dans le récipient résulte du mélange des produits pris parmi : un produit très visqueux, un produit fluide, ou un produit ayant des morceaux incorporés dans un liquide.Such an installation also only makes it possible to produce containers filled with a single filling product, the installation having to be stopped for the filling product to be changed. Moreover, such an installation is also not satisfactory in the case where a container must be filled with two distinct products, in particular products requiring different filling technologies, for example when the final product contained in the container results from the mixing products chosen from: a very viscous product, a fluid product, or a product having pieces incorporated into a liquid.

De façon plus générale, une installation de traitement de récipients ne fonctionne pas de façon optimale lorsqu'une machine de traitement fonctionne à une cadence limitée alors qu'une autre machine de traitement peut fonctionner à une cadence plus élevée. En effet, la cadence de traitement est alors limitée par la cadence de traitement de la machine de traitement ayant la plus faible cadence de traitement.More generally, a receptacle treatment installation does not operate optimally when a treatment machine operates at a limited rate while another processing machine can operate at a higher rate. Indeed, the processing rate is then limited by the processing rate of the processing machine having the lowest processing rate.

Par ailleurs, le document DE102010021733 décrit un dispositif de manipulation de récipients selon le préambule de la revendication 1, et le document EP2407417 décrit un système de traitement de récipients.Furthermore, the document DE102010021733 discloses a container handling device according to the preamble of claim 1, and document EP2407417 describes a container processing system.

L'un des buts de l'invention est de proposer une installation de traitement capable de fonctionner en continu même en cours de nettoyage. Un autre but de l'invention est d'augmenter la cadence de traitement et/ou de réduire l'encombrement de l'installation notamment lorsque la succession de traitement à faire présente des débits de traitement différents. Un autre but de l'invention est d'augmenter la flexibilité de l'installation sans multiplier l'encombrement et/ou l'investissement financier requis pour cette flexibilité.One of the aims of the invention is to propose a treatment installation capable of operating continuously even during cleaning. Another object of the invention is to increase the rate of processing and/or to reduce the size of the installation, in particular when the succession of processing to be carried out has different processing rates. Another object of the invention is to increase the flexibility of the installation without increasing the size and/or the financial investment required for this flexibility.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne une installation de traitement d'une succession de récipients comprenant :

  • au moins une machine de traitement initial de la succession de récipients, dans laquelle la succession de récipients subit un traitement initial entre un point d'entrée et un point (26) de sortie de ladite machine de traitement initial,
  • au moins une première machine de traitement supplémentaire et une deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire de la succession de récipients, agencées chacune pour qu'au moins une partie de la succession de récipients ayant subi le traitement initial subisse un traitement supplémentaire dans la première machine de traitement supplémentaire et/ou dans la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire, ledit traitement supplémentaire étant appliqué entre un point d'entrée et un point de sortie de chacune desdites première et deuxième machines de traitement supplémentaire,
  • au moins un premier dispositif de transfert agencé pour prélever la succession de récipients au point de sortie de la machine de traitement initial et pour la distribuer sélectivement au point d'entrée de la première et/ou de la deuxième machines de traitement supplémentaire, l'installation de traitement étant équipée
  • d'une première sortie de l'installation par laquelle peuvent sortir des récipients traités par la première machine de traitement supplémentaire et
  • d'une deuxième sortie de l'installation par laquelle peuvent sortir des récipients traités par la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire, la première et la deuxième sortie de l'installation étant distincte l'une de l'autre.
To this end, the invention relates to an installation for processing a succession of containers comprising:
  • at least one initial processing machine for the succession of containers, in which the succession of containers undergoes initial processing between an entry point and an exit point (26) of said initial processing machine,
  • at least one first additional treatment machine and a second additional treatment machine for the succession of containers, each arranged so that at least part of the succession of containers having undergone the initial treatment undergoes an additional treatment in the first treatment machine additional and/or in the second additional processing machine, said additional processing being applied between an entry point and an exit point of each of said first and second additional processing machines,
  • at least one first transfer device arranged to pick up the succession of containers at the point of exit from the initial processing machine and to distribute it selectively at the point of entry to the first and/or second additional processing machines, the treatment facility being equipped
  • a first outlet of the installation through which containers processed by the first additional processing machine can exit and
  • a second outlet of the installation through which can leave containers treated by the second additional processing machine, the first and the second outlet of the installation being separate from each other.

Selon l'invention, l'installation comprend en outre un deuxième dispositif de transfert actionnable entre une configuration inactive et une configuration active, le deuxième dispositif de transfert en configuration active étant agencé pour prélever la succession de récipients au point de sortie de la première machine de traitement supplémentaire et pour la transférer à la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire.According to the invention, the installation further comprises a second transfer device operable between an inactive configuration and an active configuration, the second transfer device in active configuration being arranged to pick up the succession of containers at the point of exit from the first machine additional processing machine and to transfer it to the second additional processing machine.

Prévoir deux machines de traitement supplémentaire permet de continuer le traitement alors que l'une des machines de traitement supplémentaire subit un nettoyage. Le fait d'avoir des sorties de l'installation distinctes pour chacune des machines de traitement supplémentaire permet de nettoyer jusqu'à cette sortie y compris, notamment en cas d'incident en sortie de récipients traité. De plus, dans le cas où la machine de traitement initial est plus rapide les machine de traitement supplémentaire, la cadence de traitement global peut être augmentée en faisant fonctionner les deux machines de traitement supplémentaire. De plus, la flexibilité de l'installation est augmentée. Chaque machine de traitement supplémentaire peut être utilisée pour appliquer un traitement différent à une partie des récipients. Le deuxième dispositif de transfert permet en outre, en configuration active, d'appliquer deux traitements supplémentaires successifs à la succession de récipients.Providing two additional processing machines makes it possible to continue the processing while one of the additional processing machines undergoes cleaning. The fact of having separate outlets from the installation for each of the additional processing machines makes it possible to clean up to this outlet, including, in particular, in the event of an incident at the outlet of the treated containers. Moreover, in the event that the machine of initial processing is faster with the additional processing machines, the overall processing rate can be increased by running the two additional processing machines. In addition, the flexibility of the installation is increased. Each additional treatment machine can be used to apply a different treatment to a part of the containers. The second transfer device also makes it possible, in active configuration, to apply two successive additional treatments to the succession of containers.

Avantageusement, l'installation de traitement est équipée d'un ensemble d'isolation, comprenant une pluralité de parois mobiles, l'ensemble d'isolation étant actionnable au moins entre :

  • une première configuration d'isolation dans laquelle au moins une partie des parois définissent une première enceinte isolant la première machine de traitement supplémentaire d'un ensemble comprenant la machine de traitement initial, le premier dispositif de transfert et la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire, et
  • une deuxième configuration d'isolation, dans laquelle au moins une partie des parois définissent une deuxième enceinte isolant la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire d'un ensemble comprenant le la machine de traitement initial, le premier dispositif de transfert et la première machine de traitement supplémentaire.
Advantageously, the treatment installation is equipped with an isolation assembly, comprising a plurality of movable walls, the isolation assembly being operable at least between:
  • a first isolation configuration in which at least part of the walls define a first enclosure isolating the first additional processing machine from an assembly comprising the initial processing machine, the first transfer device and the second additional processing machine, and
  • a second isolation configuration, in which at least part of the walls define a second enclosure isolating the second additional processing machine from an assembly comprising the initial processing machine, the first transfer device and the first additional processing machine .

L'ensemble d'isolation permet d'isoler une machine de traitement supplémentaire du reste de l'installation de traitement et ainsi de nettoyer en toute sécurité la machine de traitement supplémentaire sans risquer d'introduire des produits nocifs, tels que des produits de nettoyage, dans le reste de l'installation de traitement.The isolation assembly makes it possible to isolate an additional processing machine from the rest of the processing installation and thus to safely clean the additional processing machine without the risk of introducing harmful products, such as cleaning products , in the rest of the treatment plant.

Avantageusement,

  • la première machine de traitement supplémentaire comprend une première station de transfert mobile entre une position de transfert, dans laquelle la première station de transfert permet de déplacer au moins une partie de la succession de récipients du premier dispositif de transfert à des premières stations de traitement supplémentaire de la première machine de traitement supplémentaire, et une position rétractée, dans laquelle la première station de transfert est placée dans la première enceinte en première configuration d'isolation, et/ou
  • la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire comprend une deuxième station de transfert mobile entre une position de transfert, dans laquelle la deuxième station de transfert permet de déplacer au moins une partie de la succession de récipients du premier dispositif de transfert à des deuxièmes stations de traitement supplémentaire de la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire, et une position rétractée, dans laquelle la deuxième station de transfert est placée dans la deuxième enceinte en deuxième configuration d'isolation.
Advantageously,
  • the first additional processing machine comprises a first transfer station movable between a transfer position, in which the first transfer station makes it possible to move at least part of the succession of containers from the first transfer device to first additional processing stations of the first additional processing machine, and a retracted position, in which the first transfer station is placed in the first enclosure in the first isolation configuration, and/or
  • the second additional processing machine comprises a second transfer station movable between a transfer position, in which the second transfer station makes it possible to move at least part of the succession of containers from the first transfer device to second additional processing stations of the second additional processing machine, and a retracted position, in which the second transfer station is placed in the second enclosure in the second isolation configuration.

Les première et deuxième stations de transfert permettent de séparer physiquement la machine de traitement supplémentaire à isoler afin de permettre la mise en place de l'enceinte.The first and second transfer stations make it possible to physically separate the additional processing machine to be isolated in order to allow the installation of the enclosure.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques avantageuses de l'installation de traitement selon l'invention :

  • l'installation présente une configuration de traitements successifs dans laquelle l'ensemble d'isolation présente en outre une configuration rétractée dans laquelle le deuxième dispositif de transfert est en configuration active,
  • la machine de traitement initial est une machine de formage d'une succession de préformes en une succession de récipients, ladite succession de préformes étant introduite dans ladite machine de formage au point d'entrée et la succession de récipients étant prélevés de ladite machine de formage par le premier dispositif de transfert au point de sortie,
  • la machine de formage comprend une roue de formage, mobile en rotation, portant une pluralité de stations de formage de récipients agencés pour recevoir chacun une préforme et pour former ladite préforme en un récipient entre le point d'entrée et le point de sortie,
  • deux stations de formage successives sont agencées pour former des récipients différents dans une configuration de traitement différencié de l'installation ou identiques, dans une configuration de traitement parallèle de l'installation,
  • les première et deuxième machines de traitement supplémentaire sont des machines de remplissage de récipients, agencées pour introduire un produit dans la partie de la succession de récipients introduite dans chacune desdites machines de remplissage,
  • les première et deuxième machines de traitement supplémentaire sont agencées pour introduire un produit différent dans les récipients transportés dans lesdites première et deuxième machines de traitement supplémentaire,
  • la première et la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire sont des remplisseuses utilisant des techniques de remplissage différentes choisies parmi le remplissage volumétrique, décimétrique ou pondéral,
  • la première machine de traitement supplémentaire est agencée pour introduire un premier produit dans la succession de récipients transportés dans ladite première machine et la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire est agencée pour introduire un deuxième produit dans ladite succession de récipients contenant ledit premier produit dans une configuration de remplissage complémentaire de l'installation.
According to other advantageous characteristics of the treatment installation according to the invention:
  • the installation has a configuration of successive treatments in which the isolation assembly also has a retracted configuration in which the second transfer device is in the active configuration,
  • the initial processing machine is a machine for forming a succession of preforms into a succession of containers, said succession of preforms being introduced into said forming machine at the entry point and the succession of containers being taken from said forming machine by the first transfer device at the exit point,
  • the forming machine comprises a forming wheel, movable in rotation, carrying a plurality of container forming stations arranged to each receive a preform and to form said preform into a container between the entry point and the exit point,
  • two successive forming stations are arranged to form different containers in a differentiated treatment configuration of the installation or identical, in a parallel treatment configuration of the installation,
  • the first and second additional processing machines are container filling machines, arranged to introduce a product into the part of the succession of containers introduced into each of said filling machines,
  • the first and second additional processing machines are arranged to introduce a different product into the containers transported in said first and second additional processing machines,
  • the first and the second additional processing machine are fillers using different filling techniques chosen from volumetric, decimetric or weight filling,
  • the first additional processing machine is arranged to introduce a first product into the succession of containers transported in said first machine and the second additional processing machine is arranged to introduce a second product into said succession of containers containing said first product in a configuration of additional filling of the installation.

L'invention est particulièrement avantageuse lorsque la machine de traitement initial est une machine de formage de récipients et que les machines de traitement supplémentaire sont des machines de remplissage. En effet, dans ce cas, différents modes de fonctionnement peuvent être envisagés, à savoir :

  • un traitement différencié des récipients, par exemple lorsqu'un remplissage différent, soit du fait de la nature du produit de remplissage, soit du fait de la méthode de remplissage ou autre, d'une série de récipients est prévu. Ainsi, il est possible d'obtenir deux types de récipients en sortie de l'installation à partir d'une seule machine de formage.
  • un traitement accéléré des récipients, en utilisant deux machines de remplissage au lieu d'une, comme dans les installations traditionnelles. Ainsi, la cadence de production peut être augmentée.
  • un traitement successif des récipients en plaçant le deuxième dispositif de transfert en position active, ce qui permet de remplir les récipients avec un premier produit puis avec un deuxième produit.
  • un traitement continu. En effet, le nettoyage d'une machine de remplissage, par exemple lorsqu'on souhaite changer le produit de remplissage, peut être réalisé sans arrêter l'installation grâce à l'autre machine de remplissage. Ainsi la perte de productivité est limitée.
The invention is particularly advantageous when the initial processing machine is a container forming machine and the additional processing machines are filling machines. Indeed, in this case, different operating modes can be considered, namely:
  • differentiated treatment of containers, for example when a different filling, either because of the nature of the filling product, or because of the method of filling or otherwise, of a series of containers is provided. Thus, it is possible to obtain two types of containers at the outlet of the installation from a single forming machine.
  • accelerated processing of containers, using two filling machines instead of one, as in traditional installations. Thus, the production rate can be increased.
  • successive processing of the containers by placing the second transfer device in the active position, which makes it possible to fill the containers with a first product and then with a second product.
  • continuous treatment. Indeed, the cleaning of a filling machine, for example when it is desired to change the filling product, can be carried out without stopping the installation thanks to the other filling machine. Thus the loss of productivity is limited.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'installation de traitement selon l'invention, le premier dispositif de transfert comprend des éléments de préhension de récipients répartis sur la périphérie d'une roue de transfert, mobile en rotation, chaque élément de préhension étant agencé pour prélever un récipient au point de sortie de la machine de traitement initial, deux éléments de préhension successifs étant respectivement agencés pour délivrer le récipient transporté, l'un à la première machine de traitement supplémentaire et l'autre à la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire.According to another characteristic of the treatment installation according to the invention, the first transfer device comprises receptacle gripping elements distributed over the periphery of a transfer wheel, movable in rotation, each gripping element being arranged to pick up a container at the point of exit from the initial processing machine, two successive gripping elements being respectively arranged to deliver the transported container, one to the first additional processing machine and the other to the second additional processing machine.

Afin d'aider à mieux comprendre l'installation de l'invention il est divulgué aussi un procédé de changement de traitement appliqué à des récipients par une installation de traitement, le traitement appliqué comprenant au moins un traitement initial suivit par au moins un traitement supplémentaire,

  • le procédé utilisant une installation comprenant :
    • au moins une machine de traitement initial de la succession de récipients,
    • au moins une première machine de traitement supplémentaire conçue pour appliquer un premier traitement supplémentaire et une deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire conçue pour appliquer un deuxième traitement supplémentaire, agencées chacune pour qu'au moins une partie de la succession de récipients ayant subi le traitement initial subisse le premier traitement supplémentaire et/ou le deuxième traitement supplémentaire,
    • un premier dispositif de transfert formant un aiguillage apte à distribuer les récipients de la succession de récipients en au moins un premier point de sortie et/ou un deuxième point de sortie distinct l'un de l'autre, selon une séquence de distribution prédéterminée,
    • un ensemble d'isolation, comprenant une pluralité de parois mobiles, l'ensemble d'isolation étant actionnable au moins entre :
      • ∘ une première configuration d'isolation dans laquelle au moins une partie des parois définissent une première enceinte isolant la première machine de traitement supplémentaire d'un ensemble comprenant au moins la machine de traitement initial et la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire, et
      • ∘ une deuxième configuration d'isolation, dans laquelle au moins une partie des parois définissent une deuxième enceinte isolant la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire d'un ensemble comprenant au moins la machine de traitement initial et la première machine de traitement supplémentaire,
  • le procédé comprenant un passage
  • depuis une phase antérieure dans laquelle l'installation est en deuxième configuration d'isolation et la séquence d'affectation affecte les récipients ayant reçus le traitement initial en totalité vers la première machine de traitement supplémentaire,
  • vers une phase ultérieure dans laquelle l'installation est en première configuration d'isolation et la séquence d'affectation affecte les récipients ayant reçus le traitement initial en totalité vers la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire,
  • le procédé dans lequel la phase antérieure comprend une étape de vérification que la deuxième enceinte satisfait à des critères de propreté requis pour appliquer le deuxième traitement, les récipients traités lors de la phase antérieure sortant de l'installation par une première sortie aménagée dans la partie des parois définissant la première enceinte ,
  • et la phase ultérieure comprend une étape de nettoyage de la première enceinte, les récipients traités lors de la phase ultérieure sortant de l'installation par une deuxième sortie aménagée dans la partie des parois définissant la deuxième enceinte..
In order to help better understand the installation of the invention, there is also disclosed a process for changing the treatment applied to containers by a treatment installation, the treatment applied comprising at least one initial treatment followed by at least one additional treatment,
  • the method using an installation comprising:
    • at least one initial processing machine for the succession of containers,
    • at least one first additional treatment machine designed to apply a first additional treatment and a second additional treatment machine designed to apply a second additional treatment, each arranged so that at least part of the succession of containers having undergone the initial treatment undergoes the first additional treatment and/or the second additional treatment,
    • a first transfer device forming a switch capable of distributing the containers of the succession of containers at at least a first exit point and/or a second exit point distinct from each other, according to a predetermined distribution sequence,
    • an isolation assembly, comprising a plurality of movable walls, the isolation assembly being operable at least between:
      • ∘ a first isolation configuration in which at least part of the walls define a first enclosure isolating the first additional processing machine from an assembly comprising at least the initial processing machine and the second additional processing machine, and
      • ∘ a second isolation configuration, in which at least part of the walls define a second enclosure isolating the second additional processing machine from an assembly comprising at least the initial processing machine and the first additional processing machine,
  • the method comprising a passage
  • from a previous phase in which the installation is in the second isolation configuration and the allocation sequence affects the containers having received the initial treatment in full towards the first additional treatment machine,
  • to a later phase in which the installation is in the first isolation configuration and the allocation sequence affects the containers having received the initial treatment in full towards the second additional treatment machine,
  • the method in which the previous phase comprises a step of verifying that the second enclosure satisfies the cleanliness criteria required to apply the second treatment, the containers treated during the previous phase leaving the installation through a first outlet arranged in the part walls defining the first enclosure,
  • and the subsequent phase comprises a step of cleaning the first enclosure, the containers treated during the subsequent phase leaving the installation through a second outlet arranged in the part of the walls defining the second enclosure.

D'autres aspects et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description qui suit, donnée à titre d'exemple et faite en référence aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la Fig. 1 est une représentation schématique de dessus d'une installation de traitement selon l'invention, l'installation de traitement étant dans une configuration de remplissage différencié ou dans une configuration de traitement parallèle, la première et la deuxième stations de transfert étant chacune dans leur position de transfert.
  • la Fig. 2 est une représentation schématique de l'installation de traitement de la Fig. 1, l'installation de traitement étant dans une configuration de remplissage complémentaire. La première station de transfert est dans sa position de transfert et la deuxième station de transfert est dans sa position rétractée. L'ensemble d'isolation est en configuration rétractée.
  • la Fig. 3 est une représentation schématique de l'installation de traitement de la Fig. 1, au cours du nettoyage de la deuxième machine de traitement supplémentaire, l'ensemble d'isolation étant dans la deuxième configuration d'isolation. La première station de transfert est dans sa position de transfert et la deuxième station de transfert est dans sa position de rétractée.
  • la Fig. 4 est une représentation schématique de l'installation de traitement de la Fig. 1, au cours du nettoyage de la première machine de traitement supplémentaire l'ensemble d'isolation étant dans la première configuration d'isolation. La première station de transfert est dans sa position rétractée et la deuxième station de transfert est dans sa position de transfert.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • the Fig. 1 is a schematic representation from above of a treatment installation according to the invention, the treatment installation being in a differentiated filling configuration or in a parallel treatment configuration, the first and the second transfer stations each being in their position of transfer.
  • the Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the plant for processing the Fig. 1 , the treatment installation being in a complementary filling configuration. The first transfer station is in its transfer position and the second transfer station is in its retracted position. The isolation assembly is in the retracted configuration.
  • the Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the plant for processing the Fig. 1 , during the cleaning of the second additional processing machine, the isolation assembly being in the second isolation configuration. The first transfer station is in its transfer position and the second transfer station is in its retracted position.
  • the Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the plant for processing the Fig. 1 , during the cleaning of the first additional processing machine the insulation assembly being in the first insulation configuration. The first transfer station is in its retracted position and the second transfer station is in its transfer position.

En référence aux Figs. 1 à 4, on décrit une installation de traitement 1 d'une succession de récipients 2. La description sera faite pour le cas où l'installation de traitement est une installation de production d'une succession de récipients à partir d'une succession de préformes 4 en matière plastique. Cependant, l'invention concerne tout type de traitement de récipients, notamment : formage, étiquetage, marquage, remplissage, rinçage des récipients, ou traitement de la paroi des récipients, ou traitement d'une partie de chaque ou de certains récipients, tel que le refroidissement du point d'injection de la préforme d'où est issu le récipient, ou la déformation spécifique d'une partie du récipient.With reference to Figs. 1 to 4 , an installation 1 for processing a succession of containers 2 is described. The description will be made for the case where the treatment installation is an installation for producing a succession of containers from a succession of preforms 4 in plastic material. However, the invention relates to any type of treatment of containers, in particular: forming, labeling, marking, filling, rinsing of the containers, or treatment of the wall of the containers, or treatment of a part of each or certain containers, such as the cooling of the injection point of the preform from which the container comes, or the specific deformation of a part of the container.

L'installation de traitement 1 comprend au moins une machine 6 de traitement initial, une première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire et une deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire. Bien que l'invention s'applique à tout type de machine de traitement de récipients, comme cela sera décrit ultérieurement, la description qui suit va être faite dans le cas où la machine 6 de traitement initial est une machine de formage de récipients 2 à partir de préformes 4 et où les première et deuxième machines de traitement supplémentaire sont des machines de remplissage des récipients 2.The processing installation 1 comprises at least one machine 6 for initial processing, a first machine 8 for additional processing and a second machine 10 extra treatment. Although the invention applies to any type of container processing machine, as will be described later, the following description will be made in the case where the initial processing machine 6 is a container forming machine 2 to from preforms 4 and where the first and second additional processing machines are container filling machines 2.

Chaque préforme 4 comprend un corps 12, un col 14 et une bague 16. Le corps 12 présente par exemple la forme d'un tube à essai avec un fond fermé et définit un volume interne s'étendant selon un axe principal A. Le col 14 s'étend dans la continuité du corps 12 à l'opposé du fond et forme une ouverture supérieure par laquelle un fluide peut être introduit dans le volume interne de la préforme, comme cela sera décrit ultérieurement. Le col 14 de la préforme présente par exemple la forme définitive qu'il aura dans le récipient 2 formé à partir de la préforme 4 et comprend, par exemple, un filetage sur sa paroi externe pour permettre la fixation d'un bouchon sur le récipient. La bague 16 s'étend entre le corps 12 et le col 14 radialement vers l'extérieur et forme par exemple une bague de transport par laquelle la préforme peut être saisie et transportée, comme cela sera décrit ultérieurement. La forme de préforme donnée ci-dessus ne l'est qu'à titre d'exemple et d'autres formes pourraient être envisagées, tant que celles-ci sont appropriées pour former un récipient par introduction d'un fluide dans la préforme. Ainsi, à titre d'exemple, la préforme pourrait présenter un col lisse, être dépourvue de bague, et/ou avoir d'autres variantes de formes selon divers modèles de préforme susceptibles d'être utilisés dans l'installation de traitement1 1. La matière plastique de la préforme est par exemple du polyéthylène téréphtalate (PET). En variante, la matière plastique pourrait être différente du PET, tant que cette matière est susceptible d'être rendue malléable et déformable pour permettre la réalisation d'un récipient par introduction d'un fluide dans la préforme.Each preform 4 comprises a body 12, a neck 14 and a ring 16. The body 12 has for example the shape of a test tube with a closed bottom and defines an internal volume extending along a main axis A. The neck 14 extends in the continuity of the body 12 opposite the bottom and forms an upper opening through which a fluid can be introduced into the internal volume of the preform, as will be described later. The neck 14 of the preform has, for example, the final shape that it will have in the container 2 formed from the preform 4 and comprises, for example, a thread on its outer wall to allow the attachment of a stopper to the container. . The ring 16 extends between the body 12 and the neck 14 radially outward and forms for example a transport ring by which the preform can be gripped and transported, as will be described later. The preform shape given above is only by way of example and other shapes could be envisaged, as long as these are suitable for forming a container by introducing a fluid into the preform. Thus, by way of example, the preform could have a smooth neck, be devoid of a ring, and/or have other variant shapes according to various preform models likely to be used in the treatment installation11. plastic material of the preform is for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET). As a variant, the plastic material could be different from PET, as long as this material is capable of being made malleable and deformable to allow the production of a container by introducing a fluid into the preform.

De façon connue, les préformes 4, avant d'être formées en récipients 2, sont chauffées dans une station de chauffage (non représentée), par exemple un four. La station de chauffage est agencée pour chauffer chaque préforme 4 à une température de référence à laquelle la préforme 4 est dans un état malléable et peut être formée en un récipient. La température de référence est comprise entre la température de transition vitreuse et la température de cristallisation du matériau de la préforme 4.In known manner, the preforms 4, before being formed into containers 2, are heated in a heating station (not shown), for example an oven. The heating station is arranged to heat each preform 4 to a reference temperature at which the preform 4 is in a malleable state and can be formed into a container. The reference temperature is between the glass transition temperature and the crystallization temperature of the material of the preform 4.

En sortie de la station de chauffage, les préformes 4 chauffées sont déplacées jusqu'à un point 18 d'entrée de la machine 6 de traitement initial.On leaving the heating station, the heated preforms 4 are moved to a point 18 of entry to the machine 6 for initial treatment.

Dans le cas d'une machine de formage de récipients 2, la machine 6 de traitement initial comprend une pluralité de stations 20 de formage agencées chacune pour recevoir et former une préforme 4 de la succession de préformes 4 en un récipient. A cet effet, chaque station 20 de formage comprend un moule 22 et un dispositif d'injection d'un fluide de formage. Le moule 22 comprend une cavité de moulage présentant la forme du récipient à produire et agencée pour recevoir le corps 12 de la préforme. Le dispositif d'injection est agencé pour injecter un fluide de formage sous pression dans le volume interne de la préforme 4 par l'ouverture supérieure de celle-ci afin que le corps 12 de la préforme acquière la forme de la cavité de moulage. Le fluide de formage est par exemple un gaz, par exemple de l'air sous pression. Chaque station 20 de formage peut en outre comprendre une tige d'étirage agencée pour exercer un appui sur le fond de la préforme 4 afin de l'étendre selon son axe A.In the case of a container forming machine 2, the initial processing machine 6 comprises a plurality of forming stations 20 each arranged to receive and form a preform 4 of the succession of preforms 4 into a container. For this purpose, each forming station 20 comprises a mold 22 and a device for injecting a forming fluid. The mold 22 comprises a molding cavity having the shape of the container to be produced and arranged to receive the body 12 of the preform. The injection device is arranged to inject a forming fluid under pressure into the internal volume of the preform 4 through the upper opening of the latter so that the body 12 of the preform acquires the shape of the molding cavity. The forming fluid is for example a gas, for example pressurized air. Each forming station 20 may further comprise a drawing rod arranged to exert a bearing on the bottom of the preform 4 in order to extend it along its axis A.

Les stations 20 de formage sont par exemple portées par une roue 24 de formage, ou carrousel, mobile en rotation autour d'un axe de rotation, par exemple parallèle aux axes A des préformes 4 lorsqu'elles sont dans la machine 6 de traitement initial. Les stations 20 de formage sont portées sur la périphérie de la roue 24 de formage de sorte qu'elles se déplacent le long d'un trajet circulaire défini par la roue 24 de formage entre le point 18 d'entrée et un point 26 de sortie. Au point 18 d'entrée, le moule est ouvert et est agencé pour recevoir une préforme 4, puis le moule 22 est fermé, le dispositif d'injection est placé en communication fluidique avec le volume interne de la préforme et le fluide de formage est injecté dans la préforme au cours du déplacement de la station de formage entre le point 18 d'entrée et le point 26 de sortie. Au point 26 de sortie, le moule 22 est ouvert et le récipient formé est extrait de la station 20 de formage.The forming stations 20 are for example carried by a forming wheel 24 , or carousel, rotatable about an axis of rotation, for example parallel to the axes A of the preforms 4 when they are in the machine 6 for initial processing. . The forming stations 20 are carried on the periphery of the forming wheel 24 so that they travel along a circular path defined by the forming wheel 24 between the entry point 18 and an exit point 26 . At point 18 of entry, the mold is open and is arranged to receive a preform 4, then the mold 22 is closed, the injection device is placed in fluid communication with the internal volume of the preform and the forming fluid is injected into the preform during movement of the forming station between point 18 of entry and point 26 of exit. At point 26 of exit, the mold 22 is opened and the formed container is extracted from the station 20 of forming.

Selon mode de réalisation, toutes les stations 20 de formage, et notamment les cavités de moulage, sont identiques de sorte que toutes les stations 20 de formage sont agencées pour former des récipients 2 identiques. Selon un autre mode de réalisation, certaines stations 20 de formage sont différentes et permettent de créer des récipients 2 de forme et/ou de contenance différentes, par exemple en modifiant la forme des cavités de moulage des stations 20 de formage en question. Selon ce mode de réalisation, comme représenté sur la Fig. 1, des stations 20A de formage agencées pour former un premier type de récipients 2A et des stations 20B de formage agencées pour former un deuxième type de récipients 2B sont disposées alternativement sur la roue 24 de formage de sorte que deux stations 20A, 20B de formage successives forment deux récipients différents. Le passage d'un mode de réalisation à l'autre se fait par exemple simplement en changeant un moule sur deux sur la roue de formage 24. En alternative ou en complément, les stations 20A et 20B de formage pourraient être agencées pour recevoir deux types de préformes différents, par exemple des préformes réalisées en des matériaux différents. Les stations 20A et 20B de formage pourraient également être agencées pour former des récipients dans des conditions différentes, par exemple à des courbes de pression différentes et/ou à des pressions de formage différentes. Il est également entendu que plus de deux types de stations de formage différents pourraient être prévus pour former plusieurs types de récipients différents.According to one embodiment, all the forming stations 20, and in particular the molding cavities, are identical so that all the forming stations 20 are arranged to form identical containers 2 . According to another embodiment, some forming stations 20 are different and make it possible to create containers 2 of different shape and/or capacity, for example by modifying the shape of the molding cavities of the forming stations 20 in question. According to this embodiment, as shown in the Fig. 1 , forming stations 20A arranged to form a first type of container 2A and forming stations 20B arranged to form a second type of container 2B are arranged alternately on the forming wheel 24 so that two successive forming stations 20A, 20B form two different vessels. The transition from one embodiment to another is done for example simply by changing one out of two molds on the forming wheel 24. Alternatively or in addition, the forming stations 20A and 20B could be arranged to receive two types of different preforms, for example preforms made of different materials. The forming stations 20A and 20B could also be arranged to form containers under different conditions, for example at different pressure curves and/or at different forming pressures. It is also understood that more than two different types of forming stations could be provided to form several different types of containers.

Au point 26 de sortie de la machine de traitement initial, les récipients 2 formés sont prélevés par un premier dispositif 28 de transfert. Le premier dispositif 28 de transfert est par exemple formé par une roue 30 de transfert, mobile en rotation autour d'un axe parallèle à l'axe de rotation de la roue de formage 24, comprenant une pluralité d'éléments 32 de préhension agencés pour saisir chacun un récipient 2 au point 26 de sortie de la machine 6 de traitement initial. Les éléments 32 de préhension sont par exemple formés par des pinces agencées pour saisir les récipients par la bague 16 de ceux-ci. Dans le cas où deux types de récipients 2A, 2B sont produits par la machine 6 de traitement initial, le premier dispositif 28 de transfert peut, si nécessaire, être adapté en conséquence, par exemple en adaptant, le cas échéant, un élément 32 de préhension sur deux au type de récipient à saisir. Dans ce cas également, la roue 30 de transfert est synchronisée avec la roue 24 de formage de sorte que les éléments 32 de préhension correspondant au type de récipient produit se trouvent au point 26 de sortie lorsque ce type de récipient est délivré au point 26 de sortie par la machine 6 de traitement initial.At the exit point 26 from the initial processing machine, the containers 2 formed are picked up by a first transfer device 28 . The first transfer device 28 is for example formed by a transfer wheel 30 , movable in rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the forming wheel 24, comprising a plurality of gripping elements 32 arranged to each enter a container 2 at the exit point 26 of the machine 6 for initial processing. The gripping elements 32 are for example formed by grippers arranged to grip the containers by the ring 16 thereof. In the case where two types of containers 2A, 2B are produced by the initial processing machine 6, the first transfer device 28 can, if necessary, be adapted accordingly, for example by adapting, if necessary, an element 32 of handle out of two to the type of container to be grabbed. In this case also, the transfer wheel 30 is synchronized with the forming wheel 24 so that the gripping elements 32 corresponding to the type of container produced are at the exit point 26 when this type of container is delivered to the point 26 of output by the initial processing machine 6.

Le premier dispositif 28 de transfert forme un aiguillage apte à distribuer les récipients 2 de la succession de récipients 2 en au moins un premier point 34 de sortie et/ou en un deuxième point 36 de sortie distinct l'un de l'autre. Un tel type d'aiguillage est connu en soi et la façon dont une roue de transfert peut sélectivement délivrer des récipients en deux points de sortie distincts est par exemple décrite dans le document EP-1 235 729 .The first transfer device 28 forms a switch capable of distributing the containers 2 of the succession of containers 2 in at least one first outlet point 34 and/or in a second outlet point 36 which are distinct from each other. Such a type of switching is known per se and the way in which a transfer wheel can selectively deliver containers at two distinct exit points is for example described in the document EP-1 235 729 .

Au premier point 34 de sortie, le premier dispositif 28 de transfert est apte à transmettre une partie des récipients 2 à la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire et au deuxième point 36 de sortie, le premier dispositif 28 de transfert est apte à transmettre une autre partie des récipients 2 à la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire.At the first output point 34, the first transfer device 28 is capable of transmitting part of the containers 2 to the first additional processing machine 8 and at the second output point 36, the first transfer device 28 is capable of transmitting another part of the containers 2 to the second machine 10 for additional processing.

Ainsi, dans le cas où la machine 6 de traitement initial produit deux types de récipients, les premiers types de récipients 2A sont transmis à la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire et les deuxièmes types de récipients 2B sont transmis à la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire. L'installation de traitement 1 est alors dans une configuration de traitement différencié.Thus, in the case where the initial processing machine 6 produces two types of containers, the first types of containers 2A are transmitted to the first additional processing machine 8 and the second types of containers 2B are transmitted to the second processing machine 10 additional. The treatment installation 1 is then in a differentiated treatment configuration.

Dans le cas où la machine 6 de traitement initial produit un seul type de récipients, un récipient sur deux est transmis à la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire et les autres récipients sont transmis à la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire. L'installation de traitement 1 est alors dans une configuration de traitement parallèle.In the case where the initial processing machine 6 produces a single type of container, one out of two containers is transmitted to the first additional processing machine 8 and the other containers are transmitted to the second processing machine 10 additional. The processing installation 1 is then in a parallel processing configuration.

On notera que, dans d'autres configurations de l'installation qui seront décrites ultérieurement, le premier dispositif 28 de transfert ne transmet des récipients qu'à une seule des deux machines de traitement supplémentaire.It will be noted that, in other configurations of the installation which will be described later, the first transfer device 28 only transmits containers to one of the two additional processing machines.

La première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire comprend une première station 38 de transfert et une première roue 40 de remplissage.The first additional processing machine 8 comprises a first transfer station 38 and a first filling wheel 40 .

La première station 38 de transfert est agencée, dans une position de transfert, pour prélever les récipients 2 au premier point 34 de sortie du premier dispositif 28 de transfert qui forme également le point d'entrée 34 de la première machine de traitement supplémentaire. A cet effet, la première station 38 de transfert est par exemple formée par une roue de transfert pourvue d'éléments de préhension, du même type que la roue 30 de transfert du premier dispositif 28 de transfert. La première station 38 de transfert transmet les récipients prélevés à la première roue 40 de remplissage.The first transfer station 38 is arranged, in a transfer position, to pick up the containers 2 at the first exit point 34 of the first transfer device 28 which also forms the entry point 34 of the first additional processing machine. For this purpose, the first transfer station 38 is for example formed by a transfer wheel provided with gripping elements, of the same type as the transfer wheel 30 of the first transfer device 28 . The first transfer station 38 transmits the collected containers to the first wheel 40 for filling.

La première roue 40 de remplissage est mobile en rotation autour d'un axe de rotation parallèle à l'axe de rotation de la roue de formage 24. La première roue 40 de remplissage porte une pluralité de stations 42 de remplissage, ou premières stations de traitement supplémentaire. Chaque station 42 de remplissage est agencée pour recevoir et remplir un récipient 2. A cet effet, chaque station 42 de remplissage comprend un support de récipient et un dispositif de remplissage du récipient. Le dispositif de remplissage est agencé pour introduire un produit de remplissage dans le volume interne du récipient 2 par l'ouverture supérieure de celui-ci. Le produit de remplissage est par exemple un liquide, qui peut être plus ou moins visqueux, carbonaté ou non, comprendre des morceaux solides. Le produit de remplissage peut être refroidi, à température ambiante ou chaud au cours du remplissage. Les stations 42 de remplissage sont portées par la périphérie de la première roue 40 de remplissage de sorte que les stations 42 de remplissage suivent un trajet circulaire entre un point 44 d'entrée et un point 46 de sortie de la roue 42 de remplissage. Entre le point d'entrée et le point de sortie, le dispositif de remplissage est placé en regard du volume interne du récipient 2 et le produit de remplissage est introduit dans le récipient au cours du déplacement de la station de remplissage.The first filling wheel 40 is rotatable around an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the forming wheel 24. The first filling wheel 40 carries a plurality of filling stations 42 , or first filling stations. additional treatment. Each filling station 42 is arranged to receive and fill a container 2. To this end, each filling station 42 comprises a container support and a device for filling the container. The filling device is arranged to introduce a filling product into the internal volume of the container 2 through the upper opening thereof. The filling product is for example a liquid, which can be more or less viscous, carbonated or not, and include solid pieces. The filling product can be cooled, at room temperature or hot during filling. The filling stations 42 are carried by the periphery of the first filling wheel 40 so that the filling stations 42 follow a circular path between an entry point 44 and an exit point 46 of the filling wheel 42 . Between the entry point and the exit point, the filling device is placed facing the internal volume of the container 2 and the filling product is introduced into the container during the movement of the filling station.

Au point 46 de sortie, un deuxième dispositif 48 de transfert prélève les récipients remplis et les fait sortir de la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire pour les transférer vers une sortie de l'installation de formage 1 ou vers la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire, comme cela sera décrit ultérieurement. Le deuxième dispositif 48 de transfert est par exemple du même type que le premier dispositif 28 de transfert, c'est-à-dire qu'il est formé d'une roue portant des éléments de préhension.At the exit point 46, a second transfer device 48 picks up the filled containers and brings them out of the first additional processing machine 8 to transfer them to an output of the forming installation 1 or to the second additional processing machine 10 , as will be described later. The second transfer device 48 is for example of the same type as the first transfer device 28, that is to say it is formed of a wheel carrying gripping elements.

La structure de la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire est sensiblement identique à celle de la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire. C'est-à-dire que la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire comprend une deuxième station 50 de transfert et une deuxième roue 52 de remplissage.The structure of the second machine 10 for additional processing is substantially identical to that of the first machine 8 for additional processing. That is to say that the second additional processing machine 10 comprises a second transfer station 50 and a second filling wheel 52 .

Dans une configuration inactive du deuxième dispositif de transfert et dans une position de transfert de la deuxième station 50 de transfert, ladite deuxième station 50 de transfert est agencée pour prélever les récipients 2 au deuxième point de sortie 36 du premier dispositif 28 de transfert qui forme également le point d'entrée 36 de la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire. A cet effet, la deuxième station 38 de transfert est par exemple formée par une roue de transfert pourvue d'éléments de préhension, du même type que la roue 30 de transfert du premier dispositif 28 de transfert. La deuxième station 50 de transfert transmet les récipients prélevés à la deuxième roue 52 de remplissage.In an inactive configuration of the second transfer device and in a transfer position of the second transfer station 50, said second transfer station 50 is arranged to pick up the containers 2 at the second exit point 36 of the first transfer device 28 which forms also the entry point 36 of the second additional processing machine 10. For this purpose, the second transfer station 38 is for example formed by a transfer wheel provided with gripping elements, of the same type as the transfer wheel 30 of the first transfer device 28 . The second transfer station 50 transmits the collected containers to the second wheel 52 for filling.

La deuxième roue 52 de remplissage est mobile en rotation autour d'un axe de rotation parallèle à l'axe de rotation de la roue de formage 24. La deuxième roue 40 de remplissage porte une pluralité de stations 54 de remplissage, ou deuxièmes stations de traitement supplémentaire, chacune agencée pour recevoir et remplir un récipient 2 entre un point 56 d'entrée et un point 58 de sortie de la deuxième roue 52 de remplissage. La structure des stations 54 de remplissage est par exemple la même que celle des stations 42 de remplissage de la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire et ne sera pas décrite plus en détail.The second filling wheel 52 is rotatable around an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the forming wheel 24. The second filling wheel 40 carries a plurality of filling stations 54 , or second filling stations. additional treatment, each arranged to receive and fill a container 2 between an entry point 56 and an exit point 58 of the second wheel 52 of filling. The structure of the filling stations 54 is for example the same as that of the filling stations 42 of the first additional processing machine 8 and will not be described in more detail.

Au point 58 de sortie de la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire, un troisième dispositif 60 de transfert prélève les récipients remplis et les fait sortir de la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire pour les transférer vers une sortie de l'installation de traitement 1.At the exit point 58 of the second additional processing machine 10, a third transfer device 60 picks up the filled containers and brings them out of the first additional processing machine 8 to transfer them to an output of the processing installation 1.

Dans le cas où la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire et/ou la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire est une remplisseuse, les récipients 2 sont avantageusement bouchés avant de sortir de l'installation (la ou les boucheuses ne sont pas représentées).In the case where the first additional processing machine 8 and/or the second additional processing machine 10 is a filler, the containers 2 are advantageously capped before leaving the installation (the capper(s) are not shown).

L'installation de traitement 1 selon l'invention permet donc, à partir d'une machine 6 de traitement initial, d'effectuer un traitement supplémentaire à une partie des récipients dans la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire et un autre traitement supplémentaire à l'autre partie des récipients dans la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire lorsque l'installation de traitement 1 se trouve dans la configuration de traitement différencié ou dans la configuration de traitement parallèle. Ainsi, dans ces configurations, une partie des récipients suit le trajet représenté en trait continu sur la Fig. 1 dans la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire tandis que l'autre partie suit le trajet représenté en traits mixtes sur la Fig. 1 dans la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire.The treatment installation 1 according to the invention therefore makes it possible, from an initial treatment machine 6, to carry out an additional treatment on part of the containers in the first machine 8 for additional treatment and another additional treatment at the other part of the containers in the second additional processing machine 10 when the processing installation 1 is in the configuration of differentiated processing or in the parallel processing configuration. Thus, in these configurations, some of the containers follow the path shown in continuous line on the Fig. 1 in the first additional processing machine 8 while the other party follows the path shown in phantom on the Fig. 1 in the second additional processing machine 10.

Les deux traitements supplémentaires, à savoir un remplissage selon l'exemple décrit ici, peuvent être différents ou identiques l'un de l'autre.The two additional treatments, namely a filling according to the example described here, can be different or identical to each other.

Par identiques, on entend que le produit de remplissage introduit dans les récipients au cours des premier et deuxième traitements supplémentaire est le même et qu'il est injecté dans les mêmes conditions dans les stations 42 et 54 de remplissage. Par différents, on entend tout type de différence entre les deux traitements supplémentaires, dans la nature du produit de remplissage et/ou dans les conditions de remplissage. Ainsi, à titre d'exemple, le produit de remplissage introduit dans les récipients dans la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire est différent du produit de remplissage introduit dans les récipients de la deuxième machine de traitement. En variante ou en complément, les conditions de remplissage, telles que la température du produit, le volume de produit introduit dans chaque récipient ou autre, sont différentes. En variante ou en complément, les techniques de remplissage sont différentes et choisies parmi le remplissage volumétrique, débimétrique ou pondéral. Ainsi, lorsque la machine 6 de traitement initial produit deux types de récipients 2A, 2B, le remplissage de ces récipients peut être adapté à ces types de récipients, par exemple en termes de volume de produit de remplissage introduit dans les récipients. Lorsque les récipients sont identiques ils peuvent également être remplis par des produits différents.By identical, it is meant that the filling product introduced into the containers during the first and second additional treatments is the same and that it is injected under the same conditions into the filling stations 42 and 54. By different is meant any type of difference between the two additional treatments, in the nature of the filling product and/or in the filling conditions. Thus, by way of example, the filling product introduced into the containers in the first additional processing machine 8 is different from the filling product introduced into the containers of the second processing machine. As a variant or in addition, the filling conditions, such as the temperature of the product, the volume of product introduced into each container or the like, are different. As a variant or in addition, the filling techniques are different and chosen from volumetric, debimetric or weight filling. Thus, when the initial processing machine 6 produces two types of containers 2A, 2B, the filling of these containers can be adapted to these types of containers, for example in terms of the volume of filling product introduced into the containers. When the containers are identical they can also be filled with different products.

En configurations de traitement différencié et de traitement parallèle, l'installation de traitement 1 offre donc de nombreuses possibilités et un large choix dans le traitement des récipients. On notera que, lorsque l'installation de traitement 1 est en configuration de traitement parallèle et que les traitements supplémentaires sont identiques, l'installation de traitement 1 fonctionne à une cadence particulièrement élevée puisque les deux machines de traitement supplémentaire produisent les mêmes récipients.In differentiated treatment and parallel treatment configurations, the treatment installation 1 therefore offers numerous possibilities and a wide choice in the treatment of containers. It will be noted that, when the processing installation 1 is in parallel processing configuration and the additional processing operations are identical, the processing installation 1 operates at a particularly high rate since the two additional processing machines produce the same containers.

L'installation de traitement 1 peut également être placée dans une configuration de traitement successif des récipients représentée sur la Fig. 2.The treatment installation 1 can also be placed in a configuration for the successive treatment of the containers shown in the Fig. 2 .

Dans ce cas, tous les récipients 2 produits par la machine 6 de traitement initial sont transférés à la première machine de traitement supplémentaire 8. Ceci peut être obtenu en n'utilisant qu'une station 20 de formage sur deux, c'est-à-dire en n'alimentant pas en préformes 4 les stations 20 de formage produisant des récipients destinés à être transférés à la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire. Ainsi, le premier dispositif 28 de transfert, synchronisé avec la machine de traitement initial, n'alimente en récipients que le premier point de sortie 34 et les éléments 32 de préhension sont vides lorsqu'ils arrivent au deuxième point 36 de sortie. Ainsi, le passage à la configuration de traitement successif ne nécessite pas d'effectuer une nouvelle synchronisation de la machine 6 de traitement initial et du premier dispositif 28 de transfert. En variante, on pourrait prévoir d'utiliser toutes les stations 20 de formage pour former des récipients et prévoir entre la sortie la machine de traitement initial et le premier dispositif de transfert des moyens pour modifier le pas entre les récipients afin de rendre le premier dispositif de transfert apte à prélever tous les récipients en provenance de la machine de traitement initial.In this case, all the containers 2 produced by the initial processing machine 6 are transferred to the first additional processing machine 8. This can be obtained by using only one forming station 20 out of two, i.e. that is to say, by not supplying preforms 4 to the forming stations 20 producing containers intended to be transferred to the second machine 10 for additional processing. So the first transfer device 28, synchronized with the initial processing machine, only supplies containers to the first outlet point 34 and the gripping elements 32 are empty when they arrive at the second outlet point 36 . Thus, the passage to the successive processing configuration does not require carrying out a new synchronization of the initial processing machine 6 and of the first transfer device 28 . As a variant, provision could be made to use all the forming stations 20 to form containers and provide, between the output of the initial processing machine and the first transfer device, means for modifying the pitch between the containers in order to make the first device transfer capable of picking up all the containers from the initial processing machine.

Dans la configuration de traitement successif, le deuxième dispositif 48 de transfert est déplacé d'une position inactive, dans laquelle le deuxième dispositif 48 de transfert, transfert les récipients du point 46 de sortie de la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire vers la sortie de l'installation, à une position active, dans laquelle le deuxième dispositif 48 de transfert, transfert les récipients du point 46 de sortie de la première machine de traitement supplémentaire à un deuxième point 62 d'entrée de la roue 52 de remplissage de la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire. Le déplacement de la position inactive à la position active se fait par exemple par translation de la roue du deuxième dispositif 48 de transfert de sorte à rapprocher celle-ci de la roue 52 de remplissage de la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire, comme représenté sur la Fig. 2.In the successive processing configuration, the second transfer device 48 is moved from an inactive position, in which the second transfer device 48, transfers the containers from the exit point 46 of the first additional processing machine 8 to the exit of the installation, in an active position, in which the second transfer device 48 transfers the containers from the exit point 46 of the first additional processing machine to a second entry point 62 of the filling wheel 52 of the second 10 additional processing machine. The movement from the inactive position to the active position is done for example by translation of the wheel of the second transfer device 48 so as to bring it closer to the filling wheel 52 of the second additional processing machine 10, as shown in the Fig. 2 .

Ainsi, en configuration de traitement successif, les récipients 2, après avoir subi le premier traitement supplémentaire, subissent le deuxième traitement supplémentaire. Dans le cas d'un remplissage, la configuration de traitement successif permet ainsi de remplir partiellement les récipients avec un premier produit de remplissage dans la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire puis de compléter ce remplissage avec un deuxième produit de remplissage dans la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire. Le trajet suivi par les récipients 2 en configuration de traitement successif est représenté en trait continu sur la Fig. 2.Thus, in the successive treatment configuration, the containers 2, after having undergone the first additional treatment, undergo the second additional treatment. In the case of a filling, the successive processing configuration thus makes it possible to partially fill the containers with a first filling product in the first machine 8 for additional processing and then to complete this filling with a second filling product in the second machine 10 additional processing. The path followed by the containers 2 in successive processing configuration is shown in continuous line on the Fig. 2 .

Après le deuxième remplissage, les récipients sont évacués vers la sortie de l'installation de traitement au moyen du troisième dispositif 60 de transfert en sortie de la roue 52 de remplissage de la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire.After the second filling, the containers are evacuated to the outlet of the treatment installation by means of the third transfer device 60 at the outlet of the wheel 52 for filling the second machine 10 for additional treatment.

L'installation de traitement 1 comprend en outre une enceinte 64, représentée partiellement sur les figures, dans laquelle les machines de traitement et dispositifs de transfert de l'installation sont installés afin de les isoler de l'environnement extérieur et ainsi les conserver dans une atmosphère contrôlée et permettre d'empêcher l'accès à l'installation lorsque celle-ci est en fonctionnement normal.The treatment installation 1 further comprises an enclosure 64, shown partially in the figures, in which the treatment machines and transfer devices of the installation are installed in order to isolate them from the external environment and thus keeping them in a controlled atmosphere and making it possible to prevent access to the installation when the latter is in normal operation.

L'enceinte 64 est en outre pourvue d'un ensemble d'isolation comprenant des parois 66 amovibles permettant lorsqu'elles sont mises en place d'isoler la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire (Fig. 4) ou la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire (Fig. 3) du reste de l'installation de traitement 1, lorsque celle-ci est placée dans une configuration de nettoyage.The enclosure 64 is further provided with an insulation assembly comprising removable walls 66 making it possible, when they are put in place, to isolate the first machine 8 for additional processing ( Fig. 4 ) or the second additional processing machine 10 ( Fig. 3 ) from the rest of the processing installation 1, when the latter is placed in a cleaning configuration.

En fonctionnement normal, l'ensemble d'isolation est dans une configuration rétractée, dans laquelle les récipients 2 peuvent circuler dans toute l'installation de production.In normal operation, the insulation assembly is in a retracted configuration, in which the containers 2 can circulate throughout the production installation.

Lorsque l'on souhaite nettoyer la première machine de traitement supplémentaire 10, par exemple avant un changement de produit de remplissage, des parois 66 de l'ensemble d'isolation sont mises en place dans une première configuration d'isolation de sorte à définir une première enceinte isolant la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire du reste de l'installation de traitement, c'est-à-dire de la machine 6 de traitement initial, du premier dispositif de transfert 18, de la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire. Le deuxième dispositif 48 de transfert, en position inactive, est également placée dans l'espace isolé défini par les parois 66 et l'enceinte 64. La première station 38 de transfert est par exemple rétractable dans une position rétractée pour loger dans l'espace défini par les parois 66 et l'enceinte et pour séparer la première station 38 de transfert du premier point de sortie 34. Ainsi, des produits détergents peuvent être utilisés dans l'espace isolé logeant la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire sans risquer que ces produits n'atteignent le reste de l'installation de traitement. Dans cette configuration de nettoyage, l'installation de traitement peut continuer à fonctionner en produisant des récipients et en les transférant à la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire. Dans ce cas, des récipients ne sont produits que dans une station 20 de formage sur deux afin que le premier dispositif de transfert 18 ne fournisse des récipients qu'à la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire. Le trajet suivi par les récipients dans cette configuration de nettoyage est représenté en trait continu sur la Fig. 4.When it is desired to clean the first additional processing machine 10, for example before a change of filling product, walls 66 of the insulation assembly are placed in a first insulation configuration so as to define a first enclosure isolating the first additional processing machine 8 from the rest of the processing installation, that is to say from the initial processing machine 6, from the first transfer device 18, from the second additional processing machine 10 . The second transfer device 48, in the inactive position, is also placed in the isolated space defined by the walls 66 and the enclosure 64. The first transfer station 38 is for example retractable in a retracted position to accommodate in the space defined by the walls 66 and the enclosure and to separate the first transfer station 38 from the first exit point 34. Thus, detergent products can be used in the isolated space housing the first additional treatment machine 8 without risking that these products do not reach the rest of the processing facility. In this cleaning configuration, the processing plant can continue to operate by producing containers and transferring them to the second additional processing machine. In this case, containers are only produced in one out of two forming stations 20 so that the first transfer device 18 supplies containers only to the second machine 10 for additional processing. The path followed by the containers in this cleaning configuration is represented by a continuous line on the Fig. 4 .

Lorsque l'on souhaite nettoyer la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire, par exemple avant un changement de produit de remplissage, des parois 66 de l'ensemble d'isolation sont mises en place dans une deuxième configuration d'isolation de sorte à former une deuxième enceinte isolant la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire du reste de l'installation de traitement, c'est-à-dire de la machine 6 de traitement initial, du premier dispositif de transfert 18, de la première machine 8 de traitement supplémentaire et du deuxième dispositif 48 de transfert. Pour ce faire, la deuxième station 50 de transfert est par exemple rétractable dans une position rétractée pour loger dans l'espace défini par les parois 66 et l'enceinte et pour séparer la deuxième station 50 de transfert du deuxième point 36 de sortie. Ainsi, des produits détergents peuvent être utilisés dans l'espace isolé logeant la deuxième machine 10 de traitement supplémentaire sans risquer que ces produits n'atteignent le reste de l'installation de traitement. Dans cette configuration de nettoyage, l'installation de traitement peut continuer à fonctionner en produisant des récipients et en les transférant à la première machine de traitement supplémentaire 8. Dans ce cas, comme pour la configuration de traitement successif, des récipients ne sont produits que dans une station 20 de formage sur deux afin que le premier dispositif de transfert 18 ne fournisse des récipients qu'à la première machine de traitement supplémentaire 8. Le trajet suivi par les récipients dans cette configuration de nettoyage est représenté en trait continu sur la Fig. 3.When it is desired to clean the second additional processing machine 10, for example before a change of filling product, walls 66 of the insulation assembly are placed in a second insulation configuration so as to form a second enclosure isolating the second additional processing machine 10 from the rest of the processing installation, that is to say from the initial processing machine 6, from the first transfer device 18, from the first additional processing machine 8 and the second transfer device 48 . To do this, the second transfer station 50 is for example retractable in a retracted position to fit in the space defined by the walls 66 and the enclosure and to separate the second transfer station 50 from the second point 36 of exit. Thus, detergent products can be used in the isolated space housing the second additional treatment machine 10 without risking these products reaching the rest of the treatment installation. In this cleaning configuration, the processing plant can continue to operate by producing containers and transferring them to the first additional processing machine 8. In this case, as with the successive processing configuration, containers are only produced in one out of two forming stations 20 so that the first transfer device 18 supplies containers only to the first additional processing machine 8. The path followed by the containers in this cleaning configuration is shown in continuous line on the Fig. 3 .

L'installation de traitement décrite ci-dessus ne l'a été qu'à titre d'exemple et pourrait être différente. Ainsi, d'autres dispositifs ou machines pourraient être ajoutés à l'installation, tels qu'une machine d'étiquetage, une machine de bouchage, etc. La machine 6 de traitement initial pourrait être un autre type de machine, par exemple une machine de remplissage, les machines de traitement supplémentaires étant dans ce cas des machines de bouchage par exemple. De façon plus générale, l'invention peut s'appliquer à tout type de machines, dès lors que ces machines appliquent des traitements successifs aux récipients.The treatment installation described above has been described only as an example and could be different. Thus, other devices or machines could be added to the installation, such as a labeling machine, a capping machine, etc. The initial processing machine 6 could be another type of machine, for example a filling machine, the additional processing machines being in this case capping machines for example. More generally, the invention can be applied to any type of machine, provided that these machines apply successive treatments to the containers.

Claims (12)

  1. Treatment installation (1) for treating a series of containers (2), comprising:
    - at least one initial treatment machine (6) for the initial treatment of the series of containers (2), in which the series of containers (2) are subjected to an initial treatment between an entry point (18) and an exit point (26) of said initial treatment machine (6),
    - at least one first additional treatment machine (8) and a second additional treatment machine (10) for the additional treatment of the series of containers (2), said first and second additional treatment machines each being arranged such that at least a portion of the series of containers (2) that have been subjected to the initial treatment are subjected to an additional treatment in the first additional treatment machine (8) and/or in the second additional treatment machine (10), said additional treatment being applied between an entry point (34, 36) and an exit point (46, 58) of each of said first and second additional treatment machines (8, 10),
    - at least one first transfer device (28) arranged so as to collect the series of containers (2) at the exit point (26) of the initial treatment device (6) and to selectively distribute them to the entry point (34, 36) of the first and/or the second additional treatment machine (8, 10),
    the treatment installation being equipped
    - with a first exit from the installation, through which containers treated by the first additional treatment machine can exit, and
    - with a second exit from the installation, through which containers treated by the second additional treatment machine can exit, the first and the second exit from the installation being separate from one another,
    characterized in that the installation further comprises a second transfer device (48) which can be actuated between an inactive configuration and an active configuration, the second transfer device (48) in the active configuration being arranged so as to collect the series of containers (2) at the exit point (46) of the first additional treatment machine (8) and to transfer them to the second additional treatment machine (10).
  2. Treatment installation according to Claim 1, further comprising an isolation assembly, comprising a plurality of movable walls (66), the isolation assembly being able to be actuated at least between:
    - a first isolation configuration, in which at least a portion of the walls (66) define a first enclosure isolating the first additional treatment machine (8) from an assembly comprising the initial treatment machine (6), the first transfer device (28) and the second additional treatment machine (10), and
    - a second isolation configuration, in which at least a portion of the walls (66) define a second enclosure isolating the second additional treatment machine (10) from an assembly comprising the initial treatment machine (6), the first transfer device (28) and the first additional treatment machine (8).
  3. Treatment installation according to Claim 2, wherein:
    - the first additional treatment machine (8) comprises a first transfer station (38) which is movable between:
    * a transfer position, in which the first transfer station (38) makes it possible to move at least a portion of the series of containers (2) from the first transfer device (28) to first additional treatment stations (42) of the first additional treatment machine (8), and
    * a retracted position, in which the first transfer station (38) is placed in the first enclosure in the first isolation configuration; and/or
    - the second additional treatment machine (10) comprises a second transfer station (50) which is movable between:
    * a transfer position, in which the second transfer station (50) makes it possible to move at least a portion of the series of containers (2) from the first transfer device (28) to second additional treatment stations (54) of the second additional treatment machine (10), and
    * a retracted position, in which the second transfer station (50) is placed in the second enclosure in the second isolation configuration.
  4. Installation according to Claim 2, having a configuration for successive treatments in which the isolation assembly further has a retracted configuration in which the second transfer device is in the active configuration.
  5. Treatment installation according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the initial treatment machine (6) is a shaping machine for shaping a series of preforms (4) into a series of containers (2), said series of preforms (4) being introduced into said shaping machine at the entry point (18) and the series of containers (2) being collected from said shaping machine by the first transfer device (28) at the exit point (26).
  6. Treatment installation according to Claim 5, wherein the shaping machine comprises a shaping wheel (24), which is movable in rotation, and which bears a plurality of shaping stations (20, 20A, 20B) for shaping containers (2) arranged so as to each receive a preform (4) and to shape said preform (4) into a container (2) between the entry point (18) and the exit point (26).
  7. Treatment installation according to Claim 6, wherein two successive shaping stations (20A, 20B) are designed to form different containers (2A, 2B), in a differentiated treatment configuration of the installation, or identical containers, in a parallel treatment configuration of the installation.
  8. Treatment installation according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the first and second additional treatment machines (8, 10) are filling machines for filling containers, said machines being designed to introduce a product into the portion of the series of containers (2) that are introduced into each of said filling machines.
  9. Treatment installation according to Claim 8, wherein the first and second additional treatment machines (8, 10) are designed to introduce a different product into the containers transported in said first and second additional treatment machines (8, 10),
    and/or wherein the first and the second additional treatment machine are fillers which use different filling techniques selected from among volumetric, decimetric or weight filling.
  10. Treatment installation according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the first additional treatment machine (8) is designed to introduce a first product into the series of containers (2) that are transported in said first machine, and the second additional treatment machine (10) is designed to introduce a second product into said series of containers (2) containing said first product in a complementary filling configuration of the installation.
  11. Treatment installation according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the first transfer device (28) comprises gripping elements (32) for gripping containers (2), said gripping elements being distributed over the periphery of a transfer wheel (30), which is movable in rotation, each gripping element (32) being arranged so as to collect a container (2) at the exit point (26) of the initial treatment machine (6), two successive gripping elements (32) being respectively arranged so as to deliver the transported container, the one gripping element to the first additional treatment machine (8) and the other gripping element to the second additional treatment machine (10).
  12. Use of the installation according to Claims 4 and 8 considered together, wherein the first and second additional treatment machines (8, 10) are fillers which are designed to introduce an identical product.
EP18713695.7A 2017-04-03 2018-03-29 Installation for treating containers Active EP3606866B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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FR1752846A FR3064614B1 (en) 2017-04-03 2017-04-03 CONTAINER PROCESSING FACILITY COMPRISING ONE INITIAL PROCESSING MACHINE AND TWO ADDITIONAL PROCESSING MACHINES
PCT/EP2018/058238 WO2018185015A1 (en) 2017-04-03 2018-03-29 Installation for treating containers and method for changing format

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EP3606866B1 true EP3606866B1 (en) 2022-11-16

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DE102020130535A1 (en) * 2020-11-19 2022-05-19 Krones Ag Filling installation for liquid products and process for filling liquid products into bottles
WO2023094992A1 (en) 2021-11-23 2023-06-01 Alfred E. Mann Institute For Biomedical Engineering At The University Of Southern California Systems, formulations and methods for microbial detection and quantification

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US4530202A (en) * 1982-01-18 1985-07-23 Aci Australia Limited Container filling machine and method
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JP5978165B2 (en) * 2013-04-24 2016-08-24 澁谷工業株式会社 Filling system
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CN109689563B (en) * 2016-09-14 2021-04-13 涩谷工业株式会社 Filling system

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FR3064614A1 (en) 2018-10-05
WO2018185015A1 (en) 2018-10-11
US20230132939A1 (en) 2023-05-04
CN110475742B (en) 2021-12-14
EP3606866A1 (en) 2020-02-12
FR3064614B1 (en) 2022-10-14
CN110475742A (en) 2019-11-19

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