METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCEING A CONTAINER FROM A THERMOPLASTIC PREFORM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a device according to the preamble of patent claim 9. Preferably, it is a method and a device for producing bottles by blow molding, i.e. with the aid of a gaseous fluid or a liquid filling material.

[0002] The production of containers by blow molding from preforms made of a thermoplastic material, for example from preforms made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), is known from DE 43 40 291 A1. The thermally conditioned preforms are fed to various processing stations within a blow molding machine. Typically, a blow molding machine has a heating device for tempering or thermally conditioning the preforms, as well as a blow molding device with at least one blow molding station, in the area of ​​which the previously tempered preform is expanded into a container. The expansion takes place with the aid of a compressed gas, which is introduced into the preform to be expanded at a molding pressure. The process is explained in the aforementioned DE 43 40 291 A1. The basic structure of a blow molding station is described in DE 42 12 583 A1.Tempering or thermal conditioning means heating the preform to a temperature suitable for blow molding and, if necessary, imprinting a temperature profile on the preform. Blow molding containers from preforms with the additional use of a stretching rod for stretching the preforms is also known.

[0003] The containers produced by blow molding are typically fed to a downstream filling device, where they are filled with the intended product or contents. A separate blow molding machine and a separate filling machine are used. These can also be combined into a single machine block, with blow molding and filling still taking place on separate machine components and sequentially.

[0004] Also already known is the forming of containers from preforms using the filling material itself, i.e., using the filling material as a hydraulic pressure medium (see DE 10 2010 007 541 A1 and US 7,914,726 B2). Thus, the respective preform is formed into the container simultaneously with the filling process, i.e., through a hydraulic forming process. This forming process can also be supported by the use of a stretching rod.

[0005] It is also known to close filled containers in a subsequent work step. For this purpose, the containers are transferred from the filling device, for example, to a conveyor system after filling is complete and then fed to a closing device. Interlocking the closing device with upstream machines is possible. However, the containers can also be closed on a work wheel for filling, see DE 10 2010 007 541 A1 and WO 2012 / 104019 A1. Both documents disclose providing the filled containers with a closure within the forming and filling station, in which a preform is formed into a container by introducing the filling material under pressure.

[0006] The working wheel with the containers rotates around a vertical axis. The containers are aligned parallel to the axis, meaning the opening is facing upwards. A valve assembly is provided for filling. This valve assembly has a shoulder that sits on the opening and seals it during filling, preventing any liquid from escaping and allowing the required pressure to build up. After filling, the containers are transferred to a discharge conveyor. The shoulder of the valve assembly must first be removed from the container.

[0007] In filled, upright vessels that simultaneously rotate with the working wheel, the position of the fluid level depends on the fill level and the resulting centrifugal force. In practice, this limits the rotational speed of the working wheel. If the vessels are completely filled, a higher rotational speed would result in a more inclined fluid level, which would lead to fluid escaping after the valve assembly is released from the vessel opening.

[0008] Another problem when forming containers by blow molding or hydraulic forming is the secure closure of the molds. Typically, a mold consists of two mold shells, also called mold halves, and a base mold. The mold shells are held together, particularly along an upright plane. The base mold is inserted from below into an opening formed by the mold shells and held in place by a form-fitting manner. The mold shells are connected to one another in a hinged manner in the broadest sense and swing apart to allow the containers to be removed. The force required to hold the mold shells closed is essentially applied via the hinge provided for moving the mold shells. This hinge must be dimensioned accordingly, see, for example, DE 42 12 583 A1. There, the mold shells are mold carriers, each of which holds partial molds referred to as blow mold elements.

[0009] EP 2 944 450 A1 discloses a method and a device according to the preamble of the independent claims.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device that can prevent liquid losses from the filled container on the working wheel. A further object of the invention is to provide a method and a device that enable better mold closure, i.e., during blow molding or when filling with liquid.

[0011] To achieve the object, the method according to the invention has the features of claim 1. A method is provided for producing a container from a thermoplastic preform, wherein the container is produced from the preform with the aid of a fluid either by blow molding and then filled in particular with a liquid fluid or is produced by hydroforming and thereby subsequently contains the liquid fluid intended as content, and wherein the container rotates in an openable mold about a particularly vertical axis of rotation and at a distance from this axis during the blow molding and / or during the reception of the particularly liquid fluid.

[0012] According to the invention, the closed mold is at least temporarily in an inclined position during the process, namely deviating from a vertical position. The angle of inclination of the mold is defined here by the position of the container in space. When the mold is in a vertical position, the container is also aligned vertically, with the opening pointing upwards. The closed mold is temporarily in the inclined position, preferably with an inclination in the direction of the axis of rotation. Adopting a vertical position is not mandatory for the closed mold, nor for the open mold. If the mold is in an inclined position and a liquid is provided as the fluid, the centrifugal forces arising from the rotation around the vertical axis of rotation and acting on the liquid can be compensated.A movement of the mold between an inclined position and another, in particular vertical position, enables the targeted adoption of a position in which the internal pressures occurring during the molding or filling of the container can be absorbed and compensated in the best possible way.

[0013] Preferably, the container is formed in the mold from the preform by the liquid intended as the contents. Forming and filling the container take place in a single operation, namely by the liquid intended as the contents. This remains in the container after the final closure. Alternatively, the fluid used to form the container is a gas, preferably compressed air. Forming and filling the container take place in sequential steps. First, the shape of the container is created in the mold by blow molding. The container is then filled with a liquid.

[0014] In addition, it can be provided that the preform is stretched in a manner known per se by a stretching rod.

[0015] According to the invention, the mold is in a vertical position, at least for container removal. The container can then be removed from the mold using conventional transfer conveyors.

[0016] According to the invention, the mold for inserting the preform is in a vertical position. Known transfer conveyors can then be used to insert the preform.

[0017] According to a further concept of the invention, the closed mold is in the inclined position at least at the end of the fluid filling process, in particular during the entire filling process. This results in the position of the mold being aligned with the unit intended for filling the container. For opening, the mold is in particular in the vertical position, in particular for removing the respective container.

[0018] According to the invention, the closed mold, in the inclined position, is positioned with its upper side closer to the axis of rotation than its lower side. This allows for the best possible compensation of the centrifugal forces acting on the fluid.

[0019] According to a further aspect of the invention, the inclination of the closed mold, in particular in the direction of the axis of rotation, has one of the following conditions: a) 15° to 45° deviation from the vertical position, b) 25° to 35° deviation from the vertical position, c) 30° deviation from the vertical position.

[0020] The specified inclinations can apply to the closed mold permanently, predominantly or temporarily and, with appropriate alignment, enable a good compensation of the centrifugal forces acting on the liquid in modern filling devices.

[0021] According to a further concept of the invention, the closed mold is moved into a position secured against opening due to internal pressure before the fluid is supplied. After the container has been formed, the closed mold is moved from the position secured against opening due to internal pressure to a position in which the mold is then opened.

[0022] According to a further concept of the invention, the closed mold is secured in at least one of its positions against opening caused by internal pressure, namely by being held between at least two rigidly connected thrust bearings. The thrust bearings hold the mold closed, namely by applying pressure to opposite sides of the mold, in particular to the mold shells or mold halves. In a conventional manner, the mold can have a base part, which is held in a form-fitting manner, in particular by the mold shells, when the mold is closed.

[0023] According to a further concept of the invention, the closed mold is secured against opening caused by internal pressure by two rigidly connected thrust bearings in an upper region and by two further rigidly connected thrust bearings in a lower region. The resulting forces are thus evenly absorbed and compensated.

[0024] According to a further concept of the invention, the container is closed by a lid before the mold is opened, particularly in an inclined position. After the lid is placed on the container, the container can be manipulated as desired without the fluid escaping. A device in which the container is closed immediately after filling is known per se, for example, from DE 10 2010 007 541 A1.

[0025] According to a further concept of the invention, a base part of the mold is moved by a holding member toward the rest of the mold and back again. The base part is coupled to the holding member. Before the closed mold is tilted, the base part is decoupled from the holding member. In the tilted position, the holding member and base part are decoupled; in the vertical position of the mold, they are temporarily or predominantly coupled.

[0026] According to a further aspect of the invention, the container is secured in the opened mold until removal by securing elements located on a neck or closure of the container, particularly in conjunction with a base mold. The securing elements prevent the container from being forced out of the opened mold due to the resulting centrifugal forces.

[0027] According to a further idea of ​​the invention, the container in the opened mold is secured against movement relative to the mold in the circumferential direction, against the circumferential direction and / or radially outward until removal.

[0028] According to a further concept of the invention, the container has a neck with a support ring at the top, and the container is removed from the opened mold by gripping it in an area between the support ring and a center of gravity of the container, in particular directly below the support ring. By gripping it under the support ring, the latter counteracts the weight of the container in a form-fitting manner. Gripping the container closer to the center of gravity reduces a tipping moment occurring during handling. This allows even heavier containers to be safely gripped and removed.

[0029] The device provided to achieve the object can also have the features of claim 15. The device for producing containers from thermoplastic preforms is provided with a working wheel rotating about a, in particular, vertical axis of rotation, on which stations with molds for receiving and, in particular, for molding the containers are provided in succession in the circumferential direction and rotate with the working wheel, wherein preferably each station is assigned a valve unit for supplying a fluid, in particular under pressure, and the molds are openable for removing the containers. The closed molds are located in an inclined position, namely deviating from a vertical position, at least along a partial section of the rotation about the axis of rotation. The closed molds are thus inclinable in their stations.

[0030] According to a further concept of the invention, the molds in the stations can each be mounted so as to be tiltable about an axis of inclination, wherein the axis of inclination runs close to a center of mass of the respective mold such that a mass distribution of the mold on either side of the axis of inclination is no more unequal than 1 / 3 to 2 / 3. Preferably, the axis of inclination runs through the center of mass of the mold so that no torque due to unequal mass distribution is effective in any position of the mold. In particular, the empty mold is used to calculate the center of mass. The mold itself is relatively heavy. A container located in the mold, with or without liquid, has only a minor effect on the position of the center of mass.

[0031] According to a further aspect of the invention, a drive for tilting the molds can be provided, in particular a cam control or a motor drive. The cam control can comprise a cam with mechanical power transmission, for example, via a sequence of cam roller, rack, and gear. Alternatively, a motor drive, such as an electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic drive, can be provided, also coupled in each case with a mechanical power transmission.

[0032] According to a further concept of the invention, mold shells of the molds can be mounted on mold holders, wherein the mold holders or mold shells have tilt bearings with tilt axes for this purpose, and wherein the tilt bearings are detachable in the axial direction. By releasing the tilt bearings, the mold shells can be separated from the mold holders and replaced. For this purpose, suitable quick-release fasteners can be provided on the tilt bearing, on the mold shell, or on the mold holder.

[0033] According to a further aspect of the invention, the mold shells of the molds can be mounted on mold holders, wherein the mold holders or mold shells have tilt bearings with tilt axes for this purpose, and wherein the tilt bearings are plain bearings, in particular plastic plain bearings. The plain bearings are preferably preloaded to minimize play. The plain bearings are also preferably resistant to water and cleaning agents.

[0034] According to a further concept of the invention, the molds in the stations are mounted so that they can be tilted, in particular with an inclination axis running tangentially to the circumferential direction or preferably along a movement path that defines a movement plane perpendicular to a tangent to the circumferential direction. In particular, only the closed molds are tiltable.

[0035] According to a further concept of the invention, mold shells of the molds are mounted on mold holders, with each mold holder supporting a mold shell. The mold holders assigned to a mold are movable with the mold shells apart to open the mold and relative to each other to close the mold, in particular with an upright parting plane between the mold shells. The parting plane preferably extends radially relative to the axis of rotation of the working wheel and along the axis of rotation. In addition to the mold shells, a base mold known per se can be provided.

[0036] According to a further concept of the invention, mold shells of the molds can be mounted directly and immediately on mold holders, namely without any intervening mold receptacles or mold clamps. The arrangement of the mold shells between mold receptacles is generally known, but should preferably be avoided here. Mold clamps for holding the mold shells in the closed position are also known. If present, they should not be provided between the mold shells and mold holders here.

[0037] According to a further concept of the invention, the mold shells on the mold holders are tiltable, in particular, about an inclination axis, with the mold holders or mold shells having tilt bearings for this purpose. Thus, the two mold shells of a mold each have their own inclination axis. When the mold is closed, the two inclination axes advantageously run coaxially with each other.

[0038] A device that enables particularly effective mold locking has the following features. The device for producing containers from thermoplastic preforms is provided with a working wheel rotating about a, in particular, vertical axis of rotation. Stations with molds for receiving and, in particular, for molding the containers are arranged in succession in the circumferential direction and rotate with the working wheel. Preferably, each station is assigned a valve unit for supplying a fluid, in particular a pressurized fluid, and the molds are openable for removing the containers.Thrust bearings are provided to secure the closed molds against opening due to internal pressure. The thrust bearings and molds are movable relative to each other between a pressure-absorbing position in which the thrust bearings apply external pressure to the closed molds, particularly on opposite sides of the molds, and another position in which the thrust bearings do not apply pressure to the molds. In particular, the molds are movable between the preferably stationary thrust bearings and back again.

[0039] According to a further aspect, the molds in the stations can each be mounted so as to be tiltable about an axis of inclination, wherein the axis of inclination runs close to a center of force of the forces generated by the thrust bearings when the respective closed mold is acted upon, such that the force distribution on either side of the axis of inclination is no more unequal than 1 / 3 to 2 / 3. Preferably, the axis of inclination runs through the center of force. With two thrust bearings for each mold shell and the same forces in each bearing, the center of force is exactly midway between the two thrust bearings. If the axis of inclination runs outside the center of force, higher forces result on one side of the axis of inclination than on the other side. In particular, this unequal distribution should not be greater than 1 / 3 to 2 / 3.

[0040] According to a further aspect, the molds in the stations can each be mounted so as to be tiltable about an inclination axis, wherein the inclination axis runs between the thrust bearings of each mold shell such that the distance of the inclination axis to the nearest thrust bearing is at most half as large as to the farthest thrust bearing. Preferably, the inclination axis runs centrally between the thrust bearings.

[0041] According to a further aspect, the thrust bearings can have a centering function such that the closed molds are centered by the thrust bearings in the pressure-absorbing position. This centering function forces the mold shells or the molds into defined positions, in particular relative to the valve unit or the working wheel.

[0042] According to a further aspect, the thrust bearings include driven, movable rams for engagement with the mold, in particular hydraulic rams. The rams can be used to apply maximum pressure to hold the mold shells closed.

[0043] According to a further aspect, opposing thrust bearings of a station are coupled to each other in a force-locking and form-locking manner, in particular mounted on a common bearing bracket, which forms a bearing gap for accommodating the respective mold. Advantageously, the bearing bracket is U-shaped with a bearing gap between the bracket legs and thrust bearings on the inside of the bracket legs. The pressure-absorbing position is located in the bearing gap.

[0044] According to a further aspect, opposing thrust bearings are provided for an upper region of the respective mold, in particular with a bearing bracket which has a bearing gap which is open radially outwards.

[0045] According to a further aspect, opposing thrust bearings are provided for a lower region of the respective mold, in particular with a bearing bracket which has a bearing gap which is open radially inward.

[0046] According to a further aspect, the bracket legs of the storage bracket are directed obliquely upwards, so that a bracket base connecting the bracket legs lies below a level of a container bottom. With the storage bracket stationary and the vertical mold open, the containers can be removed in the radial direction without the storage bracket getting in the way.

[0047] According to a further idea of ​​the invention, each station has securing elements for securing the position of a container in the opened form.

[0048] According to a further concept of the invention, stationary safety holders are provided as securing elements, which secure the containers against movements in the circumferential direction and which are preferably effective in the region of a container head. The securing elements act on the neck, the lid, the closure, or directly below an upper opening of the respective container and are, in particular, immovable.

[0049] According to a further aspect of the invention, the safety holders extend outwardly, preferably as resilient arms, from an upper support bracket or a radially inner station base toward the container head or neck. The arms are preferably firmly connected, at least indirectly, to the support bracket or station base.

[0050] According to a further concept of the invention, the container is secured by the securing elements as soon as the mold is in a vertical position. During the movement to the vertical position, the container head pivots between the securing elements.

[0051] According to a further concept of the invention, a particularly stationary securing bar is provided as the securing element, which secures the containers against radial outward movements and is preferably effective in the region of the container heads. The securing bar acts on the neck, the lid, the closure, or directly below an upper opening of the respective container.

[0052] According to a further aspect of the invention, a base mold and a holding member for the base mold that can be connected to the base mold from below are provided, wherein the holding member can be decoupled from the base mold when the mold is closed. By decoupled, the holding member does not have to follow the inclination of the mold.

[0053] According to a further concept of the invention, the holding element and the base mold can be connected via locking elements that can be operated manually and without tools. The locking elements preferably comprise spring-loaded levers that engage in notches. The spring-loaded levers prevent the holding element and base mold from separating. Manual actuation of the levers against the spring pressure should be possible to separate the holding element and base mold.

[0054] According to a further concept of the invention, the holding member and the base mold can be connected via locking members, whereby the locking members simultaneously form an overload protection for the connection between the holding member and the base mold. The locking members preferably act through force or friction, which can be overcome non-destructively by a counterforce. The counterforce can arise, for example, from a malfunction of the device, such as when the holding member attempts to move the base mold downward without the base mold having been separated from the mold shells beforehand. In this case in particular, the locking members should allow separation of the holding member and the base mold.

[0055] According to a further concept of the invention, the holding element and the base mold can be connected via locking elements. Parts of the mold above the base mold, in particular mold shells, have release elements that act upon the locking elements to release them when the mold is closed. By releasing the locking elements, the holding element and the base mold can be decoupled.

[0056] According to a further aspect of the invention, cams are provided for controlling the movement of the molds from the inclined position to another position and back again. The other position is preferably the vertical position.

[0057] According to a further concept of the invention, cams are provided to control the movement of the holding members for the base mold. The holding members are moved up and down by the cams.

[0058] According to a further aspect of the invention, the valve assemblies are aligned along filling axes, wherein the filling axes are directed obliquely, namely non-parallel to the rotational axis, in particular with an inclination toward a part of the rotational axis located above the working wheel. The filling axes of the valve assemblies preferably form a conical shape.

[0059] According to a further aspect of the invention, the device comprises units for closing the containers in the station. Each station includes a unit, in particular for applying a lid, combined with a valve unit.

[0060] According to a further aspect of the invention, the molds can have mold shells provided with recessed grips or handles. This facilitates handling of the mold shells when replacing them.

[0061] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description and the claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a top view of a device for producing containers from thermoplastic preforms, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the device according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a further perspective view of the device according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 4 an enlarged section of the illustration according to Fig. 2 , Fig. 5 an enlarged section of the illustration according to Fig. 4 , Fig. 6 a side view (in the circumferential direction of a working wheel) of a closed inclined mold between thrust bearings, Fig. 7 a sectional view of the mold between thrust bearings according to Fig. 6 along the line AA, namely as a view perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the working wheel Fig. 8 a view of the form between the thrust bearings according to Fig. 6 , but in the direction according to Fig. 7 , Fig. 9a shape with thrust bearings in longitudinal section, similar Fig. 7 , Fig. 10 a closed inclined form with thrust bearings and drive devices for adjustment in perspective view, Fig. 11 the inclined form according to Fig. 10 in a further perspective view, Fig. 12 the mold with thrust bearings and drives for adjustment, namely upright and closed, in perspective view, Fig. 13 the mold according to Fig. 12 in a further perspective view, Fig. 14 the mold with thrust bearings and drives for adjustment, namely open and with raised bottom, in perspective view, Fig. 15 the mold according to Fig. 14 in a further perspective view, Fig. 16 the mold with thrust bearings and drives for adjustment, namely open and with lowered bottom, in perspective view, Fig. 17 the mold according to Fig. 16in a further perspective view, Fig. 18 the closed, inclined form with gear elements for adjusting the inclination in perspective view, Fig. 19 the form according to Fig. 18 , but vertical, Fig. 20 a modification of the device according to Fig. 1 , namely with molds permanently inclined on the working wheel and an inclined transfer conveyor.

[0062] According to Fig. 1 A molding and filling device 32 is provided as a device for producing containers 30 from thermoplastic preforms 31. The preforms 31 are transferred along a conveyor line 33 to a separating unit 34 and from there to a rotating heating track 35. A first transfer conveyor 36 grips the individual preforms 31 using telescopic and pivoting gripper arms 37, which rotate around a vertical axis and transfer the preforms 31 from the heating track 35 to the molding and filling device 32.

[0063] The molding and filling device 32 has a rotating working wheel 38 with stations S1, S2, S3 ... to S12 arranged thereon. Each of the rotating stations S1 to S12 has a mold 39 for producing a container 30 from a preform 31. The finished containers are removed from the molds 39 and conveyed away by a second transfer conveyor 40. The second transfer conveyor 40 is equipped with rotating, telescopic, and pivoting gripper arms 41, similar to the first transfer conveyor 36.

[0064] Relative to the working wheel 38 rotating on a machine frame 42, the two transfer conveyors 36, 40 are spaced apart by approximately 60°. Thus, the handling of the preforms 31 and containers 30 on the working wheel 38 takes place along a path corresponding to a rotation angle of approximately 300°.

[0065] The molds 39 are mounted in the stations S1 to S12 so as to be tiltable about inclination axes N (provided the molds 39 are closed), namely in tilt bearings 43 which are arranged on mold holders 44, see in particular Fig. 5 . The inclination axes N of the inclination bearings 43 are in Figs. 7 and 8 visible.

[0066] The molds 38 essentially consist of three movable mold parts, namely two upright mold shells 45, 46 and a base mold 47. In the present example, the mold 39 is intended for the production of a PET bottle as the container 30. The two mold shells 45, 46 are essentially symmetrical, each with an inner contour corresponding to the outer contour of the bottle to be produced. The mold shells 45, 46 are adjacent to one another along a vertical parting plane 48 that is directed radially with respect to the working wheel 38, see Figs. 7 and 8 .

[0067] In an embodiment not shown, the mold shells each have inserts whose inner contour corresponds to the outer contour of the bottle to be produced and which can be quickly replaced.

[0068] The molds 39 are opened by pivoting the mold holders 44 about a vertical pivot axis and by lowering the base mold 47.

[0069] In the Fig. 6 to 11 The shapes 39 are shown closed and inclined. For simplicity, the shape 39 is shown in Fig. 6 shown upright. The actual inclination of the form 39 is determined by comparison with a line 49 drawn there inclined but actually vertical. The form 39 is with its upper part in the direction of a rotation axis 50 ( Fig. 3) of the working wheel 38, i.e., toward the center of the working wheel, preferably at an angle of approximately 30°. Angles deviating from this may also be advantageous, depending on the centrifugal forces occurring during production and the associated changes in the position of the liquid level in the containers 30.

[0070] Molds 39 and containers 30 or preforms 31 are aligned identically to each other. This means that if mold 39 is vertical, i.e., not tilted, container 30 or preform 31 is also vertical. The orientation of containers 30 is relevant.

[0071] The closed form 39 is in its inclined position ( Fig. 6 to 11) protected against internal pressure by externally acting thrust bearings 51, 52, 53, 54. Upper thrust bearings 51, 52 act on opposite outer sides of an upper part of the mold 39, so that a thrust bearing 51, 52 acts on each mold shell 45, 46 in the upper area. Analogously, the lower thrust bearings 53, 54 are effective in the lower area of ​​the mold 39 and on opposite sides thereof, see in particular Fig. 7 to 9 .

[0072] Each thrust bearing 51 to 54 has a hydraulic tappet 55 which presses a centering tip 56 into a corresponding centering recess 57 in the respective mold shell 45, 46.

[0073] The upper thrust bearings 51, 52 are arranged on legs 58, 59 of an upper bearing bracket 60, which forms a bearing gap between its legs 58, 59. The lower thrust bearings 53, 54 are arranged on legs 61, 62 of a lower bearing bracket 63, which also forms a bearing gap. The inclined reservoir 39 is located in the two bearing gaps. To supply the hydraulic tappets 55, the bearing brackets 60, 63 have channels 64 for hydraulic fluid.

[0074] The opening, closing, and tilting of the molds 39 are coordinated in terms of timing and control. The preforms 31 are transferred into the vertical, open mold 39, see station S2 in Fig. 1 By closing the mold 39, the preforms 31 are gripped at a container neck 65. In this case, a support ring 66 of the container neck 65 comes to rest on an upper side of the mold 39, see Fig. 7 . The closed mold 39 is then tilted, see station S1 in Fig. 1 , so that the mold 39 and the container neck 65 are coaxially aligned with a valve unit 67 provided in each station S1 to S12. The valve units 67 are directed towards the center of the working wheel 38, i.e. in the direction of the Fig. 3 shown rotation axis 50 inclined, preferably by about 30 degrees.

[0075] In an area between stations S1 to S6 in Fig. 1 The preforms 31 are filled with the high-pressure liquid intended as the container contents, so that the containers 30 are simultaneously formed. The molds 39 are inclined and secured against opening by the thrust bearings 51 to 54.

[0076] Approximately in an area between the stations S7, S6, the forms 39 are moved back from the inclined position to a vertical position, see in particular Fig. 5 , and then opened by pivoting apart the two mold shells 45, 46, see especially station S5 in Fig. 5. The containers are then gripped by the gripping arms 41 under the support ring 66 and the base mold 47 is lowered, see station S4 in Fig. 5 .

[0077] The inclination of the molds 39 in each of the stations S1 to S12 as well as the lowering of the base molds 47 is controlled by the interaction of control cams 68, 69 with control rollers 70, 71. The control rollers 70 are held one above the other with a gap between them on a control roller carrier 72, as are the control rollers 71 on a control roller carrier 73. The gaps between the two control rollers 70 and between the two control rollers 71 are dimensioned such that the control cam 68 and the control cam 69 fit between them and a nearly play-free guidance of the control roller carriers 72, 73 by the control cams 68, 69 is possible.

[0078] The control roller supports 72, 73 are movable up and down on guide elements 74, namely guide rods. The guide elements 74 are fixedly arranged at the stations S1 to S12 and rotate with them.

[0079] The rear (radially inner) control roller carrier 72, in which Fig. 10 to 19 drawn on the right, controls the inclination of the form 39 and is connected to a rack 75 at the top, see Figs. 18, 19 Correspondingly, the mold 39 has a toothed segment radially inside. Specifically, there are two gear segments 76, 77, namely one gear segment per mold shell 45, 46, see Fig. 18 . When the control roller carrier 72 is moved upwards, the form 39 is vertical ( Fig. 19 ), when the control roller carrier 72 is moved downwards, the form 39 is inclined ( Fig. 18 ).

[0080] The radially outer control roller carrier 73 is connected to a holding member 78 for the base mold 47. Notches 79 ( Fig. 11) for the entry of clamping members 80. The clamping members 80 are here two-armed levers on the underside of the base mold 47 and are spring-loaded to engage the notches 79 (not shown).

[0081] On the undersides of the mold shells 45, 46, downward-directed pins are arranged as pressure elements 81, which act on one end of the two-armed clamping elements 80 when the mold shells 45, 46 are closed, thus releasing the connection between the clamping elements 80 and the notches 79. In this sense, the pressure elements 81 are release elements for the clamping elements 80, which act as locking elements and interact with the notches 79. The release elements are assigned to the mold shells 45, 46, and the locking elements to the base mold 47. Only the notches 79 are connected to the control roller carrier 73 as features of the holding element 78.

[0082] The opening and closing of the mold shells 45, 46 can be controlled by drives not shown, in particular depending on the current angle of rotation of the respective station S1 to S12 on the working wheel 38 relative to the machine frame 42. The mold holders 44 of both mold shells 45, 46 can be pivoted about a common vertical axis 82, see in particular Fig. 11 . The corresponding pivot bearings 83 are also shown there.

[0083] From the Fig. 4 and 5 The movement of the molds 39 until the containers 30 are removed is visible. The filling process is completed in the area of ​​station S7. The mold 39 is still in an inclined position between the support brackets 60, 63.

[0084] Mold 39 at station S6 has already been pivoted into the vertical position but is still closed. The mold shells 45 and 46 are no longer subjected to pressure by the thrust bearings 51 to 54.

[0085] The mold in station S5 is open, i.e. the mold shells 45, 46 are moved apart, while the bottom mold 47 is still in its upper position.

[0086] Station S4 is located directly opposite the second transfer conveyor 40. One of the gripper arms 41 is currently gripping the container 30 below the support ring 66, so that the container is also held vertically. Accordingly, the base mold 47 has already been lowered.

[0087] In the final area before the containers 30 are removed from the opened molds, the containers 30 are specially secured against movement in the circumferential direction of the working wheel 38, in the radial direction, and in the vertical direction. A downward movement of the containers 30 is prevented by the bottom molds 47, which are still in their upper position.

[0088] Movements in the circumferential direction are prevented by specially provided safety holders 84. As safety holders 84, each station S1 to S12 has two particularly resilient arms that extend from the upper bearing bracket 60 or from a station base in the direction of a container neck or container closure 85, namely on both sides thereof, so that the container 30 is supported in this area in the circumferential direction and against the circumferential direction. Free ends of the arms can be curved and thus extend partially or a short distance around the closure 85, see in particular the design of the safety holders 84 in Figs. 10, 11 .

[0089] Since the arms (safety holders 84) are fixed at the respective stations S1 to S12, the described safety feature only occurs in the vertical position of the molds 39 (with the containers 30). In the inclined position of the molds 39, the safety holders 84 are ineffective, or the upper part of the mold 39 is then not located between the safety holders 84, see in particular station S7 in the Fig. 4 , 5 .

[0090] A further securing element is a securing bar 86, which is stationary on the machine frame 42 and supports the container neck or closure 85 in the radial (outward) direction. The securing bar 86 extends here over a rotation angle of slightly more than two stations, corresponding to slightly more than 60°. In the area of ​​station S4, the securing bar 86 is slightly bent radially outward and then ends, adapted to the kinematics of the gripper arms 41.

[0091] In the Fig. 1 to 3The securing bar 86 is shown approximately 30° shorter, thus beginning later in the direction of rotation. The specific course of the securing bar 86 depends on the time at which the mold 39 opens. As soon as the mold 39 begins to open, the container 30 should be supported in the radial direction.

[0092] Units (not shown) for closing the containers within stations S1 to S12 can be integrated into the valve units 67. This can also involve a provisional or incomplete closure. At least a preliminary closure before removing the containers from the molds is advantageous.

[0093] Fig. 20shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment. As previously shown, individual stations are arranged on a working wheel. Unlike before, the molds in the stations are not tiltable, but are located exclusively in a position inclined relative to the vertical. The angle is, for example, 30°. Accordingly, the finished containers 30 must be removed from the molds 39 in an inclined position. The goal is to convey the containers 30 away in a vertical position, as in Fig. 20 shown on the left. To enable this, a transfer conveyor 87, which corresponds functionally to the second transfer conveyor 40, is arranged with an inclined axis of rotation 88, the inclination of which is half the inclination of the containers 30 in the molds 39. Accordingly, gripping arms 89 are angled downward relative to a plane of rotation of the transfer conveyor 87, such that the gripping arm 89 is aligned horizontally when the containers 30 are delivered to a discharge conveyor.

[0094] The device illustrated in the figures enables, in particular, the molding of containers from preforms while simultaneously filling them (hydroforming) at high rotational speed of the working wheel, while avoiding fluid losses due to centrifugal force. At the same time, the mold shells 45, 46 are securely held together by the described thrust bearings 51 to 54. The bearings involved in the movement of the mold shells are not subjected to any load. Rather, the internal pressure acting on the two mold shells 45, 46 during the molding of the containers is introduced into the rigidly connected thrust bearings and compensated there. In the present case, opposing thrust bearings are even held by a rigid common component, namely the bearing brackets 60, 63. List of reference symbols

[0095] 62 leg 30 container 63 lower bearing bracket 31 Preforms 64 Hydraulic channels 32 Forming and filling device 65 Container neck 33 Conveyor line 66 Support ring 34 Separation unit 67 Valve units 35 Heating track 68 inner control curve 36 first transfer conveyor 69 outer control curve 37 Gripper arms 70 Control rolls 38 Work wheel 71 Control rolls 39 Forms 72 Control roller carrier 40 second transfer conveyor 73 Control roller carrier 41 Gripper arms 74 Management bodies 42 Machine frame 75 rack 43 Tilt bearing 76 Gear segments 44 mold holder 77 Gear segments 45 mold shells 78 Holding organs 46 mold shells 79 notches 47 Soil shapes 80 clamping organs 48 Parting line 81 Pressure organs 49 vertical line 82 Swivel axis 50 axis of rotation 83 swivel bearing 51 thrust bearing 84 Safety holder 52 thrust bearing 85 closure 53 thrust bearing 86 Safety plank 54 thrust bearing 87 Transfer conveyor 55 hydraulic tappet 88 axis of rotation 56 Centering tips 89 Gripper arms 57 Centering recesses 58 leg N Tilt axis 59 leg 60 upper bearing bracket 61 leg

Claims

1. Method for preparing a container (30) from a thermoplastic preform (31), wherein the container (30) deriving from the preform (31) is produced by means of a fluid either by blow moulding and subsequently filled, in particular, with a liquid fluid or is produced by hydroforming and thereby subsequently contains the liquid fluid provided as contents, and wherein the container (30) revolves around a vertical rotational axis (50) and at a distance from it during blow moulding and / or during the reception of the liquid, in particular, liquid fluid in an openable mould (39), wherein the closed mould (39) is at least temporarily in an inclined position, i.e., deviating from a perpendicular position, wherein the mould (39) for inserting the preform (31) is in a perpendicular position, and wherein the closed mould (39) is at least temporarily in the inclined position, characterized in that the mould (39) is also in a perpendicular position, at least for the removal of the container (30).

2. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the closed mould (39) is in the inclined position during the entire time it is being filled with the fluid.

3. The method according to Claim 1 or any one of the further claims, characterized in that the closed mould (39) in the inclined position is closer to the rotational axis (50) with its upper side than with its underside, in particular, wherein the inclination of the closed mould (39), in particular, in the direction of the rotational axis (50), comprises one of the following conditions: a) 15° to 45° deviation from the perpendicular position, b) 25° to 35° deviation from the perpendicular position, c) 30° deviation from the perpendicular position.

4. The method according to Claim 1 or any one of the further claims, characterized in that the closed mould (39) is moved to a position secured against opening caused by internal pressure before the fluid is supplied, in particular, wherein the closed mould (39) is secured in at least one of its positions against opening caused by internal pressure, namely by staying between at least two rigidly connected thrust bearings (51, 52; 53, 54), in particular, wherein the closed mould (39) is secured in an upper area by two rigidly connected thrust bearings (51, 52) and in a lower area by two further rigidly connected thrust bearings (53, 54) against opening caused by internal pressure.

5. The method according to Claim 1 or any one of the further claims, characterized in that the container (30) is sealed by a lid (85) before opening the mould (39), in particular, in an inclined position.

6. The method according to Claim 1 or any one of the further claims, characterized in that a bottom part (47) of the mould (39) is moved by a holding element (78) against the mould (39) in the rest and back again, and is thereby coupled with the holding element (78), and that the bottom part (47) is decoupled from the holding element (78) before tilting the closed mould (39).

7. The method according to Claim 1 or any one of the further claims, characterized in that the container (30) in the opened mould (39) is secured until removal by securing devices (84, 86) attached to a neck (65) or a closure (85) of the container (30), in particular, in connection with a securing device by a mould base (47), in particular, wherein the container (30) in the opened mould (39) is secured in the circumferential direction until it is removed against movement relative to the mould (39), is secured against the circumferential direction and / or radially outwards.

8. The method according to claim 1 or any one of the further claims, characterized in that the container (30) has a neck (65) with support ring (66) at the top, and that the container (30) is removed from the opened mould (39) by grasping it in a region between the support ring (66) and a centre of gravity of the container (30), in particular, immediately below the support ring (66).

9. A device for the manufacturing containers (30) from thermoplastic preforms (31), comprising a working wheel (38) rotating about a vertical rotational axis (50), on which stations (S1 ... S 12) with moulds (39) are provided for receiving and, in particular, for moulding the containers (30) and circulate in the circumferential direction with the working wheel (38), wherein, preferably, a valve unit (67) is assigned to each station (S1 ... S12) for the supply of a fluid, in particular, under pressure, and the moulds (39) can be opened for the removal of the containers (30), wherein the closed moulds (39) are in an inclined position at least along a partial section of the circulation around the rotational axis (50), namely deviating from a perpendicular position, wherein the moulds (39) for inserting the preform (31) are in a perpendicular position, and wherein the valve units (67) are aligned along filling axes and that the filling axes are oblique, i.e., not parallel to the rotational axis (50), and wherein the closed moulds (39) are at least at the end of filling with the fluid in the inclined position, characterized in that the moulds (39) are also in a perpendicular position, at least for the removal of the container (30).

10. The device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the moulds (39) in the stations (S1 ... S12) are each tiltable around an axis of inclination (N), wherein the axis of inclination (N) runs close to a centre of mass of the respective mould (39), in such a way that a mass distribution of the mould on both sides of the axis of inclination (N) is not more unequal than 1 / 3 to 2 / 3.

11. The device according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized by a drive for tilting the moulds (39), in particular, a curve control or a motorized drive.

12. The device according to Claim 9 or any one of the further claims, characterized in that mould shells (45, 46) of moulds (39) are supported on mould holders (44), that the mould holders (44) or mould shells (45, 46) comprise inclination bearings (43) with inclination axes (N) for this purpose, and that the inclination bearings (43) are detachable in the axial direction.

13. The device according to Claim 9 or any one of the further claims, characterized in that mould shells (45, 46) of moulds (39) are supported on mould holders (44), that the mould holders (44) or mould shells (45, 46) comprise inclination bearings (43) with inclination axes (N) for this purpose, and that the inclination bearings (43) are plain bearings, in particular, plastic plain bearings.

14. The device according to Claim 9 or any one of the further claims, characterized in that the moulds (39) in the stations (S1 ... S12), in particular, with an axis of inclination tangent to the circumferential direction or preferably along a movement trajectory that defines a plane of motion perpendicular to a tangent of the circumferential direction.

15. The device according to Claim 9 or any one of the further claims, characterized in that mould shells (45, 46) of the moulds (39) are supported on mould holders (44), wherein each mould holder (44) carries a mould shell (45, 46), and wherein the mould holders (44) assigned to a mould (39) are moveable with the mould shells (45, 46) for opening the mould (39) and moveable with relation to each other for closing the mould (39), in particular, with an upright separation plane (48) between the mould shells, in particular, wherein the mould shells (45, 46) on the mould holders (44) can be tilted, in particular, by an axis of inclination (N), and that the mould holders (44) or mould shells (45, 46) have inclination bearings (43) for this purpose.

16. The device according to Claim 9 or any one of the further claims, characterized in that mould shells (45, 46) of moulds (39) are supported directly and immediately on mould holders (44), namely without mould holders or mould pimps arranged in between.

17. The device according to Claim 9 or any one of the further claims, characterized in that each station comprises securing devices (84, 86) for securing the position of a container (30) in an open mould (39), in particular, wherein stationary securing holders (84) which secure the containers (30) against movements in the circumferential direction are provided and which are preferably effective in the area of a container head, in particular, wherein the securing holders (84) extend outwards as arms from an upper bearing bracket (60) or a radially inwards station base towards the container head or neck (65).

18. The device according to Claim 17, characterized in that the container (30) is secured by the securing elements (84, 86) as soon as the mould (39) is in a perpendicular position, wherein, a stationary securing plank (86), in particular, is provided as the securing element, which protects the containers (30) against movements in the radial direction outwards and which is preferably effective in the area of container heads.

19. The device according to Claim 9 or any one of the further claims, characterized by a mould base (47) and a holding element (78) for the mould base (47) which can be connected to the mould base (47) from below, wherein the holding element (78) can be decoupled from the mould base (47) when the mould (39) is closed, in particular, wherein the holding element (78) and the mould base (47) can be operated by means of locking devices (79, 80) that can be operated manually and without tools, in particular, wherein the holding element (78) and the mould base (47) can be connected by means of locking elements (79, 80), wherein the locking devices (79, 80) simultaneously form an overload protection for the connection between the holding element (78) and the mould base (47).

20. The device according to Claim 19, characterized in that the holding element (78) and the mould base (47) are connectable by means of locking devices (79, 80), and that parts of the mould (39) above the mould base (47), in particular, mould shells (45, 46), comprise release devices (81) which, when the mould (39) is closed, apply to the locking devices (79, 80) for release.

21. The device according to Claim 9 or any one of the further claims, characterized by curves (69) for controlling the movement of the moulds (39) from the inclined position to another position and back again.

22. The device according to any one of the Claims 19 to 21, characterized by curves (68) for controlling the movement of the holding elements for the mould base.

23. The device according to Claim 9 or any one of the further claims, characterized in that the filling axes of the valve units (67) are obliquely directed with an inclination against a part of the rotational axis (50) lying above the working wheel (38).

24. The device according to Claim 9 or any one of the further claims, characterized by aggregates for closing the containers (30) in the station, in particular, wherein the moulds (39) have moulded shells (45, 46) which are provided with recessed grips or handles.