Blow-filling-seal integrated machine and operation method thereof

Abstract

A blow-filling-seal integrated machine, comprising a tank body, a filling module connected with the tank body, a filling needle arranged on the filling module, a bottle head die, and a bottle body die arranged below the bottle head die, wherein the bottle head die is internally provided with a first cooling channel, the bottle body die is internally provided with a second cooling channel, the blow-filling-seal integrated machine further comprises a punching mechanism, the punching mechanism is used for cutting off the waste on the vertically placed bottle body, and one side of the punching mechanism is provided with a conveying mechanism used for conveying the bottle body in a vertical state. The operation method comprises the following steps: forming a bottle body: the bottle body die is closed to form the bottle body; filling: the filling module drives the filling needle to descend and extend into the bottle body to perform filling; forming a bottle head: the bottle head die is closed to form the bottle head; punching: the punching mechanism cuts off the waste on the bottle body which is vertically placed after being formed; and discharging: the bottle body after punching is vertically placed on the conveying mechanism, and the conveying mechanism outputs the bottle body. The present application has the advantages of simple structure, reliability, and being beneficial to preventing the characteristics of heat-sensitive liquid medicine from being destroyed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to food and pharmaceutical packaging machinery, and more particularly to a blow-fill-seal integrated machine and its operating method. Background Technology

[0002] The blow-fill-seal integrated machine can complete the entire process of pharmaceutical packaging under aseptic conditions, including extrusion molding, filling, and sealing. It boasts excellent aseptic performance and control of insoluble particulate matter, making it widely used in the production of aseptic products. However, as the production process continues, the heat from the high-temperature preform extruded from the extruder radiates into the mold. If the mold temperature is not controlled, it risks continuously rising, potentially damaging the properties of some heat-sensitive pharmaceutical solutions, leading to decreased or even complete failure of the solution's function and properties.

[0003] Some existing blow-fill-seal machines consider controlling the temperature of the molding die. However, after extrusion molding, filling, and sealing, the bottle is placed horizontally during punching to facilitate the process. For ease of transport, the bottle is also typically transported horizontally. When placed horizontally, the liquid inside the bottle flows to the bottle neck, where the temperature hasn't yet dropped after sealing, potentially damaging the properties of heat-sensitive medications. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a blow-fill-seal integrated machine that is simple in structure, reliable, and conducive to preventing the properties of heat-sensitive liquids from being damaged during punching and conveying.

[0005] The present invention further provides a method for operating the above-mentioned blow-fill-seal integrated machine.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A blow-fill-seal integrated machine includes a tank, a filling module connected to the tank, a filling needle disposed on the filling module, a bottle head mold, and a bottle body mold located below the bottle head mold. The bottle head mold has a first cooling channel, and the bottle body mold has a second cooling channel. The blow-fill-seal integrated machine also includes a punching mechanism for cutting off waste material on vertically placed bottles. A conveying mechanism for conveying the bottles in a vertical position is provided on one side of the punching mechanism.

[0008] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: a material discharge channel is provided between the punching mechanism and the conveying mechanism, and the material discharge channel is equipped with a baffle that can reciprocate.

[0009] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: the blow-fill-seal integrated machine also includes a control module, a first temperature detection component is provided in the bottle head mold, and a second temperature detection component is provided in the bottle body mold. The first temperature detection component and the second temperature detection component are both connected to the input terminal of the control module, and the filling module and the bottle head mold are both connected to the output terminal of the control module.

[0010] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: both the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel are liquid cooling channels.

[0011] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: the bottle mold includes an upper mold section and a lower mold section. The upper mold section is provided with a cavity for forming the bottle body, and the second cooling channel and the second temperature detection component are both located in the lower mold section.

[0012] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: both the first temperature detection component and the second temperature detection component are temperature sensors.

[0013] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: the tank body is connected to the filling module through a liquid infusion pipeline, and the liquid infusion pipeline is covered with a heat insulation layer.

[0014] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: the conveying mechanism includes a conveyor belt and bottle guards located on both sides of the conveyor belt.

[0015] An operating method for the above-mentioned blow-fill-seal integrated machine includes the following steps:

[0016] Bottle body molding: The bottle body is formed by closing the bottle body mold;

[0017] Filling: The filling module drives the filling needle to descend and extend into the bottle body for filling;

[0018] Forming the bottle head: the bottle head mold is closed to form the bottle head;

[0019] Punching: The punching mechanism removes waste material from the formed and vertically placed bottle body;

[0020] Discharge: The cut bottle is placed vertically on the conveyor mechanism, which then outputs the bottle.

[0021] As a further improvement to the above technical solution:

[0022] The specific steps for filling are as follows:

[0023] The second temperature detection component detects the temperature of the bottle mold and transmits it to the control module. If the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T1, the control module outputs a signal to the filling module, which then drives the filling needle to descend and insert into the bottle for filling. If the detected temperature is greater than the set temperature T1, the flow rate of the cooling medium in the first cooling channel increases or the temperature decreases until the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T1, at which point the filling module resumes filling.

[0024] As a further improvement to the above technical solution:

[0025] The specific steps for forming the bottle head are as follows:

[0026] The first temperature detection component detects the temperature of the bottle head mold and transmits it to the control module. If the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T2, the control module outputs a signal to the bottle head mold, and the bottle head mold closes to form the bottle head. If the detected temperature is greater than the set temperature T2, the flow rate of the cooling medium in the second cooling channel increases or the temperature decreases until the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T2, and the bottle head mold closes again.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: The blow-fill-seal integrated machine disclosed in this invention extrudes molten plastic preforms. When the plastic preforms flow to the bottle body mold, the bottle body mold closes to form the bottle body. Then, the filling module drives the filling needle to descend and extend into the bottle body for filling. After filling is completed, the filling needle rises and resets. Then, the bottle head mold closes to form the bottle head (and simultaneously completes the sealing). Then, the bottle body mold and bottle head mold reset to form the next section of plastic preform. The punching mechanism removes the waste material on the vertically placed bottle body. Then, the bottle body is vertically placed on the conveying mechanism for output. Compared with the horizontal punching and conveying of the bottle body, the present invention can avoid the liquid medicine in the bottle body from flowing to the bottle mouth, which is beneficial to prevent the high temperature at the bottle mouth from damaging the properties of heat-sensitive liquid medicine. The second cooling channel in the bottle body mold and the first cooling channel in the bottle head mold are filled with coolant, which can remove the heat of the bottle body mold and bottle head mold in time, so that the bottle body mold and bottle head mold can be maintained at a suitable temperature, avoiding damage to the properties of heat-sensitive liquid medicine. The structure is simple and reliable.

[0028] The operation method of the blow-fill-seal integrated machine disclosed in this invention includes the above-mentioned blow-fill-seal integrated machine, and therefore also has the above-mentioned advantages; the bottle with waste is placed vertically, the punching mechanism removes the waste on the bottle, and then the bottle is placed vertically on the conveying mechanism for output. Compared with the bottle being punched and conveyed in a horizontal state, this invention can avoid the liquid in the bottle flowing to the bottle mouth, which is beneficial to prevent the high temperature at the bottle mouth from damaging the properties of heat-sensitive liquid. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the blow-fill-seal integrated machine of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the tank and filling module in this invention.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the conveying mechanism in this invention.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation method of the blow-fill-seal integrated machine of the present invention.

[0033] The labels in the diagram represent: 1. Tank body; 2. Filling module; 21. Filling needle; 3. Bottle head mold; 31. First cooling channel; 32. First temperature detection component; 4. Bottle body mold; 41. Second cooling channel; 42. Second temperature detection component; 43. Upper section of mold; 44. Lower section of mold; 5. Bottle body; 51. Waste material; 6. Punching mechanism; 7. Conveying mechanism; 71. Conveyor belt; 72. Bottle guardrail; 8. Liquid delivery pipeline; 9. Material discharge channel; 91. Baffle. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] Figures 1 to 3 An embodiment of the blow-fill-seal integrated machine of the present invention is shown. The blow-fill-seal integrated machine of this embodiment includes a tank body 1, a filling module 2 connected to the tank body 1, a filling needle 21 disposed on the filling module 2, a bottle head mold 3, and a bottle body mold 4 located below the bottle head mold 3. The bottle head mold 3 is provided with a first cooling channel 31, and the bottle body mold 4 is provided with a second cooling channel 41. The blow-fill-seal integrated machine also includes a punching mechanism 6, which is used to cut off the waste material 51 on the vertically placed bottle body 5. A conveying mechanism 7 is provided on one side of the punching mechanism 6 for conveying the bottle body 5 in a vertical state.

[0037] In this embodiment of the blow-fill-seal integrated machine, the extruder (not shown in the figure) extrudes molten plastic preforms. When the plastic preforms flow to the bottle body mold 4, the bottle body mold 4 closes to form the bottle body. Then, the filling module 2 drives the filling needle 21 to descend and extend into the bottle body for filling. After filling is completed, the filling needle 21 rises and resets. Then, the bottle head mold 3 closes to form the bottle head (and simultaneously completes the sealing). Then, the bottle body mold 4 and the bottle head mold 3 reset to form the next segment of plastic preform. The punching mechanism 6 cuts off the waste material 51 on the vertically placed bottle body 5 (the waste material 51 is mainly located on the opposite sides and the top and bottom ends of the bottle body 5). Then, the bottle body 5 is vertically placed on the conveying mechanism 7 for output. Compared with the horizontal punching and conveying of the bottle body 5, this method is more efficient. This invention prevents the liquid medicine inside the bottle body 5 from flowing to the bottle mouth, which helps prevent the high temperature at the bottle mouth from damaging the properties of the heat-sensitive liquid medicine (because the plastic tube preform is fused together to form the bottle head, the temperature of the bottle head mold 3 will be higher than the temperature of the bottle body mold 4, and the bottle head is formed after the bottle body is formed, with a shorter cooling time, resulting in the bottle head temperature being higher than the bottle body temperature after forming); the second cooling channel 41 in the bottle body mold 4 and the first cooling channel 31 in the bottle head mold 3 are filled with coolant, which promptly removes the heat from the bottle body mold 4 and the bottle head mold 3, allowing the bottle body mold 4 and the bottle head mold 3 to be maintained at a suitable temperature, avoiding damage to the properties of the heat-sensitive liquid medicine. The structure is simple and reliable.

[0038] Furthermore, a material discharge channel 9 is provided between the punching mechanism 6 and the conveying mechanism 7. The material discharge channel 9 is equipped with a reciprocating baffle 91 (preferably, the baffle 91 adopts a reciprocating movement structure, but in other embodiments, other reciprocating movement structures such as rotation can also be used). After the bottle head mold 3 is opened, the baffle 91 is positioned to receive the bottle body 5. The punching mechanism 6 cuts off the waste material 51 on the vertically placed bottle body 5, and then moves the bottle body 5 to above the conveying mechanism 7. The baffle 91 is removed, and the bottle body 5 enters the material discharge channel 9 in a vertical state from the punching mechanism 6 and finally falls onto the conveying mechanism 7. The structure is simple, low-cost, and reliable. Of course, in other embodiments, a robotic arm or similar device can be used to hold the bottle body 5 and transport it in a vertical state, which can also prevent the liquid from flowing to the bottle mouth. However, this method is costly and requires space to be reserved for the movement of the robotic arm.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the blow-fill-seal integrated machine also includes a control module (not shown in the figure), a first temperature detection component 32 is provided in the bottle head mold 3, and a second temperature detection component 42 is provided in the bottle body mold 4. The first temperature detection component 32 and the second temperature detection component 42 are both connected to the input terminal signal of the control module, and the filling module 2 and the bottle head mold 3 are both connected to the output terminal signal of the control module.

[0040] The second temperature detection component 42 detects the temperature of the bottle body mold 4 and transmits it to the control module. If the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T1 (T1 does not exceed the thermosensitive temperature of the liquid, which is determined according to the characteristics of different liquids), the control module outputs a signal to the filling module 2, and the filling module 2 drives the filling needle 21 to descend and extend into the bottle body for filling. If the detected temperature is greater than the set temperature T1, the flow rate of the cooling medium (e.g., cooling water) in the first cooling channel 31 is increased or the temperature is decreased until the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T1, and the filling module 2 then performs filling. Further, the first temperature detection component 32 detects the temperature of the bottle head mold 3 and transmits it to the control module. If the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T2 (T2 also does not exceed the thermosensitive temperature of the liquid, which is determined according to the characteristics of different liquids), the control module outputs a signal to the bottle head mold 3, and the bottle head mold 3 closes to form the bottle head. If the detected temperature is greater than the set temperature T2, the flow rate of the cooling medium in the second cooling channel 41 is increased or the temperature is decreased until the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T2, and the bottle head mold 3 then closes. This allows for precise, real-time temperature control of the bottle body mold 4 and the bottle head mold 3, ensuring that the temperature remains below the heat-sensitive temperature of the liquid, thus protecting the properties of the heat-sensitive liquid from damage.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, both the first cooling channel 31 and the second cooling channel 41 are liquid cooling channels. Liquid cooling provides good temperature control and helps ensure that the temperature of the bottle body mold 4 and the bottle head mold 3 is always lower than the thermosensitive temperature of the liquid medicine.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bottle mold 4 includes an upper mold section 43 and a lower mold section 44. The upper mold section 43 is provided with a cavity for forming the bottle body. The second cooling channel 41 and the second temperature detection component 42 are both located in the lower mold section 44. This can make full use of the vertical space, reduce the horizontal dimensions of the bottle mold 4, and make the overall structure of the forming mold more compact.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, both the first temperature detection component 32 and the second temperature detection component 42 are temperature sensors.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tank 1 and the filling module 2 are connected via an infusion pipe 8, which is covered with an insulation layer. The insulation layer isolates the liquid medicine inside the infusion pipe 8 from the external environment, which helps to ensure the temperature of the heat-sensitive liquid medicine before filling.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the conveying mechanism 7 includes a conveyor belt 71 and bottle guards 72 disposed on both sides of the conveyor belt 71. The bottle guards 72 on both sides ensure that the bottle 5 is output in a vertical state, preventing it from tipping over.

[0046] Example 2

[0047] Figure 4 An embodiment of the operation method of the blow-fill-seal integrated machine of the present invention is shown. The operation method of the blow-fill-seal integrated machine of this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0048] Bottle body molding: The bottle body is formed by four-part mold assembly;

[0049] Filling: The filling module 2 drives the filling needle 21 to descend and extend into the bottle body for filling;

[0050] Bottle head forming: The bottle head is formed by a 3-piece mold;

[0051] Punching: The punching mechanism 6 removes the waste material 51 from the formed and vertically placed bottle body 5;

[0052] Discharge: The cut bottle body 5 is placed vertically on the conveying mechanism 7, and the conveying mechanism 7 outputs the bottle body 5.

[0053] The operation method of this blow-fill-seal integrated machine includes the above-mentioned blow-fill-seal integrated machine, and therefore has the same advantages as mentioned above; the bottle 5 with waste material 51 is placed vertically, the punching mechanism 6 cuts off the waste material 51 on the bottle 5, and then the bottle 5 is placed vertically on the conveying mechanism 7 for output. Compared with the bottle 5 being punched and conveyed in a horizontal state, it can prevent the liquid medicine in the bottle 5 from flowing to the bottle mouth, which is beneficial to prevent the high temperature at the bottle mouth from damaging the properties of heat-sensitive liquid medicine.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the specific steps of filling are as follows:

[0055] The second temperature detection component 42 detects the temperature of the bottle mold 4 and transmits it to the control module. If the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T1, the control module outputs a signal to the filling module 2, which then lowers the filling needle 21 to insert it into the bottle for filling. If the detected temperature is greater than the set temperature T1, the flow rate of the cooling medium in the first cooling channel 31 increases or the temperature decreases until the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T1, at which point the filling module 2 resumes filling. The specific steps for forming the bottle head are as follows:

[0056] The first temperature detection component 32 detects the temperature of the bottle head mold 3 and transmits it to the control module. If the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T2, the control module outputs a signal to the bottle head mold 3, and the bottle head mold 3 closes to form the bottle head. If the detected temperature is greater than the set temperature T2, the flow rate of the cooling medium in the second cooling channel 41 increases or the temperature decreases until the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T2, and then the bottle head mold 3 closes again.

[0057] This allows for precise, real-time temperature control of the bottle body mold 4 and the bottle head mold 3, ensuring that the temperature remains below the heat-sensitive temperature of the liquid, thus protecting the properties of the heat-sensitive liquid from damage.

[0058] While the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can make many possible variations and modifications to the technical solutions of the present invention, or modify them into equivalent embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention, without departing from the scope of the present invention, should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A blow-fill-seal integrated machine, comprising a tank (1), a filling module (2) connected to the tank (1), a filling needle (21) disposed on the filling module (2), a bottle head mold (3), and a bottle body mold (4) located below the bottle head mold (3), wherein the bottle head mold (3) is provided with a first cooling channel (31), and the bottle body mold (4) is provided with a second cooling channel (41), characterized in that: The blow-fill-seal machine also includes a punching mechanism (6), which is used to cut off the waste material (51) on the vertically placed bottle (5). A conveying mechanism (7) is provided on one side of the punching mechanism (6) for conveying the bottle (5) in a vertical state. A material drop channel (9) is provided between the punching mechanism (6) and the conveying mechanism (7). The material drop channel (9) is equipped with a baffle (91) that can reciprocate. After the bottle head mold (3) is opened, the baffle (91) is positioned to receive the bottle (5). The punching mechanism (6) cuts off the waste material on the vertically placed bottle (5), and then moves the bottle (5) to the top of the conveying mechanism (7). The baffle (91) is removed, and the bottle (5) enters the material drop channel (9) in a vertical state from the punching mechanism (6) and falls to the conveying mechanism (7).

2. The blow-fill-seal integrated machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a control module. The bottle head mold (3) is provided with a first temperature detection component (32), and the bottle body mold (4) is provided with a second temperature detection component (42). The first temperature detection component (32) and the second temperature detection component (42) are both connected to the input terminal of the control module. The filling module (2) and the bottle head mold (3) are both connected to the output terminal of the control module.

3. The blow-fill-seal integrated machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottle mold (4) includes an upper section (43) and a lower section (44). The upper section (43) is provided with a cavity for forming the bottle body. The second cooling channel (41) and the second temperature detection component (42) are both located in the lower section (44).

4. The blow-fill-seal integrated machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both the first temperature detection component (32) and the second temperature detection component (42) are temperature sensors.

5. The blow-fill-seal integrated machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The tank (1) is connected to the filling module (2) via a liquid infusion pipe (8), which is covered with an insulation layer.

6. The blow-fill-seal integrated machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The conveying mechanism (7) includes a conveyor belt (71) and bottle guards (72) located on both sides of the conveyor belt (71).

7. A method for operating the blow-fill-seal integrated machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: Includes the following steps, Bottle body forming: The bottle body mold (4) is closed to form the bottle body; Filling: The filling module (2) drives the filling needle (21) to descend and extend into the bottle body for filling; Bottle head forming: Bottle head mold (3) closes the mold to form the bottle head; Punching: The punching mechanism (6) removes the waste material (51) from the formed and vertically placed bottle body (5); Discharge: The cut bottle body (5) is placed vertically on the conveying mechanism (7), and the conveying mechanism (7) outputs the bottle body (5).

8. The operating method of the blow-fill-seal integrated machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The specific steps for filling are as follows: The second temperature detection component (42) detects the temperature of the bottle mold (4) and transmits it to the control module. If the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T1, the control module outputs a signal to the filling module (2). The filling module (2) drives the filling needle (21) to descend and extend into the bottle body for filling. If the detected temperature is greater than the set temperature T1, the flow rate of the cooling medium in the second cooling channel (41) increases or the temperature decreases until the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T1, and the filling module (2) then performs filling.

9. The operating method of the blow-fill-seal integrated machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The specific steps for forming the bottle head are as follows: The first temperature detection component (32) detects the temperature of the bottle head mold (3) and transmits it to the control module. If the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T2, the control module outputs a signal to the bottle head mold (3), and the bottle head mold (3) closes to form the bottle head. If the detected temperature is greater than the set temperature T2, the flow rate of the cooling medium in the first cooling channel (31) increases or the temperature decreases until the detected temperature is less than or equal to the set temperature T2, and the bottle head mold (3) closes again.

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