FR3045444A1 - PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING CONTAINERS AND HANDLING ACCESSORY FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing containers by forming preforms (12), each preform (12) being moved via at least one conveying device (32, 36, 40, 52, 56) suitable for individually holding each preform (12), each preform (12) having a neck (16) equipped with a flange (18), characterized in that it comprises a step of equipping each preform (12) with an accessory ( 58) independent of handling before loading on the conveyor device (32, 36, 40, 52, 56), each handling accessory (58) comprising an identical handling part (60), each handling accessory (58) being shaped so that the handling portion (60) is positioned at a standard axial distance (S) from the reference flange (18) regardless of the neck pattern (16) of preforms (12A, 12B). The invention also relates to such a handling accessory (58).

Description

"Method of manufacturing containers and handling accessory for its implementation"

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing containers made of thermoplastic material by forming, in particular blow molding or stretch-blow molding, preforms (or intermediate containers) in a mold of a manufacturing facility, each preform being moved through the installation. to the mold by means of at least one conveying device capable of individually holding each preform, each preform having a neck equipped with a reference flange projecting from the neck which is intended to be supported on a face of the mold during the forming operation, which collar and flange are formed during manufacture, generally by injection molding, of the preform and found on the intermediate container and the final container.

The present invention also relates to a temporary handling accessory intended to equip a hollow body of thermoplastic material encountered during the manufacturing steps of containers, or even during subsequent operations, such as labeling and / or filling. Such a hollow body, within the meaning of the present invention, may be a preform and / or an intermediate container and / or a final container.

The present invention relates more particularly to a handling accessory intended to be temporarily assembled with the neck of a hollow body having a main axis, to accompany the hollow body through several conveying devices capable of individually holding each container during its conveyance in a or several parts of a manufacturing machine, the handling accessory comprising: - a handling part which is adapted to be handled by individual handling means of the conveying devices; - A fixing portion provided with removable fastening means to the upper neck of the hollow body, the fixing portion being defined axially upwardly by an abutment face intended to abut against a rim of the container; an orifice which passes axially through the handling accessory.

BACKGROUND ART OF THE INVENTION

Already known are facilities for manufacturing hollow bodies, such as intermediate or final containers from containers in the form of blanks, commonly called preforms.

In the remainder of the description and in the claims, the word "hollow body" used without further specification will refer indifferently to a final container or a preform (or to an intermediate container, as it is found in certain processes Manufacturing).

The preforms are generally obtained by injection molding before being transported to the manufacturing facility. A preform has a body and a collar. The body is intended to be shaped by molding in the manufacturing facility while the neck already has its final shape. The neck is provided with a collar whose lower face serves as a reference face during the manufacturing process and during subsequent manipulations of the final container, for example for the extraction of the container from the forming machine, or during labeling and / or filling. The manufacturing facility comprises at least one forming station, generally preceded by a heating station according to the flow of the preforms. The preform is transported to each station by means of conveying devices which are able to individually hold each preform during their conveying. In the remainder of the description, the term "conveying device" will apply only to this type of conveying device capable of individually holding each preform during their conveying by means of handling members.

Advantageously, each station also includes a clean conveying device that allows the preforms to be moved continuously in order to increase the production rate. The preforms are thus displaced along a determined path, being transferred from one conveying device to the next.

The heating station makes it possible to heat the body of each preform to a temperature adapted to perform its forming in the forming station.

The forming station (also called molding station) comprises molds each of which is intended to receive a hot preform (or an intermediate container). The preform is received in an orifice of the mold so that its flange rests on an upper face of the mold. The flange thus retains the neck in position relative to the mold during the forming operation, for example by blowing or by stretch blow molding. From the heating operation, the body becomes malleable. Any contact with the body could therefore damage the preform and compromise the quality of the final container obtained. Only the neck of the preform, having its final shape, is protected from heat to maintain its rigidity. Thus, during its movement through the installation, the preform can be manipulated only through his collar. For this purpose, the various conveying devices are provided with individual handling members of each preform, for example mandrels engaged in the necks (this generally in the heating station), clamps which enclose the neck or notches intended for receive the preform in support on its collar.

In addition, container manufacturing facilities of this type are very expensive and very cumbersome. It is therefore common to make end containers of various models on the same installation to avoid the manufacturer to purchase multiple installations. For each model, the neck is likely to have a different shape and size. For this purpose it is known to be able to replace the various individual handling members according to the desired final container model.

However, these replacement operations take a long time.

In addition, during the forming operation, fluid under pressure, for example air, is injected into the preform housed in the mold. To avoid having to replace the tip of the forming nozzle at each model change, it is known to equip the nozzle with a bell which bears tightly on the upper face of the mold and which encompasses the neck of the preform whatever its model.

However, such a solution increases the volume of fluid to be compressed.

Finally, manufacturers are seeking to reduce as much as possible the manufacturing costs of the final containers. The trend is in particular to the decrease of plastic material used to make the final container. In this regard, some models of preforms today have a neck of very small dimensions that do not allow their handling in good conditions by the current handling devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a container of the type described above characterized in that it comprises a step of equipping each preform with an independent handling accessory before loading on the conveying device, the handling accessory equipping the preform until after the forming of the container, each handling accessory comprising an identical handling part that allows its handling by the conveying device, each handling accessory being shaped so that the handling part is positioned at a distance axial determined with respect to the reference flange which is standard for several models of preform necks. The invention also relates to a handling accessory for carrying out the method, characterized in that the handling part is entirely arranged axially above the abutment face.

According to other characteristics of the handling accessory made according to the teachings of the invention: - the handling accessory is made in one piece; - The attachment portion has a shape that is adapted to be fitted axially forcibly within the neck of the container for removable and quick attachment the temporary handling accessory; - A seal carried by the fixing portion is intended to be interposed radially between the fixing portion and a cylindrical face of the neck; the handling part comprises at least one radially projecting gripping ring; the handling part comprises a lower gripping ring and an upper gripping ring separated axially by a groove; the lower ring delimits the handling part downwards; - The upper face of the upper ring is flush with an upper end face of the handling accessory; - A spacer section is interposed between the fixing portion and the handling portion; - The spacer section has an outer diameter substantially smaller than the outer diameter of the collar of the container to be equipped with said handling accessories.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of FIG. above which represents a manufacturing facility for the implementation of the process carried out according to the teachings of the invention; - Figure 2 is an axial sectional view which shows a preform to be converted into a final container by the installation of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is an axial sectional view showing a mold equipped with a nozzle in which is arranged a first preform model equipped with a handling accessory made according to the teachings of the invention; - Figure 4 is a side view which schematically shows a gripping mandrel fitted to the final container manufacturing facility and carrying a preform devoid of the gripping accessory; - Figure 5 is a perspective view which shows schematically a portion of a notch wheel equipping the final container manufacturing facility and carrying a preform that is not equipped with the gripping accessory; - Figure 6 is a perspective view which schematically shows a gripper fitted to the facility for manufacturing final containers; - Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a handling accessory made according to the teachings of the invention; - Figure 8 is an axial sectional view of the handling accessory of Figure 7; - Figure 9 is an axial sectional view which shows a second model of preform equipped with a handling accessory made according to the teachings of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the remainder of the description, elements having identical structure or similar functions will be designated by the same references.

In the remainder of the description, a vertical orientation directed from bottom to top and indicated by the arrow "V" will be adopted without limitation. A radial orientation is directed orthogonally to the vertical direction. The terms upstream and downstream will also be adopted with reference to the direction of movement of the preforms along their path in a manufacturing facility.

FIG. 1 shows the installation 10 for manufacturing containers made of thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The containers are for example bottles.

It is more specifically a facility 10 for manufacturing containers by forming, in particular by blowing or stretch-blow molding, hollow bodies in the form of blanks also called "preforms 12".

In the remainder of the description and in the claims, the reference "12" will be used to generally designate any hollow body that may be transported at one time or another in the installation 10, that is to say to say both a container and a preform. However, the description will be made by applying the reference 12 to preforms when this facilitates understanding, a simple extrapolation being necessary when the hollow body is a finished container.

Several models of hollow bodies 12 will be described. The reference number "12" without further details will generally indicate the preforms or hollow bodies likely to be in the installation, all models taken together, while a particular preform model will be used. designated by the reference "12" followed by a letter.

There is shown a first model of preform 12A in Figure 2. The preform 12A is made by extrusion molding of thermoplastic material. It comprises a body 14 which has a tubular shape of axis "A" vertical which is closed at its lower end. The upper end of the body 14 opens into a neck 16. The neck 16 has a flange 18 projecting radially here is arranged at the lower end of the neck 16 at the junction with the body 14. The neck 16 has a shape cylindrical tubular outer diameter greater than or equal to the maximum outer diameter of the body 14. The neck 16 has an upper vertical end edge commonly called "drinking" 19.

In known manner, the body 14 is intended to be shaped as a final container with the aid of a mold in the blowing installation 10, while the neck 16 already has its final shape.

This is a collar 16 which is intended to be closed by a screw cap which is intended to close the final container after filling and until its sale to ensure the integrity of its content to the consumer.

The neck 16 conventionally has a ring 20 projecting radially which is arranged above the collar 18, a groove 22 being reserved between the flange 18 and the ring 20. A thread for fixing the cap is formed on the outer cylindrical face of neck 1 6.

There is shown in Figure 3 a second type of preform 12B said collarless or "neckless". This preform 12B differs from the first preform model 12A by its neck 16. In this second preform model 12B, the neck 16 has indeed been reduced to its minimum size. Thus, the rim 19 of the neck 16 is flush with the upper face 21 of the flange 18. The collar 16 does not protrude above the flange 18. The final container obtained from such a preform is intended to be closed by a cap which is applied on an upper face 21 of the flange 18 or by a plug which is fitted directly around the flange 18 or inside the rim.

Furthermore, as will be explained later, regardless of the preform model 12A or 12B, the lower face 24 of the flange 18 forms a reference face. More generally, the lower face 24 of the flange 18 forms a reference face for the finished containers, too.

The models of preforms 12 concerned by the invention have an outside collar diameter 16 which is within a given range, for example the diameter of the larger neck 16 model is wider of the order of 1 cm compared to diameter of the narrowest 16-neck model. Thus, several models similar to preforms 1 2A and 12B but having a different neck diameter 16 may be supported by the manufacturing facility. The manufacturing installation 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a forming station 28. The manufacturing installation 10 is here intended to be fed with hollow bodies (preforms) 12 that are too cold to be formed directly by the forming station 28. In this regard, the manufacturing facility 10 here comprises a heating station 26 which is arranged upstream of the forming station 28 in order to heat the body 14 of the preforms 12 to a temperature suitable for forming them.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heating station 26 comprises a heating tunnel 30 which is intended to be traversed by the preforms 12. To do this, the heating station 26 comprises a device 32 for conveying the preforms 12 through the Tunnel 30. The conveying device 32 is formed by a chain, each link carrying a member 34 for individual handling of a preform 12 by its neck 16. Each individual manipulation member 34 is adapted to individually hold a preform during its conveying. A motor (not shown) drives the chain to move the individual handling members 34 along a circuit.

An example of such an individual manipulation member 34 is shown in Figure 4. This is an outer mandrel which is intended to grip the outer cylindrical face of the neck 16 of the preform 1 2A.

The preforms 12 are conveyed to the heating station 26 by means of a separate conveying device 36 in the form of a notched wheel. As its name suggests, this notched wheel comprises a rotating wheel which comprises at its periphery notches 38 which form individual handling members of the preforms 12. An example of such an individual manipulation member 38 is shown in FIG. 5. The individual handling member 38 is thus formed by a notch which partially houses the top of the body 14 of the preform 12, a portion of the collar 18 of the preform 12 resting on the periphery of the notch 38. The notches 38 thus move along a circular closed circuit. Outside the wheel may be a complementary semicircular guide on which rests and slides another portion of the flange 18.

Such a device 36 in the form of a notch wheel thus makes it possible to route the preforms 12 with a determined pitch and synchronously with the members 34 for handling the device 32 for conveying the heating station 26. In known manner, the preforms 12 are conveyed to a point of tangency with the device 32 for conveying the heating station 26 to allow their transfer from the notched wheel to the device 32 for conveying.

The forming station 28 is here in the form of a carousel constituting in itself another conveyor device 40 which carries molding units 42 at its periphery. Each molding unit 42 thus moves in a circular closed path passing through a fixed point of entry of the preforms and by a fixed point of exit of the final containers.

A molding unit 42 is shown in broken lines in FIG. 3. Each molding unit 42 comprises a mold 44 having a cavity 46 forming an impression of the body of the final container. The cavity 46 opens into an upper face 48 of the mold 44 to allow the passage of the neck 16 of the preform 12 outside the cavity 46, the collar 18 resting by its lower face 24 on the upper face 48 of the mold 44.

Each molding unit 42 is further equipped with a blowing nozzle 50 which is intended to be sealingly connected to the neck 16 of the preform 12 for injecting a fluid under pressure capable of deforming and pressing the body 14 of the preform 12 against the walls of the cavity 46. During this forming operation, the neck 16 is held in position by pressing the flange 18 on the upper face 48 of the mold 44.

Optionally, a vertical sliding drawing rod is capable of being introduced vertically into the preform 12 through its neck 16 during the forming operation to push the bottom of the preform 12 and thus axially stretch the body 14 of the preform 12.

The mold 44 is generally made of at least two parts that are likely to deviate from one another to allow extraction of the final container. Similarly, the nozzle 50 is slidably mounted vertically between a low forming position in which it is sealingly connected to the inside of the preform 12 and a high position of withdrawal in which is cleared a space necessary for the insertion of a preform 12 and the extraction of a final container.

Such a forming station 28 makes it possible to continuously move the preforms 12 during their forming. The hot preforms 12 exiting the heating station 26 are conveyed to the associated molding units by another conveying device consisting of a transfer wheel 52.

The transfer wheel 52 comprises, for example, a rotating wheel having manipulation members 54 at its periphery. As shown in Figure 6, it is for example clamps 54 which are intended to clamp the neck 16, for example at the groove 22 located under the ring 20. The clamps 54 and move in a circular closed path .

Of course, the various examples of manipulation members are not limiting. Any other known body handling containers through their neck 16 is within the scope of the present invention

Finally, the manufacturing facility 10 comprises a last conveyor device 56 constituted by an output wheel which is provided with handling members of the formed containers, such as clamps 54, as previously described.

Such an installation makes it possible to continuously circulate the preforms 12 from their entry into the heating station 26 up to their exit from the forming station 28 via the various conveying devices 36, 32, 52, 40, 56 . The preforms 12 are transferred from one conveying device to the next at points of tangency between two successive conveying devices.

Such an installation 10 generally makes it possible to support batch productions of preforms 12 of different models. However, because of the variations in size or shape of the necks 16 between the preforms 12, it is necessary to make adjustments of the handling members, or even their replacement.

In addition, the preforms 12B which are similar to the second model illustrated in FIG. 3 have a neck 16 which is not adapted to be handled by a member 34 such as a mandrel as described above or by a clamp 54 as described. previously. The management of this type of preform 12B therefore requires a change of handling devices for certain conveying devices.

The present invention proposes to solve these problems by using a temporary handling accessory 58 which is temporarily assembled on the preforms 12 for the duration of their passage in the manufacturing facility, at least until they leave the station. 28 forming or even in complementary operations, such as filling and / or capping.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show such a handling accessory 58. It has a generally axisymmetrical shape of axis "A" vertical which is intended to be coaxial with the axis of the preform 12 when it is assembled with the neck 16 of the preform 12. The handling accessory 58 is independent of handling organs of the different conveying devices. It is here made in one piece, for example by molding a plastic material, although a seal 80 may be attached to the handling accessory 58 as will be explained later. The handling accessory 58 includes a first handling portion 60. This handling portion 60 is formed by an upper end portion of the handling accessory 58. This portion 60 of manipulation is identical in shape and dimensions for all models of preforms 12 concerned. It is shaped to allow the handling of each preform 12, regardless of its model, in a standard manner by the various handling members of the installation 10.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, this handling portion 60 has a cylindrical shape of revolution of axis "A" and height "H". The handling portion 60 is equipped with at least one gripping ring. The handling portion 60 here comprises a top gripping ring 64A and a lower gripping ring 64B which project radially. The rings 64A, 64B have the same outside diameter "D" which is the same for all the preforms 12 models. The two rings 64A, 64B are separated vertically by an annular groove 62 arranged substantially in the middle of the handling part 60 in the sense of height. These two rings 64A, 64B and the groove 62 make it possible to grip the handling accessory 58 by a manipulation member 34, 54 or 38 under the upper ring 64A, that is to say by inserting the manipulation member in the groove 62, or under the lower ring 64B.

In addition, the upper face of the upper ring 64A is flush with a radial end face 66 of the upper end of the handling accessory 58. This makes it possible to enlarge the outer diameter of the upper end face 66 of the handling accessory 58 to facilitate the forming operation as will be explained hereinafter.

Similarly, the underside of the lower ring 64B is flush with a lower end radial face 68 of the handling portion 60. The handling accessory 58 also includes a second attachment portion 70. This fixing portion 70 is formed by a lower end section of the handling accessory 58. This fixing portion 70 is adapted according to the preform 12 models. Thus, it will be necessary to provide as many batches of handling accessories 58 that preform models 12 may be supported by the manufacturing facility 10. A batch of handling accessories 58 comprises at least as many units as the installation 10 is capable of containing hollow bodies simultaneously, preferably each batch comprises more units than the installation 10 is capable of containing hollow bodies simultaneously.

The attachment portion 70 is delimited upwards by a shoulder forming a radial abutment face 72 which faces downwards. This abutment face 72 is intended to come into contact with the rim 19 of the neck 16 to allow precise vertical positioning of the handling portion 60 with respect to the flange 18.

In addition, the attachment portion 70 is bounded downward by a bottom end face 73.

To simplify the manufacture of the handling accessory 58 and to apply the standardization of handling to a maximum of hollow body models, the handling portion 60 is arranged entirely vertically above the abutment face 72.

To allow the standardization of the handling of the hollow body 12, the handling accessory 58 comprises a spacer section 74 which is interposed vertically between the fixing portion 70 and the handling portion 60. This spacer section 74 has a height "E1, E2" which is adapted to each model of hollow body 12 as a function of the vertical distance between the flange 18 and the rim 19 of the neck 16. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the height "E1, E2" of the spacer section 74 is determined so that the distance "S" between the lower face 24 of the flange 18 and the lower face 68 of the handling portion 60 is equal. at an identical standard value for all hollow body models.

The spacer section 74 here has an outer diameter greater than the diameter "F1, F2" outside the attachment portion 70. Thus, the abutment face 72 also forms a lower end face of the spacer section 74. In addition, the spacer section 74 is delimited vertically upwards by the lower face 68 of the handling portion 60.

The attachment portion 70 is intended to achieve the rapid removable attachment of the handling accessory 58 on the associated hollow body 1 2.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the fastening portion 70 has a shape that is adapted to be fitted axially to the inside of the neck 16 of the associated hollow body 12. For this purpose, the fixing portion 70 has an outer diameter "F1, F2" which is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the neck 16 of the associated hollow body 12. The attachment portion may have a slightly tapered shape toward its lower end face 73 to facilitate insertion into the neck 16.

This configuration is particularly advantageous because the nesting is by vertical sliding of the handling accessory 58 relative to the hollow body 1 2. It is therefore very easy to automate this operation.

In addition, regardless of their model, the preforms 12 have a smooth inner cylindrical face. It is therefore easy to adapt such a fastening portion 70 to all models of preforms.

To allow the extraction of the handling accessory 58 before the introduction of the plug, the spacer section 74 is shaped so as to leave at least a portion of the upper face 21 of the flange 18 free. This free portion thus makes it possible to bear to extract the handling accessory 58 from the hollow body 12 after it has been transformed into a container. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the spacer section 74 has an outside diameter which is smaller than the outside diameter of the flange 18 to leave at least one peripheral portion of the flange 18 free.

As a result, the handling accessory 58 here has a stepped shape in which the outside diameter of the attachment portion 70 is smaller than the outside diameter of the spacer section 74, while the outside diameter of the spacer section 74 is less than the outside diameter of the handling portion 60.

Alternatively, the interlocking fixing portion is replaced by a fastening portion by screwing or by external fitting on the neck.

In summary, the handling part 60 has a shape and dimensions that are identical for all the preform models 12. The diameter "F1, F2" of the fixing part is adapted according to the particular model of preform 12 to which applies the handling accessory 58. The height "H" and the diameter of the spacer section 74 are adapted according to the particular model of preform 12 to which the handling accessory 58 applies. The handling accessory 58 is designed to equip the associated preform 12 during the forming operation. For this purpose, the handling accessory 58 is traversed vertically through an axial orifice 76. The axial orifice 76 thus opens in the center of the upper end face 66 of the handling accessory 58. The axial orifice 76 here has a cylindrical shape of constant inner diameter over the entire height of the handling accessory 58. The handling accessory 58 is advantageously designed to cooperate with a nozzle 50 adapted during the forming operation. The nozzle 50 has a lower mouth which is arranged in correspondence with the periphery of the axial orifice 76. Thus, the mouth of the nozzle 50 is provided with a seal 78 which is intended to bear against the upper end face 66 of the handling accessory 58 by surrounding the axial orifice 76. This allows the tight connection of the nozzle 50 with the interior of the preform 12.

Such an embodiment of the nozzle 50 makes it possible to reduce the dead volume with respect to a bell nozzle made according to the state of the art, while allowing the forming of different models of preform with a mouthpiece of adapted standard diameter. to the handling part 60 handling accessories 58.

The inside diameter of the axial orifice 76 is sufficient to allow the introduction of an axial drawing rod in the case where the forming operation is carried out by stretch-blow molding.

To ensure that the press forming fluid does not leak out of the preform during the forming operation of the container, the attachment portion 70 of the handling accessory 58 is provided with an annular seal 80 which is intended to be pressed against the inner cylindrical face. For this purpose, the seal 80 is carried by the attachment portion 70 which is intended to be fitted into the neck 16.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the seal 80 is arranged at a lower end of the attachment portion 70. This lower end advantageously has a sufficiently small thickness to allow radial deformation against the inner cylindrical face of the neck 16 under the effect of the pressure of the forming fluid in the manner of a lip seal. In this embodiment, the seal 80 is made integrally with the accessory 58 handling.

In variant not shown of the invention, the seal is an insert which is arranged around the attachment portion of the handling accessory, for example in a groove. This is for example a lip seal.

As a variant not shown of the invention, the axial orifice 76 of the handling accessory 58 is used in cooperation with an inner mandrel which forms, for example, the handling member of the heating station.

During the manufacture of final containers in the manufacturing facility, the preforms 12 are equipped with handling accessories 58 before they pass through the forming station 28. The preforms 12 are here equipped with temporary accessories 58 for handling in-line before they pass through the heating station 26. For this purpose, the manufacturing facility 10 comprises a station 82 for assembling the handling accessories 58 on preforms 12 which are for example supported by the notches of the wheel constituting the device 36 for inputting the preforms 12.

The preforms 12 thus equipped with the handling accessory 58 have, whatever their model, an identical handling part 60 which is arranged at the standard distance "S" above the collar 18. The assembly formed by the preform 12 equipped with its handling accessory 58 forms an independent assembly which is intended to be transferred from a handling member of a conveying device to the manipulation member of the following device.

The handling members of the various conveying devices 32, 52, 40, 56 are designed to cooperate with the standard handling part 60. It is thus possible to produce final containers from preforms 12 having collars 16 of different models without having to adjust or replace the manipulation members.

When a preform 12 equipped with its handling accessory 58 arrives at the forming station 28, its flange 18 is positioned correctly in abutment on the upper face 48 of the mold 44 by the body 54 for manipulating the wheel 52 of FIG. transfer, and this whatever the model, because of the distance "S" standard which separates vertically the collar 18 of the part 60 of manipulation.

Similarly, the same nozzle mouth 50 can be used for all preform models 12 since the mouth cooperates with the same standard dimension manipulation part 60 for all preform models 12. In addition, the upper face 66 of the handling part 60 is always positioned at the same vertical distance above the lower face 24 of the flange 18, and therefore the upper face 48 of the mold 44, regardless of the preform model 12.

After exiting the forming station 28, and before the final capping operation of the final container, the handling accessory 58 is extracted from the final container. To do this, a first support member rests on the upper free face 21 of the flange 18 while a second extraction member vertically lifts the handling accessory 58 relative to the first element. The extraction element is for example a gripper that grips the handling portion 60, or a fork that bears under one or other of the rings 64A, 64B upper or lower.

The handling accessories 58 thus extracted are advantageously redirected to the equipment station of the preforms 12 by known conveying means to allow their reuse for further production of the batch of containers of a given model. This limits the number of handling accessories 58 needed to produce a batch of containers of said model. The handling accessory 58 made according to the teachings of the invention thus makes it possible to use the same handling members with identical settings for different models of preforms.

In addition, the manipulation of the hollow body 12 by means of the handling accessory 58 makes it possible to avoid direct contact of the handling members with the neck 16 of the hollow bodies 12, thus guaranteeing the integrity of the neck 16 at all. along its displacement in the manufacturing facility.

Of course it is possible to use the handling accessories only to manipulate preforms or hollow bodies 12 which are unfit to be handled by commonly used handling members, for example preforms 12B neckless model. The preforms 12A equipped with conventional collars 16 which can be handled directly by their neck 16 according to the known means of the state of the art subject to adapting the handling members to different models of collars 16.

Claims (11)

A method of manufacturing containers of thermoplastic material by forming preforms (12) in a mold (44) of a manufacturing facility (10), each preform (12) being moved through the installation (10) to at the mold (44) via at least one conveying device (32, 36, 40, 52, 56) capable of individually holding each preform (12), each preform (12) comprising a neck (16) equipped a flange (18) of reference projecting from the neck (16) which is intended to bear on one face (48) of the mold (44) during the forming operation, characterized in that it comprises a step consisting in equipping each preform (12) with an independent handling accessory (58) before it is loaded onto the conveying device (32, 36, 40, 52, 56), said handling accessory (58) equipping the preform until after forming, each handling accessory (58) having a handling portion (60) identical ion which allows its support by the device (32, 36, 40, 52, 56) of conveying, each accessory (58) handling being shaped so that the portion (60) of manipulation is positioned at a distance ( S) axial determined with respect to the collar (18) of reference which is standard for several models of necks (16) of preforms (12A, 12B). 2. Accessory (58) handling intended to be temporarily assembled with the neck (16) of a hollow body (12) having a main axis (A), such as a container preform of thermoplastic material or a container obtained by transformation of a preform, to accompany said hollow body (12) through several conveying devices (32, 36, 40, 52, 56) capable of holding it individually during its conveying, the handling accessory (58) comprising: - a handling portion (60) which is adapted to be manipulated by means (34, 54) for individual handling of the conveying devices (32, 36, 40, 52, 56); - a fastening portion (70) provided with removable fastening means at the upper neck (16) of the hollow body (12), the fastening portion (70) being delimited axially upwards by an abutment face (72) intended to abut against a rim (19) of the hollow body (12); - An orifice (76) which passes axially through the handling accessory (58); characterized in that the handling portion (60) is entirely arranged axially above the abutment face (72). 3. Accessory (58) handling according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is made in one piece. 4. Handling accessory according to any one of claims 2 or 3 above, characterized in that the portion (70) of attachment has a shape which is adapted to be fitted axially forcibly inside the neck (16) of the hollow body (12) for the removable and quick attachment of the handling accessory (58). 5. Accessory (58) handling according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a sealing gasket (80) carried by the portion (70) of attachment is intended to be interposed radially between the portion (70) of attachment and a cylindrical face of the neck (16). 6. Accessory (58) handling according to any one of claims 2 to 5 above, characterized in that the portion (60) of manipulation comprises at least one ring (64A, 64B) gripping radially projecting. 7. Accessory (58) handling according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the portion (60) of manipulation comprises a lower ring (64B) gripping and an upper ring (64A) gripping separated axially by a groove (62) . 8. Accessory (58) handling according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the lower ring (64B) defines the portion (60) of manipulation downwards. 9. A handling accessory according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the upper face of the ring (64A) is flush with an upper end face (66) of the handling accessory (58). . 10. Accessory (58) handling according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that a section (74) of spacer is interposed between the portion (60) of handling and the portion (70) of attachment . 11. Accessory (58) handling according to the preceding claim, for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer section (74) has an outside diameter substantially smaller than the outside diameter of the collar ( 18) of the hollow body (12) to be equipped with said accessory (58).