US20100225030A1 - Method and device for manufacturing and filling thin-walled beverage containers - Google Patents

Method and device for manufacturing and filling thin-walled beverage containers Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20100225030A1
US20100225030A1 US12/660,767 US66076710A US2010225030A1 US 20100225030 A1 US20100225030 A1 US 20100225030A1 US 66076710 A US66076710 A US 66076710A US 2010225030 A1 US2010225030 A1 US 2010225030A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
container
containers
blow molding
filling
recited
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/660,767
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jochen Hirdina
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.)
Krones AG
Original Assignee
Krones AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Krones AG filed Critical Krones AG
Assigned to KRONES AG reassignment KRONES AG ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HIRDINA, JOCHEN
Publication of US20100225030A1 publication Critical patent/US20100225030A1/en
Priority to US15/149,617 priority Critical patent/US9896318B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • 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
    • B67C3/06—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure
    • B67C3/14—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure specially adapted for filling with hot liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/08—Biaxial stretching during blow-moulding
    • B29C49/10—Biaxial stretching during blow-moulding using mechanical means for prestretching
    • B29C49/12—Stretching rods
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C49/4273—Auxiliary operations after the blow-moulding operation not otherwise provided for
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C49/48—Moulds
    • B29C49/4823—Moulds with incorporated heating or cooling means
    • 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
    • B67C3/04—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus without applying pressure
    • B67C3/045—Apparatus specially adapted for filling bottles with hot liquids
    • 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
    • B67C3/225—Means for filling simultaneously, e.g. in a rotary filling apparatus or multiple rows of containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C49/46—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations characterised by using particular environment or blow fluids other than air
    • B29C2049/4602—Blowing fluids
    • B29C2049/4605—Blowing fluids containing an inert gas, e.g. helium
    • B29C2049/4608—Nitrogen
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C49/78—Measuring, controlling or regulating
    • B29C49/786—Temperature
    • B29C2049/7864—Temperature of the mould
    • B29C2049/78645—Temperature of the mould characterised by temperature values or ranges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C49/4273—Auxiliary operations after the blow-moulding operation not otherwise provided for
    • B29C49/42808—Filling the article
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C49/46—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations characterised by using particular environment or blow fluids other than air
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2667/00—Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
    • B29K2667/003—PET, i.e. poylethylene terephthalate
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7158—Bottles
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and a device for manufacturing and filling beverage containers having thin walls and/or at least partially unstable shapes under the influence of heat.
  • the air present in the head space of the beverage container may be displaced, e.g., by introducing liquid nitrogen, as is known from EP 0 481 019 B1, for example. Adding liquid nitrogen largely displaces the total atmospheric oxygen present in the container, thereby achieving better shelf life of the beverage.
  • the thermal stability of the material and the vacuum stability of the container also constitute a challenge, which is met through various measures. Because of the low glass transition point of approximately 75° C., the thermal stability of PET is not sufficient for filling temperatures of sensitive products, which are usually bottled in temperature ranges between 85° C. and 92° C. Therefore, the material must usually be thermally crystallized in processing in the stretch blow molding machine. This is implemented by a high temperature of the processed preforms (so-called preform temperature) and heated blow molds (120° C. to 160° C.). However, this results in much higher energy consumption because in these methods, additional cooling of the container by compressed air is necessary before unmolding. Another disadvantage is the limited output performance due to the required crystallization time in the mold.
  • Compensation for the volume shrinkage of the filling product due to cooling may be implemented by a relatively complex bottle design, such as that known from WO 2006/062829 A2, for example.
  • These bottles, which are suitable for hot bottling containers are much heavier in comparison with conventional designs for cold bottling containers, are more complex to manufacture, and thus are also much more expensive.
  • bottles having vacuum equalizing surfaces are more difficult to label and in some cases have a definitely reduced stackability.
  • JP 06 263 190 A describes a method for hot filling of thin-walled containers, in which the container stability after the cooling phase is to be ensured by introducing liquid nitrogen, because its expansion counteracts the shrinkage process due to the cooling of the container contents.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a process sequence for container manufacturing and filling, which will ensure an improved energy-efficient method of providing filled beverage containers in the most reliable possible manner starting from a preform, to its blow molding to form a beverage container and then to hot filling.
  • One primary focus of attention is to ensure the least possible deviation in shape from the blow-molded container contour as a result of the subsequent filling and cooling of the container and of the filling product in the container.
  • the present invention provides a method for manufacturing and filling beverage containers having thin walls and/or at least partially unstable shapes under the influence of heat, in particular PET bottles or similar containers having a low thermal stability, the containers being manufactured by blow molding of preforms, then filled with a hot liquid filling product ( 16 ), next pressurized by a compressed gas ( 18 ) and then sealed, by exposing the preforms and the containers molded therefrom to a blow molding temperature essentially below 110° C. during blow molding. It is advantageous in particular when the blow molding temperature is essentially below 100° C. In numerous experiments, temperatures in a range of 80° C. to 90° C. in blow molding have proven to be practical in particular.
  • the containers and in particular the container bottoms are cooled before transporting the containers to the filling machine.
  • the containers are cooled to approximately a typical ambient temperature (approximately room temperature or below).
  • the containers are exposed to nitrogen after filling.
  • care is taken to ensure that the blow molding temperature is below 110° C., preferably between 60° C. and 95° C. and most preferably between 80° C. and 90 ° C.
  • liquid temperature-regulating medium flows through the blow mold via a duct system.
  • a temperature-regulating medium essentially water may be used if the blow molding temperature is not above 100° C.
  • the blow mold is usually connected by hose lines to a central distributor at the center of the blow molding machine.
  • a network of bores through which the temperature-regulating medium flows passes through the blow mold.
  • Each of the two blow molds (per blow molding station) has two connections for the forward flow and return flow of the medium.
  • this medium transfers heat to the blow mold in this large-area bore labyrinth in a temperature range below 110° C.
  • the bottom of the blow mold normally has separate connections for a second circuit at a different temperature.
  • the bottom temperature is preferably less than 30° C., preferably less than 10° C., if possible.
  • a special advantage of the method according to the present invention is that the method may be performed at temperatures below 100° C. using water as the temperature-regulating medium for the blow molding rather than oil at 130° C. to 140° C., as is customary in the known related art. In other words, it is advantageously possible to work with water instead of oil as the temperature-regulating medium.
  • a traditional so-called hot-fill method works with blow molding temperatures of approximately 130° C. and filling product temperatures of approximately 90° C.
  • the drawn PET is then pressed against the hot mold wall during the blow molding operation to remove stresses from the material, so that after the subsequent contact with the hot filling product at a later time, the PET bottle is unable to shrink back into the undrawn preform. Because of the material structure thereby formed, it is also possible to speak of low-stress PET.
  • the present invention allows only a maximum blow molding temperature of 110° C., preferably of approximately 80° C. to 90° C. (at a filling product temperature of also approximately 90° C.), so that inherent stresses remain in the drawn PET to allow better compensation for the subsequent pressurization with nitrogen.
  • the purpose of this is primarily to establish largely the same conditions (moisture uptake, cooling) for all bottles and/or containers.
  • no buffer is used between the blow molding machine and the filling machine, but instead each bottle is transferred to the filling machine in the same time period.
  • the bottles are preferably kept with the same spacing in this temporarily stored conveyance system. The constant conveyance time between the blow molding machine and the filling machine could not be guaranteed when using a buffer.
  • the method according to the present invention has the particular advantage that the bottle quality is kept at a very constant level because the same extent of shrinkage and thus always constant filling levels are largely ensured. Furthermore, combining the steps of container molding and container filling structurally, in time and in terms of process engineering, as is preferred but is not absolutely necessary, has the advantage that all parameters important for a satisfactory procedure are much more easily kept constant and/or may be influenced more easily in the desired manner than is the case with the traditional method.
  • the method according to the present invention is used for filling beverage containers having thin walls and/or at least partially unstable shapes under the influence of heat, e.g., of PET bottles or similar containers having a low thermal stability with a hot liquid filling product, which is bottled in the containers, after which these containers are pressurized by a compressed gas and then sealed.
  • the containers are sent to the filling operation after a blow molding operation, so that the containers, which are still hot after the blow molding operation, may be sent to the filling operation without any major delay, using a conveyance system in which the bottles are cooled, if necessary.
  • the containers are therefore blown, conveyed, and filled with the hot liquid within short distances, in particular through design and/or structural integration of a blow molding station with a downstream filling station.
  • the containers are treated and drawn with the aid of a liquid-cooled drawing rod during the blow molding operation.
  • the containers may optionally be treated and drawn with the aid of a drawing rod, which is gas cooled and/or through which gas flows during the blow molding operation.
  • a liquid or gas outlet it is preferable here for a liquid or gas outlet to be provided essentially on an end face of the drawing rod facing the bottom of the container to be molded. Essentially the bottom of the container is cooled in this way; the side walls should also be largely cooled but a cold bottom is more important.
  • the method may provide for gaseous or liquid nitrogen to be used as the compressed gas for acting upon the filled containers.
  • the nitrogen ensures that no partial vacuum exists in the containers after cooling, so the relatively thin-walled and/or bendable containers are not deformed by the vacuum in an undesirable manner.
  • the filling product is typically filled into the container at a temperature above 60° C., in particular at a temperature above 75° C.
  • the method according to the present invention is suitable in particular for filling temperatures of the liquid filling product between approximately 80° C. and 95° C., in particular between approximately 85° C. and 92° C.
  • the filling pressure of the compressed gas introduced after filling the container with liquid filling product may be approximately 2 bar or more, so that the internal pressure of the cooled containers is still greater than the ambient atmospheric pressure at a filling product temperature of less than 4° C., which corresponds to storage of the bottle in a refrigerator.
  • Another goal of the present invention is to make available a device for manufacturing and filling containers, which is able to ensure an improved method of providing filled beverage containers in the most energy-efficient and reliable way possible from a preform by blow molding to form a beverage container, which is then hot filled.
  • the present invention relates to a container processing device for molding and/or manufacturing beverage containers having thin walls and/or at least partially unstable shapes under the influence of heat, e.g., PET bottles or such containers having a low thermal stability and also for sterile filling thereof with a hot liquid filling product.
  • the container processing device includes at least one container molding station for molding preforms to form beverage containers by a blow molding method, a container filling station for filling the containers with hot filling product, a gassing station for pressurizing the filled containers with a compressed gas, and a sealing device for pressure-tight and airtight sealing of the containers.
  • the container molding station is formed by a blow molding station for stretch blow molding of the preforms to form plastic containers, the blow molding station including a blow mold having a duct system for a temperature-regulating medium to flow through, the temperature-regulating medium being formed essentially by water.
  • the blow mold may be connected by hose lines, for example, to a central distributor at the center of the blow molding machine.
  • a network of bores, through which the temperature-regulating medium flows, passes through the blow mold.
  • Each of the two blow molds usually present per blow molding station has two connections for forward flow and return flow of the medium.
  • this medium transfers heat to the blow mold, namely in a temperature range of less than 110° C., preferably less than 100° C.
  • the bottom normally has separate connections for another temperature-regulating medium circuit at another temperature.
  • the bottom temperature may preferably be less than 30° C. when cold, more preferably less than 10° C.
  • a particular advantage of this embodiment is that with the device according to the present invention, it is possible to work with water as the temperature-regulating medium for the blow molds at temperatures below 100° C., whereas in the related art, only oil may be used as the temperature-regulating medium at temperatures of 130° C. to 140° C.
  • the container molding station and the container filling station are integrated in design and/or structure.
  • the container molding station is preferably formed by a blow molding station for stretch blow molding of the preforms to form plastic containers, the container filling station, which is combined with it in space and/or design, being connected thereto.
  • the blow molding station has a liquid-cooled or gas-cooled and/or gas-purged drawing rod, an opening to the liquid or gas outlet being situated essentially on an end face of the drawing rod facing the bottom of the container to be molded.
  • the device according to the present invention may be designed in particular as a rotary machine for continuous container molding and container filling in one integrated process.
  • the present invention provides a method for hot bottling, which has been improved and developed further in essential aspects in comparison with the known methods. Hot bottling still takes place in a typical temperature range, which should usually be between approximately 85° C. and 92° C. To compensate for the volume shrinkage occurring in cooling of the hot-filled liquid, the method operates with pressurization. Pressurization is currently achieved by adding nitrogen because in numerous experiments with PET bottles, such nitrogen pressurization has proven to be particularly advantageous.
  • the improved process technology of hot filling with pressurization makes it possible to revise the process engineering to be employed in hot bottling in some aspects, thereby providing novel variants. The result is a novel method claim for stretch blow molding and filling technology.
  • the container is stabilized by pressurization, not by thermal crystallization of the bottle.
  • pressurization is also utilized for mechanical stabilization in addition to volume compensation.
  • thermal crystallization of the material is no longer necessary and it is possible to work with conventional blow molding technology.
  • the present invention relates to the manufacture of containers, e.g., PET bottles, as well as their filling.
  • the PET bottles are hot filled and pressurized, with the blow molding temperature typically to be set between 10° C. and 110° C., preferably 60° C. and 95° C., and most preferably between 80° C. and 90° C.
  • a preferred temperature range is 80° C. to 90° C.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic flow chart to illustrate successive method steps in hot bottling of beverage in containers.
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional diagram of a PET container blow molded using a drawing rod.
  • the schematic flow chart in FIG. 1 shows successive method steps in molding preforms to form containers and the subsequent hot bottling of beverages in these containers.
  • the method presented here allows sterile filling of beverage containers and/or PET bottles having thin walls and/or at least partially unstable shapes under the influence of heat. These PET bottles are filled with a hot liquid beverage, after which the bottles are pressurized by nitrogen as a compressed gas and then sealed.
  • preforms 10 are molded by a blow molding operation to form beverage containers 12 , which are filled with a hot beverage 16 in a subsequent method step S 2 by a suitable filling device 14 .
  • Containers 12 which are still hot after the blow molding operation, are cooled in a controlled manner and then sent to filling operation S 2 .
  • Containers 12 are blown, conveyed, and filled with hot liquid 16 within short distances, in particular through design and/or structural integration of a blow molding station with a downstream filling station. It may be advantageous in this context to be sure that bottles 12 remain at the same spacing, which is advantageous for ensuring constant filling and shrinkage conditions.
  • the design and/or structural integration may also be referred to as “blocking” of the blow molding machine and filling machine.
  • step S 3 the air in the upper area of container 12 is displaced by filling with liquid or gaseous nitrogen, so that the mechanical stability of container 12 may at the same time be ensured after cooling of liquid 16 .
  • step S 4 container 12 , which has been filled with hot liquid 16 and pressurized with liquid or pressurized liquefied compressed gas 18 , is sealed with a sealing cover 20 .
  • compressed gas 18 evaporates slowly, while the pressure in the bottle increases.
  • Containers 12 filled in this way may be sent to a packaging and/or storage logistics after a cooling phase and interim storage, if necessary.
  • Gaseous or liquid nitrogen (N 2 ) in particular may be used as compressed gas 18 in method step S 3 .
  • Nitrogen ensures that there will be no partial vacuum in containers 12 after cooling, so that containers 12 , which have relatively thin walls and/or are soft enough to bend, do not deform in an unwanted manner due to partial vacuum.
  • Containers 12 are typically filled with the liquid filling product at a temperature above 75° C. The method described here is suitable for bottling the beverage at filling temperatures between approximately 85° C. and 92° C. in particular.
  • the filling pressure of compressed gas 18 introduced after filling containers 12 with liquid 16 may be approximately 2 bar or more, so that the internal pressure of cooled containers 12 is slightly above the ambient atmospheric pressure.
  • Reference numeral 8 in FIG. 1 denotes a container processing device, which includes the processing modules required for implementing method steps S 1 through S 4 described above in a structurally integrated manner, which is characterized by the frame surrounding the processing modules.
  • Container processing device 8 thus includes at least one container molding station for molding preforms 10 to form beverage containers 12 by a blow molding method (method step S 1 ), a container filling station having filling device 14 for filling containers 12 with hot liquid 16 (method step S 2 ), a gassing station for pressurizing filled containers 12 with a compressed gas 18 (nitrogen; method step S 3 ), and a sealing device for pressure-tight and airtight sealing of containers 12 using sealing cover 20 (method step S 4 ).
  • the container molding station and the containing filling station are integrated by design and/or structurally in the manner described here, so that containers 12 undergo a controlled cooling between the container processing stations.
  • This has the particular advantage that containers 12 shrink in a precisely controllable manner, so that largely constant fill levels may be maintained.
  • hygienic advantages are achieved through the structural integration of container processing device 8 because the risk of contaminants may be significantly reduced on the very short path between container molding and filling.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment variant of container molding using a blow mold 22 and a drawing rod 24 movable along the direction of longitudinal extent of preform 10 or container 12 .
  • Multipart blow mold 22 has an essentially known design having at least two shell-type halves and a bottom part 26 clampable thereto and a head part 28 , which secures preform 10 during the molding operation and also secures finished molded container 12 .
  • preforms 10 or containers 12 are treated, i.e., drawn during the blow molding operation by liquid or gas and/or with drawing rod 24 .
  • Liquid or gas is allowed to escape essentially at one end face 32 oriented to bottom 30 of drawing rod 24 facing container 12 to be molded.
  • Essentially only bottom 30 of container 12 is cooled in this way, while side walls 34 may retain the high temperature prevailing during the blow molding operation.
  • the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments presented above. Instead, a plurality of variants and modifications is conceivable, making use of the idea according to the present invention and therefore also falling within the scope of the present invention.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
  • Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
US12/660,767 2009-03-06 2010-03-04 Method and device for manufacturing and filling thin-walled beverage containers Abandoned US20100225030A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/149,617 US9896318B2 (en) 2009-03-06 2016-05-09 Method and device for manufacturing and filling thin-walled beverage containers

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102009011583.8 2009-03-06
DE102009011583A DE102009011583A1 (de) 2009-03-06 2009-03-06 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen und Befüllen von dünnwandigen Getränkebehältern

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US15/149,617 Continuation US9896318B2 (en) 2009-03-06 2016-05-09 Method and device for manufacturing and filling thin-walled beverage containers

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100225030A1 true US20100225030A1 (en) 2010-09-09

Family

ID=42282096

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/660,767 Abandoned US20100225030A1 (en) 2009-03-06 2010-03-04 Method and device for manufacturing and filling thin-walled beverage containers
US15/149,617 Active US9896318B2 (en) 2009-03-06 2016-05-09 Method and device for manufacturing and filling thin-walled beverage containers

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US15/149,617 Active US9896318B2 (en) 2009-03-06 2016-05-09 Method and device for manufacturing and filling thin-walled beverage containers

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (2) US20100225030A1 (zh)
EP (2) EP2226179B1 (zh)
CN (2) CN104309101A (zh)
DE (1) DE102009011583A1 (zh)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110225932A1 (en) * 2010-03-19 2011-09-22 Jochen Hirdina Apparatus and method for the hot filling of beverages
EP2812172A1 (en) * 2012-02-10 2014-12-17 Nestec S.A. A method of blowing, filling and capping containers
US20140366485A1 (en) * 2013-06-17 2014-12-18 The Clorox Company Skin antiseptic applicator and methods of making and using the same
US10350816B2 (en) * 2014-08-20 2019-07-16 Krones Ag Form-filing machine
US10392151B2 (en) * 2011-08-31 2019-08-27 Amcor Rigid Plastics Usa, Llc Lightweight container base
US11225345B2 (en) * 2016-10-19 2022-01-18 Krones Ag Method and apparatus for producing beverage containers with recooling and gas feed
CN114728709A (zh) * 2019-11-21 2022-07-08 大日本印刷株式会社 无菌填充方法和无菌填充机

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012103905A1 (de) * 2011-01-31 2012-08-09 Khs Gmbh Verfahren sowie vorrichtung zum herstellen von mit einem flüssigen füllgut gefüllten behältern
BR112014000484B1 (pt) * 2011-08-08 2020-06-30 Discma Ag. método de desgaseificação de um recipiente preenchido com bebida carbonatada
CN103826973B (zh) * 2011-08-08 2015-09-30 帝斯克玛股份有限公司 用于由塑料型坯同时吹制和灌装塑料容器的系统
DE102015120768A1 (de) * 2015-11-30 2017-06-01 Khs Gmbh Verfahren zum Befüllen von durch Streckblasen hergestellten Kunststoffbehältern
DE102019104365A1 (de) * 2019-02-21 2020-08-27 Krones Ag Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Gewährleistung eines Behältnisinnendrucks durch mehrfache Druckbeaufschlagung des Kopfraums
DE102019116598A1 (de) 2019-06-19 2020-12-24 Khs Corpoplast Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen von gefüllten Behältern aus Vorformlingen

Citations (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4206171A (en) * 1976-12-06 1980-06-03 Owens-Illinois, Inc. Method for thermal conditioning a thermoplastic parison
US4318882A (en) * 1980-02-20 1982-03-09 Monsanto Company Method for producing a collapse resistant polyester container for hot fill applications
US4439394A (en) * 1982-11-05 1984-03-27 Owens-Illinois, Inc. Heat setting method
US4524045A (en) * 1981-03-05 1985-06-18 Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd. Method of fabricating bottle-shaped container of saturated polyester
US4755404A (en) * 1986-05-30 1988-07-05 Continental Pet Technologies, Inc. Refillable polyester beverage bottle and preform for forming same
US4883631A (en) * 1986-09-22 1989-11-28 Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc. Heat set method for oval containers
US5251424A (en) * 1991-01-11 1993-10-12 American National Can Company Method of packaging products in plastic containers
US5501590A (en) * 1989-10-23 1996-03-26 Nissei Asb Machine Co., Ltd. Apparatus for manufacturing biaxially oriented, thermally stable blown containers
US5547631A (en) * 1992-09-22 1996-08-20 Pepsico., Inc. Process for annealing biaxially oriented hollow shaped thermoplastic atricles
US5753175A (en) * 1994-12-29 1998-05-19 Nissei Asb Machine Co., Ltd. Method of molding a heat-resistant container and a set of molds for the method
US5941054A (en) * 1997-10-16 1999-08-24 The Elizabeth And Sandor Valyi Foundation, Inc. Method for producing filled rigid containers of plastic
US6119433A (en) * 1994-12-12 2000-09-19 The Coca-Cola Company System and method for sterile packaging of beverages
US6418731B1 (en) * 2000-07-10 2002-07-16 Michael M. Anthony Self-cooling container with internal beverage receptacle and process of manufacturing self-cooling container
US6458314B1 (en) * 1996-10-18 2002-10-01 Sinco Ricerche S.P.A. Process for the dimensional stabilization of containers in polyethylene terephthalate
US6502369B1 (en) * 2000-10-25 2003-01-07 Amcor Twinpak-North America Inc. Method of supporting plastic containers during product filling and packaging when exposed to elevated temperatures and internal pressure variations
US20090071104A1 (en) * 2005-03-16 2009-03-19 Krones Ag Method and device for the sterile filling with fluids
US20090278288A1 (en) * 2006-07-12 2009-11-12 Frank Haesendonckx Method and Device for Blow-Molding Containers

Family Cites Families (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2807949A1 (de) * 1978-02-24 1979-08-30 Ver Verpackungs Gmbh Verfahren zum herstellen von flaschen aus kunststoff
JPS5613141A (en) * 1979-07-13 1981-02-09 Toray Ind Inc Manufacture of thermoplastic polyester container
GB8915532D0 (en) 1989-07-06 1989-08-23 Whitbread & Co Plc Beverage container and method of filling it
US5133468A (en) * 1991-06-14 1992-07-28 Constar Plastics Inc. Footed hot-fill container
CA2139741C (en) * 1992-07-07 1998-08-25 Wayne N. Collette Method of forming container with high-crystallinity sidewall and low-crystallinity base
JPH06263190A (ja) 1993-03-12 1994-09-20 Kita Sangyo Kk 薄肉合成樹脂製容器への内容物熱充填方法
JP3777204B2 (ja) 1994-11-11 2006-05-24 日精エー・エス・ビー機械株式会社 耐熱容器の成形装置及び成形方法
DE19520925A1 (de) * 1995-06-08 1996-12-12 Khs Masch & Anlagenbau Ag Verfahren zum keimarmen Füllen von Kunststoff-Flaschen, beispielsweise von PET-Flaschen, o. dgl. Behälter mit geringer Hitzebeständigkeit mit einem flüssigen Füllgut
EE03456B1 (et) 1995-09-14 2001-06-15 Ericsson Inc. Helisignaalide adaptiivse filtreerimise süsteem kõneselguse parendamiseks mürarikkas keskkonnas
US6063465A (en) * 1998-04-23 2000-05-16 Hna Holdings, Inc. Polyester container and method for making same
DE19909644A1 (de) * 1999-03-05 2000-09-07 Krupp Corpoplast Masch Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Blasformung von Behältern
AU2004249691B2 (en) 2003-06-18 2009-10-08 The Coca-Cola Company Polyester composition for hot fill applications, containers made therewith, and methods
DE60326353D1 (de) * 2003-11-06 2009-04-09 Nestle Waters Man & Technology Herstellungsverfahren von Behältern aus Polyesterharz
DE202004021781U1 (de) * 2004-03-25 2010-12-09 Krones Ag Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines insbesondere wärmebeständigen Hohlkörpers
US7416089B2 (en) 2004-12-06 2008-08-26 Constar International Inc. Hot-fill type plastic container with reinforced heel
DE102005000681A1 (de) * 2005-01-04 2006-07-20 Sig Technology Ltd. Vefahren und Vorrichtung zur Blasformung von Behältern
DE212006000052U1 (de) * 2005-09-20 2008-05-15 Alpla-Werke Alwin Lehner Gmbh & Co. Kg Preform für PET-Flaschen
CN100560338C (zh) * 2006-12-08 2009-11-18 上海紫江企业集团股份有限公司 容器瓶的拉伸吹塑成型方法

Patent Citations (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4206171A (en) * 1976-12-06 1980-06-03 Owens-Illinois, Inc. Method for thermal conditioning a thermoplastic parison
US4318882A (en) * 1980-02-20 1982-03-09 Monsanto Company Method for producing a collapse resistant polyester container for hot fill applications
US4524045A (en) * 1981-03-05 1985-06-18 Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd. Method of fabricating bottle-shaped container of saturated polyester
US4439394A (en) * 1982-11-05 1984-03-27 Owens-Illinois, Inc. Heat setting method
US4755404A (en) * 1986-05-30 1988-07-05 Continental Pet Technologies, Inc. Refillable polyester beverage bottle and preform for forming same
US4883631A (en) * 1986-09-22 1989-11-28 Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc. Heat set method for oval containers
US5501590A (en) * 1989-10-23 1996-03-26 Nissei Asb Machine Co., Ltd. Apparatus for manufacturing biaxially oriented, thermally stable blown containers
US5251424A (en) * 1991-01-11 1993-10-12 American National Can Company Method of packaging products in plastic containers
US5547631A (en) * 1992-09-22 1996-08-20 Pepsico., Inc. Process for annealing biaxially oriented hollow shaped thermoplastic atricles
US6119433A (en) * 1994-12-12 2000-09-19 The Coca-Cola Company System and method for sterile packaging of beverages
US5753175A (en) * 1994-12-29 1998-05-19 Nissei Asb Machine Co., Ltd. Method of molding a heat-resistant container and a set of molds for the method
US6458314B1 (en) * 1996-10-18 2002-10-01 Sinco Ricerche S.P.A. Process for the dimensional stabilization of containers in polyethylene terephthalate
US5941054A (en) * 1997-10-16 1999-08-24 The Elizabeth And Sandor Valyi Foundation, Inc. Method for producing filled rigid containers of plastic
US6418731B1 (en) * 2000-07-10 2002-07-16 Michael M. Anthony Self-cooling container with internal beverage receptacle and process of manufacturing self-cooling container
US6502369B1 (en) * 2000-10-25 2003-01-07 Amcor Twinpak-North America Inc. Method of supporting plastic containers during product filling and packaging when exposed to elevated temperatures and internal pressure variations
US20090071104A1 (en) * 2005-03-16 2009-03-19 Krones Ag Method and device for the sterile filling with fluids
US20090278288A1 (en) * 2006-07-12 2009-11-12 Frank Haesendonckx Method and Device for Blow-Molding Containers

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110225932A1 (en) * 2010-03-19 2011-09-22 Jochen Hirdina Apparatus and method for the hot filling of beverages
US10392151B2 (en) * 2011-08-31 2019-08-27 Amcor Rigid Plastics Usa, Llc Lightweight container base
EP2812172A1 (en) * 2012-02-10 2014-12-17 Nestec S.A. A method of blowing, filling and capping containers
EP2812172B1 (en) * 2012-02-10 2022-10-19 Discma AG A method of blowing, filling and capping containers
US20140366485A1 (en) * 2013-06-17 2014-12-18 The Clorox Company Skin antiseptic applicator and methods of making and using the same
US9867973B2 (en) 2013-06-17 2018-01-16 Medline Industries, Inc. Skin antiseptic applicator and methods of making and using the same
US9999757B2 (en) * 2013-06-17 2018-06-19 Medline Industries, Inc. Skin antiseptic applicator and methods of making and using the same
US10661064B2 (en) 2013-06-17 2020-05-26 Medline Industries, Inc. Skin antiseptic applicator and methods of making and using the same
US10765849B2 (en) * 2013-06-17 2020-09-08 Medline Industries, Inc. Skin antiseptic applicator and methods of making and using the same
US10350816B2 (en) * 2014-08-20 2019-07-16 Krones Ag Form-filing machine
US11225345B2 (en) * 2016-10-19 2022-01-18 Krones Ag Method and apparatus for producing beverage containers with recooling and gas feed
CN114728709A (zh) * 2019-11-21 2022-07-08 大日本印刷株式会社 无菌填充方法和无菌填充机

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2226179A2 (de) 2010-09-08
CN101863309A (zh) 2010-10-20
EP3330057A1 (de) 2018-06-06
US20160251207A1 (en) 2016-09-01
EP2226179B1 (de) 2018-04-11
US9896318B2 (en) 2018-02-20
CN104309101A (zh) 2015-01-28
EP3330057B1 (de) 2019-10-02
EP2226179A3 (de) 2014-12-10
DE102009011583A1 (de) 2010-09-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9896318B2 (en) Method and device for manufacturing and filling thin-walled beverage containers
US6502369B1 (en) Method of supporting plastic containers during product filling and packaging when exposed to elevated temperatures and internal pressure variations
JP5940072B2 (ja) 液圧又は水圧ブロー成型
US20140157726A1 (en) Method and device for producing containers which are filled with a liquid filling substance
CN105073385B (zh) 用于生产和填充容器的方法和设备
US7141190B2 (en) Biaxially oriented hollow thermoplastic bodies and improved method for sterilization
BRPI0821065B1 (pt) Sistema para formação e enchimento simultâneos de um recipiente plástico e seu método
CN101652314B (zh) 用于填充可收缩容器的方法
JP5237384B2 (ja) 高温充填用容器
WO2008006347A3 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zur blasformung von behältern
US9138916B2 (en) Method and plant for the manufacture of container preforms
US20070222123A1 (en) Method for Producing Containers Comprising a Narrow Opening and a Long Body by Means of Below Molding or Stretch Below Molding Polypropylene Preforms
US9421709B2 (en) Method of manufacturing product filled containers
US20060255513A1 (en) Mold gap seal
JP2011500457A (ja) 薄壁容器の内部に加圧する方法及びそれによって形成される加圧容器
AU2008315892B2 (en) Method for producing a thin-walled container and container pressurisation method
JP2008094482A (ja) 液体内容物詰プラスチックボトル製品の製造方法
WO2004020172A1 (en) Insulated apparatus for injecting and removing compressed air from a cooled mold cavity
US20190039768A1 (en) Method for shaping the bottom of hot-filled containers
US20220288833A1 (en) Free blow container with a push up base
JP2005028681A (ja) 耐熱性ボトルの２段ブロー成形法
MX2022001558A (es) Proceso para fabricar un envase de plastico, que comprende el enfriamiento no refrigerado de una base del molde.
CN114080315A (zh) 形成并填充容器的高压工艺及对应系统
JP2005028680A (ja) 耐熱性ボトルの２段ブロー成形法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: KRONES AG, GERMANY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HIRDINA, JOCHEN;REEL/FRAME:024082/0208

Effective date: 20100303

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION