WO2020020881A1

WO2020020881A1 - Device and method for shaping plastic pre-forms to form plastic containers via pressure generation brought about by rotating a carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2020020881A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/069790
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harald Steinberger; Andreas Vornehm
Original assignee: Krones Ag
Priority date: 2018-07-23
Filing date: 2019-07-23
Publication date: 2020-01-30
Also published as: DE102018117757A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for expanding plastic pre-forms (10) to form plastic containers by means of a fluid medium, comprising at least one shaping station (2) which fills the plastic pre-forms with the fluid medium and expands same, and comprising at least one supply unit (6) which supplies the fluid medium to the shaping station (2), wherein the shaping station has a filling unit (12) which fills the fluid medium into the plastic pre-forms (10), and wherein the device has a pressure-generation unit (4) which supplies the fluid medium to the shaping station (2) under pressure, wherein the shaping station (2) is arranged on a rotatable carrier (62) and a drive unit (18) is provided for driving the carrier (8). According to the invention, the device (1) has an energy conversion unit (20), which converts a rotational energy of the carrier (62) and/or of the drive unit (18) and/or of a further stationary drive unit into a drive energy for operating the pressure-generation unit.

Description

Device and method for forming plastic preforms

Plastic containers produced by rotating a carrier

description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers. Such devices and methods have long been known from the prior art. With such methods, plastic preforms are usually first blown into plastic containers by means of compressed air and then the containers blown in this way are filled with a filling material, in particular a beverage. However, devices and methods have recently become known in which plastic preforms are filled directly with the beverage to be filled and are also expanded in the process

More precisely, in such a combined stretch blow molding machine, the thermally preconditioned plastic preform is not expanded into a hollow body in at least two steps by means of a gas (traditionally compressed air), but rather the filling material to be filled is used directly as the pressure medium and the Preform expanded in at least one step.

Due to the dramatically lower temperature of the filling material in relation to the pre-conditioned preform, the hot plastic preform will harden in an extremely short time. The problem with the desired process is to introduce the filling material into the plastic hollow body faster than it takes time despite the temperature differences to harden. From the applicant's internal prior art, it is known that blow-filling stations of this type are installed on rotating cassettes in order to achieve the medium and high output range. For this reason, the amount of energy required for this must be introduced into the rotating part of a machine using various rotary distributors and slip ring carriers.

From a certain size, however, these slip ring carriers are extremely expensive and also very space-intensive. In the process also referred to in this context as the liquiform process, the pressure-free product to be discharged has to be pressed into the plastic preform with energy expenditure in order to produce the plastic container by forming. This means that such machines must have modules that can pressurize the initially unpressurized product and make it available to the forming station.

The energy supply is relatively simple if the said pressure generating modules are stationary to the molding stations and the central energy supply, that is to say if the energy does not have to be transferred to moving or rotating parts. If, on the other hand, the forming stations are arranged on a movable and / or rotating part of the plant, the forming energy must be transferred to this part of the plant. Depending on the machine output, the total power required on the moving part can increase considerably and require larger and or additional transformers.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device and a method which, even in processes referred to above as liquiform, enable an adequate supply of energy to the usually moving forming stations. According to the invention, these objects are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

A device according to the invention for expanding plastic preforms to plastic containers by means of a liquid medium and in particular by means of a drink has at least one forming station which the plastic preforms with fills and expands the liquid medium, and at least one feed device which feeds the liquid medium to the forming station, the forming station having a filling device which fills the liquid medium into the plastic preforms, and the device having a pressure generating device which corresponds to the tion station supplies the liquid medium under pressure, the forming station being arranged on a rotatable carrier, and a drive device being provided for driving the carrier.

According to the invention, the device has an energy converter device which converts a rotational energy of the carrier and / or the drive device and / or a further stationary drive device into drive energy for operating the pressure generating device.

The liquid is advantageously a drink and in particular the drink to be filled into the containers later.

A plurality of such forming stations is particularly preferably arranged on the rotatable carrier / rotating carousel. Each of these shaping stations particularly preferably has a shaping shape within which the plastic preforms are expandable and, in particular, can be expanded by filling with the liquid product. This form of forming can have several parts, for example two side parts and a bottom part, which together form the cavity within which the plastic preforms are expanded.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the shaping station has a rod-like body which can be inserted into the plastic preforms in order to stretch it in the longitudinal direction thereof. One way of executing this energy converter unit is to attach a toothed ring to a table top or the support, and to attach a geared pump, for example an axial piston pump, to the rotating part for each station, which pump then rolls through on the static ring gear is driven. In particular, therefore, the energy input into the rotating part does not take place via rotary distributors, but is ultimately applied by the drive for the rotary carousel and in particular is transferred mechanically to the pump located on the rotating part. However, electrical energy transmission would also be possible, for example in which a dynamo device or a generator device is arranged on the rotary distributors, which in turn is driven by said rotary movement. The is preferred

Pressure generating device a pump device. This is particularly preferably an axial piston pump which is particularly preferably adjustable both in the delivery rate and in the delivery direction.

It is particularly preferred for this, i.e. To drive this pump, a drive and in particular an actuator is provided, which serves to arrange and / or adjust the pressure generating device. This drive device can be, for example, a servo drive, the energy requirement of which can in turn be easily transferred using slip ring carriers - even of a small size. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device therefore also has a transmission device for transmitting electrical energy, and in particular a slip ring arrangement. By conveying in both directions, the pressure generating device can also suck in cleaning agents and pump them backwards if necessary, for example by pumping through the entire product supply. It is also conceivable to fill the edges to the brim and then suck off a filling material, for example to a predetermined filling level of the filling body. Here, the device could provide a kind of product recovery.

In addition to a slip ring method for the transmission of electrical energy, an inductively operating energy transmission device could also be provided. For example, “inductive slip rings” could be provided. For example, permanent magnets could be provided stationary on the carriers, which in turn generate the electrical energy in the coils of the carrier.

An inductive energy transmission device is therefore preferably provided, which has energy transmission elements which consist of a group of energy transmission elements. elements is selected, which contains coils, permanent magnets and the like. At least one of these (inductive) energy transmission elements is preferably arranged such that it can move relative to another of these energy transmission elements. It would be conceivable for two coils to face each other, one of these coils being stationary and the other being movable and, in particular, rotatable. The stationary coil can induce voltage in the movable coil. This mode of operation is comparable to that of a transformer. The present invention has been described here with reference to a shaping device for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers. However, it is pointed out that the present invention can also be used for other machines, for example for so-called injection molding machines, which particularly preferably also have a large number of cavities which are arranged on a rotatable carrier, these cavities each for the production of plastic preforms.

The applicant therefore reserves the right to claim protection for a device for the production of plastic preforms with at least one forming station, to which a plastic material can be fed, and which produces plastic preforms from this plastic material. This device also has a filling device which feeds the plastic medium to a molding tool.

A pressure generating device could also be provided here, which supplies the plastic material under pressure, the forming station being particularly preferably arranged on a rotatable carrier, and a drive device for driving the carrier. As also above, this drive device is particularly preferably arranged stationary. Within the scope of this invention, the device also has an energy converter device which converts a rotational energy of the carrier and / or the drive device and / or a further stationary drive device into a drive energy for operating the pressure generating device and / or the filling device. This suggests the transfer of the energy required for the mold filling process to a rotating mold filling wheel, wherein the energy can be transferred mechanically as mentioned above, but also with the aid of an electromagnetic coupling such as a permanent magnet, synchronous motor and / or generator. In addition, it is also conceivable that motor components are installed in addition to the main drive known from today's stretch blow molding machines.

It is thus conceivable that a primary part such as a winding can be placed on the rotating part, such as the carrier, and magnets, which are connected to the stationary machine part, on the secondary part. If the drive device, and in particular the main drive, sets the mold filling wheel in motion, tension is indicated in a winding (primary part). It is conceivable and preferred that inverters are provided on the movable part which particularly preferably regulate the power draw from the winding and make the energy available to the consumers on the rotating mold filling wheel or the carrier.

In addition to supplying the components on the carrier or mold filling wheel with energy, the system can be used to brake the carrier by converting the kinetic energy from the rotation into heat. This is conceivable, for example, by specifically influencing the current of the primary winding (d-current component) or in consumers such as the pressure generation from which the stretching drives specifically derive energy.

With regard to the engine components, several variants and their arrangement are conceivable. For example, a central arrangement is conceivable in which a generator or dynamo sits in the center of the carrier or mold filling wheel. The primary part (winding) rotates with the form filling wheel. The secondary part (excitation / magnets) is preferably fixed to the machine foundation.

In addition, a concentric arrangement would also be conceivable. One or more generators are provided, which are preferably arranged concentrically around the center of the mold filling wheel. It is conceivable that the primary parts are arranged fixed to the carrier. The secondary parts rotate on the one hand with the primary parts about the axis of the carrier and on the other hand also about their own axis. This creates a relative movement between the primary part and the secondary part. This relative movement can be generated, for example, by a toothing that exists between the secondary parts and the stationary machine foundation. This arrangement bears some resemblance to a planetary gear.

In addition, a discrete arrangement would alternatively also be conceivable. Here, the dynamo or generator is built from modular components. Several combinations of primary and secondary rows are conceivable here, the shape size and the installation location being selected in such a way that a relative movement occurs between the primary parts rotating with the carrier and the stationary secondary parts. This principle can be implemented, for example, with motor kits, similar to those for linear drives, which are known per se from the prior art.

In a preferred embodiment, the (at least one) pressure generating device is therefore arranged on the rotatable carrier / rotary carousel. It is conceivable that a pressure generating device is provided for several forming stations. However, it would also be possible for several pressure generating devices or pumps to be present. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment it would be possible for a pressure generating device to be assigned to each forming station.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the energy converter device has a toothing that is non-rotatably coupled to the carrier and that is used to operate the pressure generating device at least indirectly. It is possible that the pressure generating device is driven directly by means of this toothing. However, it would also be possible for this toothing to drive a generator, which in turn generates the electrical energy for operating the pressure generating device.

However, it would also be possible for this toothing, which is embodied in particular as a ring gear, to be rotatable relative to the blowing and / or filling wheel, for example moving in the same direction or in opposite directions with respect to the latter. In this way, the speed of the pressure generating devices (in particular pumps) coupled via the toothing can be adapted, that is to say in particular increased or reduced. In a further advantageous embodiment, the rotational energy of the carrier and / or its drive device and / or a further stationary drive device is mechanically converted to rotational energy of the pressure generating device and / or of an element of the pressure generating device. It is conceivable that the pressure generating device is driven directly via the toothing.

As mentioned above, several approaches are possible. So the rotation of the carrier or a wheel coupled to it can be used directly. The drive device which drives the main carrier could also have a further output shaft which drives said generator. This output shaft could run concentrically with an axis of rotation of the carrier. In a further embodiment, it would also be conceivable for an additional drive device to be arranged which drives said generator device or else direct pressure generating device. This further drive device could also again have an output shaft which coincides with the axis of rotation of the carrier.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one pressure generating device, preferably a pump device and in particular a pump device, is provided, which is selected from a group of pump directions, which see hydraulic pumps, sinus pumps, axial piston pumps, bellows pumps, diaphragm pumps,

Contains scroll pumps, rotary piston pumps, eccentric screw pumps, screw conveyors, impeller pumps, chain pumps, ring piston pumps, peristaltic pumps, screw pumps, shaking pumps, toothed belt pumps and the like. In a further advantageous embodiment, the filling device has a closing element which blocks the inflow of the liquid into the container in at least one position and permits this inflow in at least one position. In this way, the supply of the liquid to containers can be controlled. However, it would also be possible for control to take place directly via the respective pump device or pressure generating device. In a further advantageous embodiment, the energy converter device has a gear device which converts a rotational movement of the carrier and / or the drive device and / or a further stationary drive device into a rotational movement of at least one element of the pressure generating device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the energy converter device has a dynamo device and / or generator device which converts the rotational energy of the carrier and / or the drive device and / or the further stationary drive device into electrical energy which is at least partially used to operate the Pressure generating device can be used.

This embodiment is therefore proposed, since it does not directly convert the mechanical energy of the carrier into mechanical energy of the pressure generating device, but rather first generates electrical energy, which in turn is used to drive the pressure generating device.

The present invention is further directed to a method for expanding plastic preforms to plastic containers by means of a liquid medium, wherein at least one shaping station fills and expands the plastic preforms with the liquid medium, and at least one feed device feeds the liquid medium to the shaping station, the shaping station the liquid medium is filled into the plastic preforms by means of a filling device and the device supplies the liquid medium under pressure by means of a pressure generating device to the forming station, the forming station being arranged on a rotatable carrier and at least temporarily during the expansion along an essentially circular

Transport path moves and a drive device further drives this carrier for rotation.

According to the invention, an energy conversion device, a rotational energy of the carrier and / or the drive device and / or another stationary drive device converts into drive energy for operating the pressure generating device. It is therefore also proposed on the process side that the rotational energy of the carrier present in the system is used indirectly or directly to drive the pressure generating devices.

In a preferred method, the energy conversion device converts the rotational energy of the carrier and / or the drive device and / or a further stationary drive device into a rotational movement of at least one element of the pressure generating device and / or the energy conversion device converts the rotational energy of the carrier and / or the drive device and / or a further stationary drive device in electrical energy and this electrical energy is at least partially used to operate the pressure generating device.

As mentioned above, it is generally possible for the energy to be transmitted to the stationary part of the machine and a gearwheel at each pressure generating device by means of a static ring gear. Instead of a sprocket, however, a belt drive or a chain drive could also be provided in order to transmit the energy to the pressure generating device.

The energy supply to the pressure generating device, for example a pump, is thus preferably carried out by means of a rotary movement generated by the main drive motor. The energy could be generated by means of a static ring gear on the stationary part of the machine and a gearwheel at each pressure generating device.

In addition, the transmission of the energy could also take place by means of, in particular, a rotationally dynamic sprocket (preferably in both directions of rotation) which is arranged on the stationary part of the machine and a drive wheel for each individual pressure generating device. This rotationally dynamic sprocket could also be driven by means of a belt drive or chain drive or also an electric motor and / or a mechanical gear or a shaft. As mentioned above, an axial piston pump is particularly suitable as a pressure generating device, which can preferably be continuously adjusted from the delivery rate in the forward direction to zero delivery up to the delivery rate in the return direction. Such an axial piston pump could be actuated, for example, by means of an (electric) linear motor. In addition, the pump could also be operated by means of a rotary motor and an eccentric drive (in particular using a cam or a crank drive).

In addition, this axial piston pump could also be actuated by means of a rotary motor, which is preferably connected directly to the axial piston pump.

In addition, it would also be conceivable for the pressure generating device and in particular the pump to be actuated by means of a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator. In addition, actuation of the pressure generating device by means of mechanical curves and / or switching cams would also be possible. A control device is particularly preferably provided in order to control these pressure generating devices. In this case, for example, a “filling ramp” could be provided, which can be specified or controlled particularly preferably by software. This ramp can be traversed for different filling speeds.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a securing device for the pressure generating device. For example, protection could be carried out by means of at least one pressure relief valve and / or a pressure switch and / or a short-circuit circuit. For example, the pump pressure could be designed for a maximum of 40 bar.

In addition, the securing device could also be a slip clutch or a clutch device which is arranged, for example, on a main drive shaft.

The protection could also take place by releasing an active member, for example between the driving sprocket and the axial piston pump, or by providing a clutch here. The same would be possible for a belt or chain drive.

Furthermore, it would also be possible for follow-up functions such as an emergency stop or bottle rejection to be carried out as described above as a result of the triggering of a self-securing measure. Furthermore, the pressure generating device could have a backing pump, for example a feed pump, with this being particularly preferably a upstream pressure or supply pressure pump. This pump could supply the medium to be filled to the axial piston pump.

It is possible that this feed pump is controlled separately from the axial piston pump with a pressure or quantity control. In a further advantageous embodiment, it would also be possible for this feed pump to be driven directly by a continuous main shaft of an axial piston pump (for example in a flange design). Control can also take place, for example, via a pressure valve (feed valve and possibly a feedback valve). Further advantages and embodiments result from the attached drawings.

In it show:

1 shows a schematic structure of a device according to the invention in a first embodiment;

2 shows a schematic representation of a device according to the invention in a second embodiment; 3 shows a schematic representation of a device according to the invention in a third embodiment;

4 shows an illustration of a device according to the invention in a fourth embodiment;

5 shows a detailed illustration to illustrate the device shown in FIG. 4;

6 shows a further illustration of an embodiment according to the invention; 7 shows a detailed illustration to illustrate a mechanical drive; and FIG. 8 shows a further illustration of a mechanical drive. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment. In this case, a “blowing wheel” or “station support” 62 is arranged on a base support 60. A large number of forming stations 2 are provided on this station carrier, but only two such stations are shown here. Like the carrier 62, these forming stations 2 are rotatably supported by means of roller bearings 56.

The reference numeral 6 denotes a supply line for supplying the liquid medium, which in the case of the pump solution is already under filling pressure, to a valve block 26 and ultimately to the filling device 12, which fills the plastic preforms (not shown) with the liquid. In addition, a stretching rod 28 can be provided, which stretches the plastic preforms in their longitudinal direction. An electric motor, and particularly preferably a linear motor, is preferably provided for moving this stretching rod.

The reference numeral 50 denotes a rotary distributor which distributes the liquid to be filled via line strings 52. The reference numerals 4 and 42 identify a pressure generating device which is used to ultimately supply the liquid to the containers via the high-pressure line 6. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the pressure generating device is an axial piston pump. These have a gear 64. This gearwheel can roll relative to a counter gear which is arranged on the round part of the device, namely the carrier 62. It is possible that

Gear of the (axial piston) pump rolls on a rotating, dynamic ring gear of a carrier, for example a table top. In this way, the gears 64 of the pressure generating device are also driven when the carrier 62 rotates and can thus pressurize the liquid. The gear 64 is thus a component of the energy converter device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

In this way, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the pressure generating devices are driven directly by the rotation of the blowing wheel. To drive the The blowing wheel is preferably provided with a drive device (not shown), in particular in the form of an electric motor.

The reference numeral 58 relates to a further, optionally available bearing, with the aid of which the gear wheel or the ring gear 64 can be rotatably supported with respect to the filling wheel or the carrier. In this way, as mentioned above, a speed of the pump device can be reduced or increased.

Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the present invention. Here, too, the individual forming stations are arranged rotating on the carrier 62. In this embodiment, a stationary drive motor 36 is additionally provided. This drives a generator 82 via a shaft 38. This generator can in turn supply the pressure generating devices with energy, but also possibly stretching rod movement units 84 or also a control device (not shown).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the rotation of a further stationary drive device, namely the motor 36, is therefore preferably used to drive a generator 82. However, it would also be possible for the shaft 38 to be driven directly by the drive motor which also drives the blowing wheel. For example, this drive motor could have a further shaft output. In addition, however, it would also be conceivable and preferred that the generator 82 is driven directly from the rotation of the carrier 62 (for example via a corresponding toothing).

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention. A first transport device or a feed wheel 32 is shown here, which plastic preforms

10 feeds the actual forming device. A second transport device or a discharge wheel 34 conveys the filled and also expanded containers 25. This system has a rotating system part I and also a stationary system part

11 The stationary system part II here contains a product feed line 64, via which the liquid to be filled is ultimately fed to the rotating part. For this purpose, a rotary distributor (not shown) is provided, which distributes the liquid to the individual forming stations 2 Reference numerals 4 and 42 relate to the pressure generating device. The reference numeral 45 denotes power electronics, which serve to control the pressure generating device. In the illustration shown in FIG. 3, the pressure generating device 4, 42 is supplied with electricity. For this purpose, a secondary part 5 is provided here, which is arranged in a stationary manner. The primary part 20 is arranged here centrally on the form filling wheel. This relative rotation generates the energy which in turn supplies the pumps.

The reference symbol 35 denotes a pressure storage device which is supplied by the pressure supply device. The reference numeral 37 denotes a pressure ring distributor, which is also fed by the pressure generating device 4, 42. Valves 26 are assigned to the individual stations, which serve for the liquid supply or for loading the plastic preforms. All forming stations are fed from the ring channel 37. The energy for operating the pump is again obtained here from the rotation of the support, designated in its entirety by 62.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is largely similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. A rotating system part and a fixed system part are also available here. However, not only a generator device is provided here, but several of the parts are in turn arranged on the mold carrier in a rotating manner. These primary parts are provided with the reference symbols 20a, 20b and 20c and the secondary parts with the reference symbols 5a, 5b, and 5c. These individual generators are driven by the rotation of the station carrier and thus generate the electrical energy for feeding the pressure generating device 4, 42. FIG. 5 shows a possible embodiment for driving the generator devices shown in FIG. 4 Have internal toothing or a ring gear 62a, which is in engagement with an external toothing 22 of the generator devices, which in turn drives a magnet carrier. The internal toothing is with connected to the base support 60. The generator devices are arranged on the station carrier. In this way, a rotary movement occurs in the generator when the molding wheel or the station carrier is rotated relative to the base carrier 60. In this variant, however, the rotation or the energy generation is also obtained from the rotation of the station carrier.

Figure 6 shows a further structure of the device according to the invention. A large number of modular secondary parts 72 are also provided here. These secondary parts are arranged here in a stationary manner and can each have magnets which, due to the rotation of the mold carrier, move relative to stationary magnets and in this way generate the electrical energy for driving the pressure generating device. The reference numeral 74 accordingly designates a modular primary part which is arranged on the carrier and thus rotatably.

The advantages of the embodiments shown are very good controllability and also the possibility of multi-quadrant operation. This means that the direction of the energy flow can be controlled. In addition, an improved scalability of the device is also possible. Furthermore, the magnetic elements described here, in particular the coils and the permanent magnets, can also be used as brakes for the mold filling wheel.

In a preferred embodiment, corresponding energy generation devices also have cooling elements, in particular but not exclusively, in order to cool coils.

FIG. 7 shows a roughly schematic illustration of a forming station 2, which runs here along a circular path. A gear to be driven is also shown schematically, which can be driven, for example, by external teeth of a stationary gear (see arrow P1). This gearwheel can drive a pump device such as an axial piston pump.

FIG. 8 shows a further roughly schematic representation of a device according to the invention. Here again there is a pump device or pressure generating device 4, 42 Provided, which is rotatably arranged and which is driven by a stationary element 81 and a gear 84 arranged on the pressure generating device.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pressure generating devices or pump devices are in turn driven directly by the rotating mold filling wheel or blowing wheel.

The applicant reserves the right to claim all of the features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that they are new to the state of the art, individually or in combination. It is also pointed out that features that may be advantageous in themselves were also described in the individual figures. The person skilled in the art immediately recognizes that a certain feature described in a figure can be advantageous even without the adoption of further features from this figure. The person skilled in the art also recognizes that advantages can also result from a combination of several features shown in individual or in different figures.

It is further pointed out that features which have been described with regard to the device are also used with regard to the described method. For example, the presence of a transport device for transporting containers means that containers are also transported using this transport device as part of the method. Conversely, it also follows from procedural features that corresponding devices are considered to be disclosed on the device side.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 device

2 forming stations

4 pressure generating device

5 secondary part

5a-c stationary secondary part

6 supply line

10 plastic preforms 12 filling device

20 primary part

20a-c primary parts

22 external teeth

25 filled containers

26 valve block

28 horizontal bar

32 first transport device

34 discharge wheel

35 pressure storage device

36 drive motor

37 pressure ring distributor

38 wave

42 Pressure generating device 45 Power electronics

50 rotary distributors

52 wiring harnesses

56 rolling bearings

58 roller bearings

60 basic carriers

62 Blow wheel, station carrier

62a internal toothing

64 gear

64 Product supply

72 second part

74 primary part

81 stationary element

82 generator

84 gear

I rotating system part

II stationary plant part

Claims

claims

1. Device (1) for expanding plastic preforms (10) into plastic containers by means of a liquid medium with at least one forming station (2), which fills the plastic preforms with the liquid medium and expands with at least one feed device (6) which one Forming station (2) feeds the liquid medium, the forming station having a filling device (12) which fills the liquid medium into the plastic preforms (10), and wherein the device has a pressure generating device (4, 42) which the forming station (2) the liquid medium is supplied under pressure, the forming station (2) being arranged on a rotatable carrier (62) and a drive device (18) for driving the carrier (62) being provided

characterized in that

the device (1) has an energy converter device (20, 20a, b, c, 64, 72, 74, 82) which has a rotational energy of the carrier (62) and / or the drive device (36) and / or one converts another stationary drive device into a drive energy for operating the pressure generating device.

2. Device according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the pressure generating device (4, 42) is arranged on the rotatable carrier (62).

3. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the energy converter device (20, 20a, b, c, 64, 72, 74, 82) has a toothing that is non-rotatably coupled to the carrier (8) and that is used for at least indirect operation of the pressure generating device.

4. The device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the rotational energy of the carrier (62) and / or the drive device (18) and / or a further stationary drive device is mechanically converted into a rotational energy of the pressure generating device (4, 42).

5. The device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

at least one pressure generating unit (4, 42) is a pump device and in particular a pump device which is selected from a group of pump devices which include hydraulic pumps, sinus pumps, axial piston pumps, bellows pumps, diaphragm pumps, scroll pumps, rotary piston pumps, eccentric screw pumps, screw conveyors , Impeller pumps, chain pumps, ring pumps, peristaltic pumps, screw pumps, shaking pumps, toothed belt pumps and the like.

6. The device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the filling device (12) has a closing element which blocks the inflow of the liquid into the container in at least one position and permits this inflow in at least one position.

7. The device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the energy converter device (20, 20a, b, c, 64, 72, 74, 82) has a generator device which arranges the rotational energy of the carrier (62) and / or the drive device (18) and / or another stationary device Converts drive device into electrical energy, which is at least partially usable for operating the pressure generating device.

8. The device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the energy converter device (20, 20a, b, c, 64, 72, 74, 82) is a gear device which converts a rotational movement of the carrier (62) and / or the drive device (18) and / or a further stationary drive device into a rotational movement of at least one element of the pressure generating device.

9. A method for expanding plastic preforms (10) to plastic containers by means of a liquid medium, at least one forming station (2) filling and expanding the plastic preforms with the liquid medium and at least one feed device (6) for the forming station (2) the liquid medium feeds, the forming station by means of a filling device (12) fills the liquid medium into the plastic preforms (10), and the device by means of a pressure generating device (4) feeds the liquid medium to the forming station (2), the forming station (2) is arranged on a rotatable carrier (62) and moves at least temporarily during the expansion along an essentially circular transport path and a drive device (18) drives this carrier for rotation

characterized in that

an energy converter device (20, 20a, b, c, 64, 72, 74, 82) a rotational energy of the carrier (62) and / or the drive device (18) and / or a further stationary drive device into a drive energy for operating the

Pressure generating device converts.

10. The method according to claim 9,

characterized in that

the energy converter device (20, 20a, b, c, 64, 72, 74, 82) the rotational energy of the

Carrier (62) and / or the drive device (18) and / or a further stationary drive device converts directly in a rotational movement of at least one element of the pressure generating device and / or the energy converter device (20) converts the rotational energy of the carrier (62) and / or converts the drive device (18) and / or another stationary drive device into electrical energy and this electrical energy is used at least partially to operate the pressure generating device.