Method for cleaning container and lid and corresponding cleaning unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for purifying a series of caps and a series of containers (2) made of plastic material, each container being closed by a cap (6) from the series of caps, the method comprising the following steps: - emitting purifying radiation (15) by means of an emitting device (14), - transporting the series of containers along a transport path to the emitting device (14) by means of a first holding device (13), and - transporting the series of caps along a transport path to the emitting device (14) by means of a second holding device (17); characterised in that, when transporting the series of caps and the series of containers, the second holding device (17) alternates with the first holding device (13) along the transport path in front of the emitting device (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of designing and manufacturing containers made of plastic materials.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a purification unit for a machine for manufacturing containers made of plastic material. Background Art

[0003] In the manufacture of containers made of plastic material, preforms are heated and then blown to achieve their final or nearly final shape. Once the containers have reached their final shape, they are filled and capped before being packaged or palletized and shipped to distributors.

[0004] Before filling and capping, the containers are subjected to a purification treatment in order to eliminate all or part of the microorganisms present in the bottle, in particular during the blowing process, and in order that the contents of the container are not deteriorated after filling, in particular as regards its organoleptic qualities.

[0005] For this purpose, the container, once it has been brought into its final shape, passes through a purification device in which it is purified, for example by moving in the presence of a purification radiation in the form of an electron beam, in order to eliminate all or part of the microorganisms.

[0006] At the same time, the caps that may come into contact with the product contained in the container are also purified and pass through a second purification unit at a certain distance from the first purification unit, and are then led to the capping machine so that the caps can be fixed on the containers after bottling.

[0007] In this way, the cap and container are each purified along different paths and then merged to perform the capping step.

[0008] This therefore leads to a high power consumption in machines for manufacturing containers made of plastic material.

[0009] To overcome this problem, a single decontamination unit can be used, in which first the containers are decontaminated and then stored for filling, and then the caps are decontaminated and stored for the capping stage.

[0010] However, this means that the decontaminated containers and caps must be stored in a sterile environment.

[0011] Therefore, it is necessary for the manufacturing machine to provide sterile storage locations and transfer zones for the decontaminated caps and containers to ensure the movement of the caps and bottles from the decontamination unit to their storage location.

[0012] Indeed, if the caps or containers are stored in the open air before use, or during transport in the open air, they may be contaminated again by microorganisms present, for example, in the ambient air. Summary of the invention

[0013] The present invention is particularly intended to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0014] More specifically, the present invention aims at providing a purification device for a manufacturing machine for containers made of plastic material which is of lower cost and smaller size than the units of the prior art.

[0015] The invention also aims at providing a purification unit which allows shortening the manufacturing cycle time of containers made of plastic, from obtaining the containers to sealing them with caps.

[0016] The invention also relates to providing a purification unit which is easy to maintain.

[0017] The present invention achieves these objects, as well as other objects that will appear hereinafter.

[0018] According to one aspect, the invention relates to a method for decontaminating a series of caps and a series of containers made of plastic material, each container being intended to be closed by a cap from the series, the method comprising the following steps:

[0019] - emit purification radiation through the launcher,

[0020] - transporting a series of containers along a transport path to a launching device by means of a first gripping device, and

[0021] - transporting a series of caps along a transport path to a launching device by means of a second holding device;

[0022] In the method, while a series of caps and a series of containers are being transported, the second holding device is located in front of the launching device along the transport path, alternating with the first holding device.

[0023] Advantageously, the container and the cover have an axis about which the container and / or the cover are rotated at least during the step of emitting the cleaning radiation.

[0024] Advantageously, the cleaning radiation comprises an electron beam.

[0025] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a purification unit for implementing the above purification method, comprising.

[0026] - a transmitter for emitting purified radiation;

[0027] - a first transmission device, comprising a first holding device and transmitting the first holding device to the transmitting device;

[0028] - a second transfer device having a second holding device for holding the caps and transferring the caps to the launching device,

[0029] In which, a distance is defined between two adjacent first holding devices, and it is characterized in that one of the second transmission devices is arranged in the distance between two adjacent first transmission devices and has a transmission part, in which the second holding device and the first holding device are alternately located in front of the transmitting device.

[0030] According to a variant, the invention also relates to a purification unit for a manufacturing machine for containers made of plastic material intended to be closed with caps, comprising:

[0031] - devices for purifying radiation emission;

[0032] - first transfer means having first holding means for holding the container at the neck and transferring it towards the launching means;

[0033] Characterized in that the purification unit also includes a second conveying device having a second holding device for holding the cover and conveying it to the launching device,

[0034] A spacing is determined between two adjacent first holding devices, and the second transmission device is arranged relative to the first transmission device and has a transmission section, wherein the second holding devices alternate with the first holding devices in front of the transmitting device.

[0035] As a result, the dimensions of the container manufacturing machine are reduced and, in particular, the power consumption is reduced.

[0036] Furthermore, such a purification unit allows limiting the amount of purification radiation that is not used, in particular between the necks of the containers, since the cover is inserted between the containers. Thus, part of the purification radiation that is initially lost is used here.

[0037] Advantageously, the first holding device and the second holding device are located in the same plane.

[0038] For example, this allows maintaining the size of the purification unit while increasing its ability to simultaneously purify the cover and container.

[0039] Preferably, the purification device comprises:

[0040] - an input carousel communicating with the first container supply line and with the second cap supply line;

[0041] - a processing carousel fed by an input carousel;

[0042] - a discharge carousel fed by the processing carousel,

[0043] The input carousel, the processing carousel and the discharge carousel each carry a first transport device and a second transport device.

[0044] This configuration of the purification unit allows to facilitate the transmission of containers and lids. In fact, there is no need to increase the number of turntables, because the same turntable can transmit lids and containers at the same time.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the holding device comprises a rotary drive device for driving the containers and the lids on the processing carousel to rotate.

[0046] A drive mechanism that rotates the container and cover on a processing turntable allows the entire surface of the body and cover to be processed by the decontamination radiation when exposed.

[0047] The cover and container rotate and are therefore fully exposed to the purification radiation, thus obtaining complete purification.

[0048] In this case, the drive device advantageously comprises:

[0049] - a buffer, intended to come into contact with the container and the cover, for driving the container and the cover in rotation by friction;

[0050] - Motor means for rotating the buffer.

[0051] Driving the cap and container by contact with the buffer allows to avoid damaging the cap and container when they rotate. In fact, systems containing clamps can leave indentations on the cap and container.

[0052] Preferably, the buffer is movable between the following positions:

[0053] a use position in which the buffer is in contact with the container or the cover;

[0054] a rest position in which the buffer is separated from the container or the cover,

[0055] Each bumper is positioned in the use position or rest position of the base by a cam track and rollers integral with the bumper.

[0056] The actuation of the buffer between its use position and its rest position is therefore mechanically controlled, so that no specific energy-consuming control takes place.

[0057] Additionally, mechanical control of the damper's movement provides a long service life and a lower risk of wear.

[0058] Advantageously, the first holding means comprise supporting means for supporting the container on the handling carousel.

[0059] These bases allow increasing the stability of the container in the purification unit.

[0060] According to a preferred embodiment, the supporting means comprise bases intended to receive the bottom of the container, each base being movable between the following positions:

[0061] - a use position, in which the base is in contact with the bottom of the container;

[0062] A rest position in which the seats are separated from the container bottom, each seat being positioned in the use position or rest position of the seat by a cam track and rollers integral with the seat.

[0063] The driving of the base between its use position and its rest position is therefore mechanically controlled, so that no dedicated energy-consuming control takes place.

[0064] Additionally, the mechanical control of the base movement provides a long service life and a low risk of wear.

[0065] Advantageously, each base can be freely rotated in its use position.

[0066] The base thus follows the rotational movement of the container, which prevents any friction that could damage the bottom of the container.

[0067] Advantageously, the cleaning radiation comprises an electron beam.

[0068] Advantageously, the first transmission means is adapted to cooperate with a support ring of the neck of the container.The cap does not have a support ring, so that the first gripping means are clearly distinguishable from the second gripping means.

[0069] The invention also relates to a container manufacturing machine comprising:

[0070] - Blowing unit;

[0071] - capping unit;

[0072] - A purge unit as previously described, the purge unit being interposed between the blowing unit and the capping unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] Other advantages and features of the present invention will appear more clearly from a reading of the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0074] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a manufacturing machine for manufacturing containers made of plastic material comprising a purification unit according to the invention;

[0075] Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional top view showing a purification unit according to the present invention;

[0076] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the alignment of a container and a cover intended to be positioned in a purification unit according to the present invention;

[0077] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Detailed view of the boxed section;

[0078] Figure 5is a detailed view of a drive device for rotating the container and the cover in the purification unit according to the present invention;

[0079] Figure 6 is a detailed view of a support device for a container in a purification unit according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] Figure 1 A machine 1 for producing containers 2 made of plastic material according to the invention is shown.

[0081] This manufacturing machine 1 comprises:

[0082] - Blowing unit 3;

[0083] - purification unit 4;

[0084] - Capping unit 5.

[0085] As is conventionally known, the blowing unit 3 allows obtaining a container 2 having the final shape starting from a preform made of previously heated plastics material.

[0086] When the container 2 leaves the blowing unit 3 , it is directed to a purification unit 4 in order to obtain purification, ie to eliminate all or part of the microorganisms it may contain, before being filled, generally with a liquid.

[0087] The caps 6 intended to close the containers 2 are generally produced by injection and, during the filling of the containers 2 , are also purified before they are used to cap the containers 2 in the capping unit 5 .

[0088] The capping unit 5 is supplied with filled containers 2 along a first supply line 7 on the one hand and with cleaned caps 6 along a second supply line 8 on the other hand.

[0089] In the capping unit 5 , a cap 6 is placed on the filled container 2 , in particular on its neck, in order to close the container and thus the product it contains, generally a liquid.

[0090] According to the prior art, the caps 6 and the containers 2 are cleaned separately before being brought together in the capping unit 5 .

[0091] Figure 2 A purification unit 4 according to the invention is shown, in which the cover 6 and the container 2 are purified simultaneously.

[0092] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, this is achieved in particular by clever positioning of the cover 6 and the container 2 in the purification unit 4 .

[0093] More precisely, if Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the containers 2 are moved in a row one behind the other in the purification unit 4 and define unoccupied spaces E between them.

[0094] More precisely, between the necks of two consecutive containers 2, the unoccupied space E allows the accommodation of a cap 6 to be decontaminated, such as Figure 2 , 3 and 4.

[0095] Therefore, if Figure 2 As shown, the purge unit 4 is connected to a first container 2 supply line 7 coming from the blowing unit 3 or buffer storage area and to a second lid 6 supply line 8 coming from a storage area or supply hopper.

[0096] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the purification unit 4 comprises:

[0097] - an input carousel 9 communicating with a first container 2 supply line 7 and a second cap supply line 8;

[0098] - a processing turntable 10 communicating with the input turntable 9;

[0099] A discharge carousel 11 communicating with the processing carousel 10 .

[0100] The input carousel 9 can receive the caps 6 and the containers 2 to be decontaminated, in particular the necks of these containers 2 , supplied from each of the first supply line 7 and the second supply line 8 , respectively.

[0101] By feeding each line, it is thus possible, at the input carousel 9 , to insert a cap 6 to be decontaminated between the necks of two containers 2 to be decontaminated.

[0102] To this end, the purification unit 4 comprises:

[0103] a first transfer device 12 having first holding means 13 for holding the container 2 by its neck and transferring it to an emission device 14 of a purification radiation 15 of the purification unit 4;

[0104] A second transfer device 16 , having holding means 17 for the caps 6 , for transferring the caps to the launching device 14 .

[0105] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in the detailed view of , the purification unit 4 is configured so that a spacing E is determined between consecutive first holding devices 13, and the second transmission device 16 is arranged relative to the first transmission device 12, so that the second holding device 17 and the first holding device 13 are arranged alternately in front of the emission device 14.

[0106] In other words, on each turntable, an alternation between first holding means 13 and second holding means 17 can be observed. Figure 4 This alternation is shown using the process carousel 10 as an example.

[0107] Preferably, the first holding means 13 and the second holding means 17 have the shape of a clamp, wherein the two jaws are immobile relative to each other. In another embodiment, the second holding means has the shape of a notch.

[0108] In a top view, the holding means 13, 17 are therefore U-shaped. Figure 3 As can be seen in the drawing, the emission of the purification radiation 15 takes place at a substantially rectangular window 18 indicated by dot-dash lines.

[0109] It can thus be seen that the cleaning radiation 15 reaches each container 2 over the entire width of the container 2. Thus, at the neck, which is smaller than the body of the container 2 (particularly in terms of diameter), the cleaning radiation 15 simultaneously sweeps over the container 2 and the material-free areas on both sides of the neck.

[0110] Thus, by inserting a cap 6 between two consecutive necks, the decontamination radiation 15 reaches the material of the cap 6 , thus allowing decontamination of the cap 6 and of the container 2 to be performed simultaneously.

[0111] Advantageously, the first gripping means 13 and the second gripping means 17 are located in the same plane. The cap 6 and the neck of the container 2 are therefore located in the same plane.

[0112] According to a first embodiment, the holding devices 13 , 17 carried by the processing carousel 10 are positioned lower with respect to the holding devices 13 , 17 carried by the input carousel 9 and the discharge carousel 11 .

[0113] According to a second embodiment, the holding devices 13 , 1 carried by the processing carousel 10 are located higher with respect to the holding devices 13 , 17 carried by the input carousel 10 and the discharge carousel 11 .

[0114] Regardless of whether the first or second embodiment is chosen, the holding means 13, 17 of the discharge carousel 11 and the holding means 13, 17 of the input carousel 10 are preferably coplanar.

[0115] In order to achieve complete decontamination of the container 2 and the cover 6, the container 2 and the cover 6 must be rotated 180° so that their entire circumference is exposed to the decontamination radiation 15. This is done in particular by Figure 5 and Figure 6 The rotation is realized by the rotary drive device 19 and the supporting device 20 shown.

[0116] Reference Figure 5 , the rotation drive device 19 of the cover 6 and the container 2 will now be described.

[0117] The rotary drive device 19 comprises:

[0118] - a buffer 21 intended to come into contact with the container 2 and the cover 6 in order to drive them in rotation by friction;

[0119] - Motor means 22 for rotating the damper 21 .

[0120] Advantageously, the buffer 21 is made of an elastically deformable material, such as rubber, or of an inert material that does not react to the purification radiation 15 .

[0121] This material is resistant to the purification radiation 15 on the one hand and can also change its shape when in contact with the container 2 or the cover 6 on the other hand, so as to allow the cover 6 and the container 2 to be driven in rotation by friction fit.

[0122] When the containers 2 and the caps 6 are being processed by the processing carousel 10, the rotary drive 19 must be inactive to allow the caps 6 and the containers 2 to be loaded into or unloaded from the processing carousel 10.

[0123] To this end, the buffer 21 can be used:

[0124] - its use position in contact with the container 2 or the cover 6;

[0125] its rest position in which it is separated from the container 2 or the cover 6 .

[0126] In order to be able to adopt its use position or rest position, each buffer 21 is controlled to move by means of a cam track 23 and a roller 24 integral with the buffer 21 , the roller 24 cooperating with the cam track 23 .

[0127] More precisely, the cam track 23 is in the shape of an annulus and is mounted above the processing carousel 10 , and the roller 24 is connected to the buffer 21 via a rod 25 .

[0128] The rod 25 then passes through a frame 26 integral with the processing carousel 10 and is mounted on said frame 26 by means of a resetting device 27. The resetting device 27 allows the forcing roller 24 to roll along the cam track 23.

[0129] The ring forming the cam track 23 thus has a surface with an access section 28 which allows the roller 24 to be positioned remote from the process carousel 10 .

[0130] The access section forms a portion in which the buffer 21 is located in a net position and is thus separated from the cover 6 and the container 2 .

[0131] In contrast, when the buffer 21 is in the use position, the buffer is driven in rotation by the motor device 22 and causes the cover 6 and the container 2 to rotate by friction, thereby causing the cover and the container to pivot during the process of passing in front of the purification radiation 15.

[0132] In order to guide the container 2 in rotation in the purification unit 4 , the first holding device 13 of the purification unit comprises a supporting device 20 as described above.

[0133] The support device 20 is arranged opposite to the rotation drive device 19 of the container 2 and is intended to accommodate the bottom of the container 2. More specifically, the support device 20 includes a base 29, which is intended to cooperate with the bottom of the container 2 to prevent the bottom of the container from being misaligned during rotation, thereby forcing the container to extend vertically between the rotation drive device 19 and the support device 20.

[0134] In the event of a different exchange between the process carousel 10 and the inlet carousel 9 or the discharge carousel 11 , the rotary drive 19 must be moved away from the containers 2 and the lids 6 , and the same applies to the support device 20 .

[0135] To this end, the base 29 can be used:

[0136] - its use position in contact with the bottom of the container 2;

[0137] - its rest position away from the bottom of the container 2 .

[0138] The base 29 is driven into its use position or rest position by a cam track 30 and a roller 31 integral with the base.

[0139] More precisely, each roller 31 is connected to the base 29 by a rod 32 mounted in translation on the frame 26 of the drive carousel 10 .

[0140] The cam track 30 is then also annular in shape and the roller 31 is intended to run in an annular shape.

[0141] The rod 32 is mounted on the frame of the processing carousel 10 through a resetting device 33 intended to keep the roller 31 of the supporting device 20 in contact with the cam track 30 .

[0142] The cam track 30 also has an access section 34 which allows the roller 31 to be moved away from the processing carousel 10 , in particular in a rest position of the base 29 , to allow the containers 2 to be exchanged between the processing carousel 10 and the input carousel 9 or the discharge carousel 11 .

[0143] During the rotation of the container, the base 29 rotates freely, which allows preventing the container from rubbing on the base 29 .

[0144] In other words, the base 29 moves with the rotational movement of the container 2 with which it cooperates.

[0145] When the purification unit 4 is in operation, ie, in one production cycle, the containers 2 and the caps 6 are fed to the purification unit 4 by the first supply line 7 and the second supply line 8, respectively.

[0146] Stopping devices of the containers 2 and caps 6 on their respective supply lines allow the caps 6 or containers 2 to pass to the input carousel 9 so that the caps 6 are placed between two consecutive containers 2 .

[0147] The containers 2 and the caps 6 are then driven by the input carousel 9 towards the interior of the purification unit 4 until they reach the processing carousel 10 , from which they then leave.

[0148] More specifically, the container 2 and the cover 6 are housed in the first gripping device 13 and the second gripping device 17 of the driving turntable 10, respectively.

[0149] The turntable 10 is then driven in rotation, exposing the containers 2 and the lids 6 to the purification radiation 15 .

[0150] During rotation of the treatment carousel 10 , the rotation drive means 19 and the support means 20 are in contact with each container 2 for rotating the container, in particular when the container is exposed to the purification radiation 15 .

[0151] By using the damper 21 of the rotating device 19 , the cover 6 is also rotated, the rotating device abutting against the damper, and the cover 6 slides on the second clamping device 17 as it rotates.

[0152] When the caps 6 and containers 2 are cleaned, they are led to the discharge carousel 11 through the processing carousel 10, and the discharge carousel obtains the cleaned caps 6 and containers 2 through the first gripping device 13 and the second gripping device 17 it contains to lead them to the transmission line leading to the capping unit 5.

[0153] Preferably, the capping unit 5 also forms the filling unit, so that the cap 6 and the filled container 2 can be assembled.

[0154] By placing the cap 6 between the necks of the containers 2, the cap 6 and the containers 2 can be purified simultaneously in a single purification step, which is beneficial to the energy consumption of the manufacturing machine 1, since only a single purification unit 4 is required, and for the same reason, it is also beneficial to the compactness of the manufacturing machine 1.

[0155] Furthermore, this makes it possible to ensure that only a single sterilization circuit is required for transporting the sterilized containers 2 and closures 6 .

Claims

1. A method for decontaminating a series of lids and a series of containers (2) made of plastic material, each container being intended to be closed by a lid (6) from the series of lids, the method comprising the following steps: - emitting purification radiation (15) via an emission device (14), - transporting a series of containers along a transport path to a launching device (14) by means of a first holding device (13), - transporting a series of caps along a transport path to a launching device (14) via a second holding device (17); The invention is characterized in that when a series of caps and a series of containers are transported, the second holding device (17) is located in front of the launching device (14) along the transport path, alternating with the first holding device (13).

2. Method for decontaminating a series of caps and a series of containers made of plastic material according to claim 1, characterized in that The container and the cover have an axis; and the container and / or the cover rotate about the axis at least during the step of emitting the purification radiation.

3. Method for decontaminating a series of caps and a series of containers made of plastic material according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that Purification radiation includes electron beams.

4. A purification unit (4) for implementing the purification method for purifying a series of caps and a series of containers made of plastic material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the purification unit comprising: - a transmitter (14) for transmitting the purification radiation (15); - a first transport device (12) having a first gripping device (13) for holding the container (2) by the neck and transporting the container (2) to the launch device (14), wherein a spacing (E) is defined between two adjacent first gripping devices (13); - a second transport device (16) having a second holding device (17) for holding the cap (6) and transporting the cap (6) to the launch device (14), The invention is characterized in that the second transmission device (16) is arranged relative to the first transmission device (12) and has a transmission part, in which the second holding device (17) of the second transmission device (16) and the first holding device (13) of the first transmission device (12) are alternately located in front of the launching device (14).

5. The purification unit (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first holding device (13) and the second holding device (17) are located in the same plane.

6. The purification unit (4) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that: The purification unit includes: - an input turntable (9) communicating with a first supply line (7) supplying the container (2) and a second supply line (8) supplying the cover (6); - a processing carousel (10) fed by an input carousel (9); - a discharge carousel (11) fed by the processing carousel (10), The input carousel (9), the processing carousel (10) and the discharge carousel (11) each carry a first transfer device (12) and a second transfer device (16).

7. The purification unit (4) according to claim 6, characterized in that The first holding device (13) and the second holding device (17) include a rotation drive device (19) for driving the container (2) and the cover (6) on the processing turntable (10) to rotate.

8. The purification unit (4) according to claim 7, characterized in that The rotary drive device (19) comprises: - a buffer (21) intended to come into contact with the container (2) and the cover (6) for driving the container and the cover in rotation by friction; - Motor means (22) for rotating the buffer (21).

9. The purification unit (4) according to claim 8, characterized in that The buffer (21) moves between the following positions: - a use position, in which the buffer is in contact with the container (2) or the cover (6); - a rest position in which the buffer is separated from the container (2) or the cover (6), Each buffer (21) is positioned in its use position or rest position by a cam track (23) and a roller (24) integral with the buffer (21).

10. The purification unit (4) according to claim 6, characterized in that The first holding device (13) comprises a supporting device (20) for supporting the container (2) on the processing turntable (10).

11. The purification unit (4) according to claim 10, characterized in that The support device (20) comprises a base (29) intended to receive the bottom of the container (2), each base (29) being movable between the following positions: - a use position, in which the base is in contact with the bottom of the container (2); - a rest position in which the base is separated from the bottom of the container (2), each base (29) being positioned in its use position or rest position by a cam track (30) and a roller (31) integral with the base (29).

12. The purification unit (4) according to claim 11, characterized in that Each base (29) can rotate freely in the base's use position.

13. The purification unit (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that The first transfer means is adapted to cooperate with a support ring of the neck of the container.

14. A container manufacturing machine (1), comprising: - Blowing unit (3); - capping unit (5); - A purification unit (4) according to any one of claims 4 to 13, the purification unit (4) being interposed between the blowing unit (3) and the capping unit (5).

Images