JP5332040B2 - Mold for blow fill seal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose a mold that is suitable for a blow-fill-seal system which prevents a drop in productivity while reducing economical burden that a plurality of corresponding molds should be prepared in order to manufacture a wide variety of containers. <P>SOLUTION: A blow-fill-seal system is configured such that a resin-made container is blow-molded and a liquid medicine or the like is filled therein from a container opening, then, the opening is sealed so as to manufacture a product. The mold is used in the blow-fill-seal system. The mold is a blow-fill-seal mold having a plurality of replaceable inserts, respectively forming part of the container profile, inside the mold. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a molding die used in a blow-fill sealing system in which a resin container is molded in an apparatus and a liquid agent or the like is immediately filled and sealed in a series of operations, and particularly a container filled with a liquid agent. The present invention relates to a mold for blow fill sealing that can easily adjust the shape and volume of a body portion.

  As is well known, the blow-fill seal system has the following features: (1) A cylindrical preform called a parison made of thermoplastic resin is sandwiched between a pair of molds except for the container neck, and the mandrel unit descends in the parison. After inflating with air etc. to form the container body, (2) filling the container with a predetermined amount of liquid etc. from the same unit or another mandrel unit, and (3) returning the mandrel unit to its original position Then, the mold at the neck is closed and sealed, and when the mold is opened, a container in which the liquid or the like is sealed in a sterile state is obtained. Since a product with a high aseptic level can be obtained at a very low production cost, it is suitable for the production of contact lens solutions, unit doses, and multi-dose eye drops. The manufactured container can be opened at break by screwing the attached cap or screwing the neck of the container at the time of use, and a desired amount of the content liquid can be poured out. Various proposals have been made for the production of such a container, and specifically, there are the following documents.

  For example, in manufacturing a sealed container that is easy to open, when the container body is blow-molded, a method in which the boundary portion between the container lid and the container body forms a thin wall (Patent Document 1), and the container body is molded. A molding device (Patent Document 2) for accurately molding the filled neck of the container into a required shape and then sealing it, a molding method for a bottle pack with an opening handle (Patent Document 3) for molding an opening handle at the time of blow molding, A molding method for a bottle pack that uniformly controls the shape of the opening edge of the neck portion after opening by molding the resin of the parison that forms the neck portion by pressing the resin from the neck portion toward the tip when molding. (Patent Document 4). In these documents, it is possible to form a container in consideration of the ease of opening and the state after opening, and it is not a technique that can arbitrarily adjust the shape and volume of the container body filled with the liquid agent. .

  Although it is not a blow-fill seal system, a horizontal slit is formed in the inner periphery of the mold of the container body, and a sculpture indicating the amount of mesh of the container molded along this slit is inserted and expanded. There is a method for producing a saturated polyester container (Patent Document 5) characterized in that air outside the preform (synonymous with the above parison) is discharged from a slit. This proposal shows a nesting fitted in the mold, which forms an indentation mark and a slit for exhausting air outside the preform, It is not intended to adjust the shape and volume of the container body by exchanging them with each other.

  As described above, in the blow fill seal system, there are many proposals mainly pursuing ease of breakage and break uniformity when used, but what kind of solution is available when the size of the container body is different. What was done was not known. That is, when trying to mold containers of different sizes, basically molds having cavities of the respective sizes are necessary, and many sets of molds were prepared for each size. It is. In such a case, there is a problem that not only the cost for preparing a mold having a desired size but also the mold must be replaced at the time of manufacture, so that the in-process time is long. In particular, in a metal mold in which containers are connected, precision is required for alignment between individual mandrels and the metal mold, which is very difficult.

JP 47-17865 A JP 60-83822 A JP-A 61-273828 JP-A-10-151664 JP-A-62-196119

  Therefore, the present invention reduces the economic burden of having to prepare a plurality of molds corresponding to manufacturing various types of containers, and is suitable for a blow fill seal system that does not reduce productivity. The purpose is to propose.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the intended purpose, in the present invention, a plurality of nestings forming part of the outer shape of the container are fitted in the mold in a replaceable manner. The present inventors have found that various types of containers can be accommodated by the combination of the nesting.

  That is, the present invention is a molding die used in a blow fill seal system for producing a product by blow molding a resin container and filling a liquid agent or the like from the container opening and then sealing the opening. A plurality of inserts forming a part of the outer shape of the container in the mold are exchangeable. Nesting makes it easy to handle products with different capacities and shapes, since it only needs to be replaced. In particular, in molds with connected containers, precision was required for alignment between individual mandrels and molds, which was very difficult, but in nesting, the base plate was fixed to the molding machine and placed in place. It is easy only by fixing the nest. Another advantage is that different types of products can be formed simultaneously by combining a plurality of inserts.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said nesting is divided | segmented into the width direction of the resin-made container obtained, and height can be adjusted by stacking and combining 2 or more types of nesting. The nesting at this time is more preferably divided horizontally because the degree of freedom of combination becomes higher.

  In addition, in the present invention, it is preferable that the width of the resin container can be adjusted by dividing the insert in the height direction of the container and combining two or more kinds of inserts in parallel. The nesting at this time is more preferably divided vertically since it is not necessary to consider the arrangement order.

  According to the mold for blow fill seal of the present invention, the insert can be replaced with a very high degree of freedom. For example, even if some inserts are worn out, other inserts can be easily substituted. However, it is possible to recover quickly by replacing it. Moreover, it becomes easy to respond without changing a container shape suitably according to a sales strategy or a market need, or preparing many kinds of expensive molds in response to requests for various types of containers. Therefore, it is possible to establish a blow fill seal system that is excellent in productivity and economy.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a blow fill seal molding die according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the body part mold of the embodiment is opened. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the number of divisions of nesting differs between the left and right molds. FIG. 4 is a view showing an example in which convex portions for forming a pattern are provided in some nestings. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which the height of the nesting is changed. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which nestings are connected in a horizontal division. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the nesting is divided obliquely. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the nest is vertically divided. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the container capacity is changed by changing the arrangement of the nesting. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the container body is blow-molded. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the liquid agent is filled (filled) into the container body. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a container neck is melted (sealed) and a sealed container is formed. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the mold is opened and the product is taken out.

Hereinafter, the blow fill seal molding die of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the example of the present invention, polypropylene (hereinafter abbreviated as PP) is used as the material of the container, but as other resin, for example, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate and the like can be used.

  FIG. 1 shows an arrangement state (mold cross section) of an embodiment of the present invention. In a blow molding process, a parison 2 is molded by nesting in a body mold 1 that determines the shape of a container. Detached under the parison head. FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the body mold 1 of FIG. 1 is opened. Necessary shapes and number of inserts are fixed to the front surface of the base plate 5 with screws from the rear surface. A block 6 having a predetermined shape is fixed immediately below the lowermost nest, and the excess parison that has flowed to the lower part of the container molding portion is easily removed. In this example, the body die 1 is symmetrical and has the same configuration. In other words, the nesting 4a on the right side of the drawing and the nesting 4b on the left side of the drawing are in a plane-symmetrical relationship with each part having a virtual plane including the mating surfaces 7 in the clamping state of the body mold 1 as a symmetry plane. In the present invention, it is not always necessary to have a plane symmetry relationship. For example, the right nesting may have a semi-cylindrical shape, and the left nesting may have a quadrangular side wall shape. The right nesting is divided into two parts and the left nesting is divided into four parts horizontally. It may be configured (FIG. 3). Further, when the container body is formed on the surface of the nesting on the right side (or either one or both of the left side), the concave portion 8 (or the convex portion) can lift (or dent) a figure / pattern or the like. ) May be provided (FIG. 4).

  Although the left and right nestings can be configured with various other differences, the shape of the mating surfaces of the left and right nestings when the body mold 1 is clamped is preferably the same. If there is a deviation in the shape of the mating surface between both nesting parts, this part will cause a step on the outer surface of the container, and if it is severe, the grip will be poor and the resin will become uneven, It is because the intensity | strength of is reduced.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the plane symmetric relationship with the virtual plane including the mating surface 7 as the plane of symmetry reduces the cost for manufacturing each nest, and each complements each other. Therefore, there is an effect of reducing the number of inventory.

  FIG. 5 shows an example in which a container having a low height can be formed by changing the arrangement of the horizontally divided nests. As shown in this figure, the same body mold 1 is used, and the nesting used can be combined with the one shown in FIG. 1 except for a part thereof. The cost can be reduced, and the trouble of storing and managing the mold when not in use can be saved. This figure shows an example of individual containers, but this can also be applied to a plurality of separably connected containers as shown in FIG. Such a connected container is suitable when the amount of liquid in each container is small. This is because the use period after purchase can be adjusted by packaging a plurality. And how many containers can be connected is determined in consideration of various conditions such as the size of the body mold and the number of parisons that can be arranged.

  In FIG. 7, it shows about the example in case it is not horizontal with respect to the width direction of the container shape | molded. The nesting can be used not only as a horizontal division but also as a pattern by a burr generated on the mating surface 9 between the nestings by such a division method. Therefore, a modified example such as a wavy mating surface is also possible.

  FIG. 8 shows an example in which the nest is vertically divided in the height direction of the container to be molded. Although the container to be molded is constant in the height direction but can be variously changed in the width direction, it is convenient for changing the capacity of the container (for example, “savvy size” as shown in FIG. 9).

  As for the head mold, as with the body mold, by nesting, it is possible to cope with various types of shapes at a low cost. It is possible to easily respond to a special structure such as a mark of the partner brand, a characteristic shape, a lot, a liquid after opening, or a lid can be reclosed.

  Further, if both the body and head molds are nested, the types of containers that can be produced increase synergistically.

  Next, a process until a product is manufactured by a blow fill seal system using the mold of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the body mold is clamped to seal the bottom 21 of the container, the mandrel unit 10 is lowered, and the body 22 of the container is blow-molded by compressed air, nitrogen, or the like. ing. In the figure, the container neck is formed between the tip of the mandrel unit, but the tip may be inserted further downward. It is also possible to use a container connection type as shown in FIG. 6 for the nesting at this time. In this case, the parison and the mandrel unit to be used have the same number as the connection number or the equivalent unit number. Is done. The equivalent number of units means that, for example, when 24 containers are connected and a parison covers 6 containers with 1 unit, 4 units are required.

  Then, after the container body is formed, the mandrel unit or another mandrel unit is lowered to fill the container body with a liquid agent 30 such as a contact lens solution or eye drops (shown in FIG. 11).

  After the filling of the liquid agent is completed, the mandrel unit returns to the original position, the neck mold 1 'is closed, and the container head is molded (shown in FIG. 12).

  Finally, the mold is opened, and the container 3 filled with the liquid agent is separated in a sealed state (shown in FIG. 13). By repeating this series of cycles, the product is continuously produced in a sealed container filled with the contents liquid aseptically.

  As a method of fixing the nesting, generally, as described above, the base plate (in the present invention, the base plate, the nesting, and the block are combined and defined as a general term “mold”) by screws. Other fixing methods include, for example, a so-called cassette type in which a recess that allows the insert to be inserted into the base plate is formed, a method in which a taper surface is formed in the recess and the insert is tightened and fixed by a clamping force, There are a method of clamping between a frame provided on the base plate while pressing from the side, a method of fixing the base plate and the insert by a magnetic force, and the like.

As a main material used for the nesting of the present invention, a material having a good thermal conductivity and being less prone to rust is preferable, and stainless steel or copper alloy is used. In terms of mold maintenance, stainless steel, which is hard to be rusted, is suitable. When the molding cycle time is shortened to increase the efficiency, a copper alloy having good thermal conductivity (which can be heated and cooled in a short time) is used. Moreover, what attached the copper alloy to a part of stainless steel mold | type can also be used as needed.

 The blow-fill seal molding die of the present invention can be molded into various types of containers having different shapes and capacities without preparing many dies, so that it can be easily opened for medical supplies, beverage supplies, or cleaning agents. It is suitable for manufacturing. In addition, it is possible to construct a blow fill seal system excellent in sterility, productivity and economy.

1 Mold 2 Parison 3 Container 4a, 4b Nesting 5 Base plate 6 Block 7 Matching surface 10 Mandrel unit

Claims (2)

A molding die used in a blow fill seal system for blow molding a resin container and filling a liquid agent or the like from a container opening, and then sealing the opening to produce a product,
Replaceably have a plurality of nested forming part of the container outer shape in a mold, and the nest is divided in the width direction of the container, by combining two or more nested, the resin vessel height A mold for blow-fill sealing, wherein the thickness can be adjusted . A molding die used in a blow fill seal system for blow molding a resin container and filling a liquid agent or the like from a container opening, and then sealing the opening to produce a product,
A plurality of nestings forming a part of the outer shape of the container can be exchanged in the mold, and the nesting is divided in the height direction of the container, and by combining two or more types of nesting, A blow mold seal molding die characterized in that the width can be adjusted.

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