Device and method for treating plastic parisons using temperature detection

Abstract

An apparatus and method for treating plastic parisons using temperature detection. The invention relates to a device for heating plastic parisons, comprising a heating device which is suitable and intended to heat the plastic parisons, comprising: a transport device which transports the plastic parisons along a predetermined transport path; the invention relates to a device for transporting plastic parisons, comprising at least one heating device, which is suitable and intended to heat the plastic parisons transported, comprising a molding device, which is arranged downstream of the heating device in the transport direction of the plastic parisons, the invention relates to a device for molding plastic parisons, comprising a heating device for heating plastic parisons, and a molding device which is suitable and intended to mold the heated plastic parisons into plastic containers, the device having at least one temperature detection device which is suitable and intended to detect the temperature of the plastic parisons heated by the heating device, wherein the temperature of the plastic parisons can be detected in a spatially resolved manner at least in the longitudinal direction of the plastic parisons, characterized in that the temperature detection device has an image capturing device which is suitable and intended to capture spatially resolved images of the plastic parisons, wherein the image capturing device can be configured, and preferably can be configured in consideration of at least one characteristic parameter characterizing the plastic parisons to be inspected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for processing plastic preforms. Background Art

[0002] Such devices and methods have long been known from the prior art. Plastic preforms are usually heated in an oven so that they can be formed into plastic containers, especially plastic bottles, in this heated state later.

[0003] Here, the temperature of the plastic preform at the outlet of the oven is a key parameter in the production or forming process. It is known from the applicant's internal prior art that a pyrometer is used at the oven or at the oven outlet to detect the temperature of the plastic preform. Here, the distance between the individual measurement points is fixedly predetermined because the pyrometer is fixed to the frame. Thus, it can happen that in the case of a very small or very short plastic preform, the lowest pyrometer cannot detect the characteristic value characterizing the plastic preform.

[0004] It is known from DE 10 2016 118 670 B1 that after producing a plastic preform, the temperature distribution at the surface of the plastic preform is determined by means of a thermal imaging camera.

[0005] WO 20211071677 A1 describes using a detector to determine specific important regions.

[0006] EP 4 051 484 B1 describes determining the quality of a container based on a thermal image. Here, it is checked whether the value of the critical region is below a threshold. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to improve the temperature monitoring of such plastic preforms. According to the present invention, these objects are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] According to the present invention, a device for processing plastic preforms has a heating device that is suitable and intended to heat plastic preforms, wherein the heating device has: a transport device that transports the plastic preforms along a predetermined transport path; and at least one heating device that is suitable and intended to heat the plastic preforms transported by the transport device.

[0010] Furthermore, the device also has a forming device which is arranged downstream of the heating device in the transport direction of the plastic preform and which is suitable and intended to form the plastic preform heated by the heating device into a plastic container, wherein the device has at least one temperature detection device which is suitable and intended to detect the temperature of the plastic preform heated or to be heated by the heating device, and wherein the temperature of the plastic preform can be detected in a spatially resolved manner at least in the longitudinal direction and / or the circumferential direction of the plastic preform.

[0011] According to the invention, the temperature detection device has an image acquisition device which is suitable and intended to acquire at least one spatially resolved image of the plastic preform or of a section of the plastic preform, wherein the image acquisition device is configurable and preferably configurable taking into account at least one characteristic parameter characterizing the plastic preform to be inspected.

[0012] Therefore, it is proposed to use an image acquisition device, in particular a thermal imaging camera, instead of a pyrometer in the prior art. Particularly preferably, the image acquisition device is suitable and intended to detect radiation in the infrared wavelength range.

[0013] Within the image area of the thermal imaging camera, it is possible to preferably configure and / or select such areas or parts which preferably in turn correspond to, for example, nine positions of the previously used pyrometer system. In particular, areas to be evaluated within the framework of image evaluation can be selected from the images acquired by the image acquisition device.

[0014] As described below, the selected area can also be a line, an image part or a plurality of image parts.

[0015] The main advantage is that the selection of these areas can be independent of the positioning of the image acquisition device (e.g. camera). In the prior art, if the focus is to be placed on the actual dimensions of the plastic preform, the areas to be detected have to be individually set and / or configured for each customer object and each machine.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the heating device is a heating device which heats the plastic preform by means of infrared radiation. It may also be possible to use a heating device which heats the plastic preform by means of microwaves or other types of radiation.

[0017] Particularly preferably, the heating device has a rotating device which rotates the plastic preform about its longitudinal direction during heating. Particularly preferably, the image acquisition device acquires images during rotation of the plastic preform (relative to its longitudinal direction).

[0018] It is feasible here to take an image using a predetermined exposure time. Here, the exposure time can be so short that the plastic preform does not rotate or hardly rotates or only rotates a negligible angle during the exposure time. Preferably, the exposure time is less than 1 / 50 s, preferably less than 1 / 100 s, preferably less than 1 / 200 s, preferably less than 1 / 400 s, preferably less than 1 / 500 s, preferably less than 1 / 800 s, preferably less than 1 ms.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the heating devices of the heating apparatus are arranged in a fixed manner, and preferably, the plastic preform is passed by these heating devices. Preferably, each of the heating devices has a plurality of radiant heaters that extend in the transport direction of the plastic preform.

[0020] In another advantageous embodiment, the transport device has a holding device for holding the plastic preform, and in particular, the transport device has a holding mandrel for holding the plastic preform, which can be inserted into the mouth of the plastic preform. Preferably, the heating device transports the plastic preforms at a certain (especially constant) distance from each other. Particularly preferably, the transport device is suitable and intended to transport the plastic preforms at least in sections along a linear transport section.

[0021] Particularly preferably, the downstream shaping device is a blow molding machine, especially a stretch blow molding machine. Particularly preferably, the shaping device has a movable, especially rotatable carrier, at which a plurality of shaping stations are arranged. These shaping stations preferably each have a blow mold in which the plastic preform can be shaped into a plastic container, especially a plastic bottle.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the device has an ejection device that is suitable and intended to eject the plastic preform transported by the transport device or the downstream transport device from the transport path of the plastic preform. Especially a problematic plastic preform or a plastic preform identified as problematic or having a problematic temperature curve by the temperature detection device. In particular, the ejection device is suitable and intended to eject and / or discharge the plastic preform from the transport path of the plastic preform in response to a signal from the temperature detection device.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment, the device has a production device for producing plastic preforms. Preferably, the production device is arranged upstream of the heating device in the transport direction of the plastic preform. Particularly preferably, the production device is an injection molding machine or an injection compression molding machine.

[0024] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the image capturing device is a camera, in particular a thermal imaging camera or an infrared camera. It is feasible here for the camera to be arranged in a fixed manner. However, it is particularly preferred for the camera to be able to change the viewing section, at least the viewing section to be evaluated. Additionally, it may also be feasible for the image capturing device to be movable, for example pivotable, in order to facilitate image capturing of plastic preforms of different lengths.

[0025] The image capturing device that can be configured particularly means that at least one characteristic parameter characterizing the image capturing and / or image evaluation of the image captured by the image capturing device can be changed. That is, it may be feasible for the image capturing range of the image capturing device to be changed, such as the zoom range of the camera. However, it may also be conceivable that the area of the captured image that is to be evaluated can be changed.

[0026] Particularly preferably, however, it is possible to configure and / or select which section or sections of the image captured by the image capturing device are to be evaluated as described above.

[0027] Particularly preferably, the device has a second temperature detection device and / or a second image capturing device, which is particularly arranged upstream of the above-mentioned first temperature detection device. Here, the second temperature detection device and / or the image capturing device can, for example, detect at least one characteristic value characterizing the geometry of the plastic preform.

[0028] Spatially resolved temperature detection particularly means detecting the temperature or its temperature at at least two, preferably at least three, particularly preferably at least four different points or regions of the plastic preform. In particular, the temperature is detected at at least two points or regions in the longitudinal direction of the plastic preform. Particularly preferably, the temperature (or the characteristic value characterizing the temperature) of the plastic preform is detected at at least three, preferably at least four, preferably at least five, preferably at least six, preferably at least seven, particularly preferably at least eight points and / or regions. It is feasible here for these points or regions to be equidistant from each other.

[0029] It is feasible for the temperature detection device to quantitatively detect the temperature of the plastic preform. However, it may also be feasible to qualitatively detect the temperature, that is, for example, to determine the colder and hotter regions of the plastic preform based on the captured image.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the device has a control device for controlling the forming device, which is suitable and intended to control the forming device based on the temperature of the plastic preform detected by the temperature detection device.

[0031] Therefore, in this design solution, it is recommended to control the forming process, such as the blow molding process, according to the temperature distribution detected by the temperature detection device. That is, for example, the application of a gas medium to the plastic preform, the movement of the stretching rod, etc. can be controlled according to the detected temperature.

[0032] In another advantageous embodiment, the device has a distribution device that is suitable and intended to allocate a forming station for forming a specific plastic preform whose temperature has been measured.

[0033] In another advantageous embodiment, the image capture can be configured, and preferably, the image capture device can be configured taking into account at least one characteristic parameter characterizing the plastic preform to be inspected.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, this characteristic parameter is selected from a group of parameters that includes the length of the plastic preform, the outer cross-section of the plastic preform, the inner cross-section of the plastic preform, the wall thickness of the plastic preform, the material of the plastic preform, etc.

[0035] Therefore, it is feasible to determine characteristic values characterizing the plastic preform in a first step, such as geometry, recyclable ratio, weight, additives used in the injection molding process, etc. These characteristic values can be determined, for example, using an upstream camera system or an upstream camera or also using the thermal imaging camera or the image capture device itself described herein.

[0036] In another preferred embodiment, the device has an evaluation device, in particular an image evaluation device, that is suitable and intended to evaluate the images captured by the image capture device, where the evaluation device is preferably configurable, in particular configurable with respect to the area of the image captured by the image capture device to be evaluated.

[0037] Therefore, image evaluation can be performed, and based on the image, for example, the geometry of the plastic preform can be derived. Alternatively or additionally, however, it is also conceivable that the machine operator inputs the characteristic values in advance. In a second step, it is feasible to transfer the characteristic values determined in advance to the control device.

[0038] Therefore, the device preferably has a control device that is suitable and intended to control the image capture device and / or control the evaluation of the images captured by the image capture device.

[0039] Then, the control device can, in particular, determine the plastic preform to be detected based on these characteristic values and select which area of the image captured by the image detection device, in particular the image capture device or the thermal imaging camera, is to be evaluated. It is also feasible to control the image capture device itself, for example, zooming to a specific area.

[0040] Here, it is conceivable that the control device can access a storage device in which such content is stored: which areas are advantageous to check for specific characteristic values (or specific plastic parisons). The storage device can be, for example, an internal storage device.

[0041] However, it may also be feasible to store or retrieve in a storage device such as, for example, the cloud (big data). For this purpose, it is feasible to fill other machines' data into such a higher-level storage device, but also to fill the relevant machine's data.

[0042] Two examples are given below for illustration: namely, a machine operator or customer can, for example, run or process large plastic parisons during the first production. During production, the plastic parison (e.g., between the oven and the blow molding machine) is inspected using a thermal imaging camera.

[0043] Predetermined areas are photographed here. If the operator wishes to change production and run smaller plastic parisons during the second production, the geometry of the smaller plastic parison is informed to the control device and / or the image capture device, and the areas to be inspected by the image capture device and / or the parts of the images captured by the image capture device to be evaluated are determined.

[0044] In the second example, the customer or operator runs a plastic parison with a first recyclable ratio during the first production. Now, production is to be changed and a plastic parison with a second recyclable ratio is to be used during the second production. The control device can check in advance in the storage device whether a plastic parison with such a recyclable ratio has already been run (on the said machine or other machines). If corresponding results are found, the saved areas can be transmitted to the image capture device or the thermal imaging camera. Preferably, then the image capture and / or image evaluation can be controlled accordingly.

[0045] In another advantageous embodiment, the device has an adjustment device, in particular an adjustment circuit. That is, in particular, the forming device can have an adjustment device which, when adjusting the forming device, in particular adjusting each forming station, also takes into account the detected spatially resolved temperature of the plastic parison.

[0046] Particularly preferably, the device is used in combination with a forming device controlled by artificial intelligence. This means that the measurement data of the image capture device are also incorporated into the control and / or adjustment system controlled by artificial intelligence.

[0047] In another preferred method or preferred apparatus, the heating device has at least one module that enables the plastic preform to be heated in a varying manner in the circumferential direction. If a container with a different cross-section, for example an elliptical cross-section, is subsequently produced by the forming device, such heating can be helpful. In this case, the detection device can detect different hot or cold zones of the plastic preform in the circumferential direction.

[0048] The present invention enables targeted inspection of critical areas of the plastic preform. In addition, improvement of the container quality can be achieved. In addition, the machine can be adjusted faster and better. In addition, the reject rate can be reduced. In addition, the present invention has the advantage of reduced or minimized commissioning effort.

[0049] Preferably, the image capture section of the image captured by the image capture device is selectable. That is, for example, a specific section of the plastic preform in the circumferential direction or a specific length region can be selected (and the image of this region or section can be selected).

[0050] That is, for example, it may be possible to capture only a line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the plastic preform or to capture along a line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the plastic preform (with respect to the circumferential wall of the plastic preform). In addition, it may also be possible to capture one or several image capture sections, which can preferably also be separated from each other.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, it is possible to present the plastic preform 360° during forward transportation. During this movement, preferably at least 4 captures, preferably at least 6 captures, preferably at least 8 captures are made within the image area. In this way, preferably not only vertical temperature information but also preferably horizontal information can be obtained (for example, if the recyclable ratio is high, the horizontal information is important).

[0052] Here, it is particularly preferred to capture these areas or image sections regardless of the position of the image capture device.

[0053] In another preferred embodiment, the device has a detection device that is suitable and intended to detect characteristic values characterizing the plastic preform.

[0054] Preferably, the value is selected from a group of values that includes the length of the plastic preform, the outer cross-section of the plastic preform, the inner cross-section of the plastic preform, the wall thickness of the plastic preform, the material of the plastic preform, the geometry of the plastic preform, the recyclable ratio of the plastic preform material, the weight of the plastic preform, the presence of additives in the plastic preform material, the ratio of additives in the plastic preform material, the type of additives in the plastic preform material, etc.

[0055] Here, the detection device can be the image capture device itself. However, a detection device in the form of an upstream device can also be provided, such as another image capture device or a camera. Preferably, the other image capture device is an image capture device suitable and intended for capturing images in the visible light wavelength range. In addition, the detection device can also be an input device for the user to input data.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the device has a control device that controls the image capture device based on the characteristic value. In particular, the control device selects a section of the captured image and / or controls the image capture device to select a specific section of the captured image.

[0057] Particularly preferably, the device has a storage device that is suitable and intended for storing links that assign control variables to the characteristic values of the plastic parison, and these control variables can in turn be transmitted to the control device. That is, a new plastic parison can be detected as described above, and it can be checked with the storage device whether specific values for controlling the image capture device and / or the evaluation device have been assigned to it.

[0058] That is, for example, different types of plastic parisons and their characteristic data can be stored in the storage device, and these plastic parisons have been measured by the said machine in the past or processed by other machines. That is, for example, a data set of a large number of plastic parisons can be stored in the storage device.

[0059] The present invention also relates to a temperature detection device that is suitable and intended for detecting the temperature of a plastic parison heated by a heating device, wherein the temperature of the plastic parison can be detected in a spatially resolved manner at least in the longitudinal direction of the plastic parison.

[0060] According to the present invention, the temperature detection device has an image capture device that is suitable and intended for capturing a spatially resolved image of the plastic parison, and the image capture device is configurable, preferably configurable in consideration of at least one characteristic parameter characterizing the plastic parison to be inspected.

[0061] Therefore, with reference to the temperature detection device, it is also proposed that the temperature detection device can be configured in a predetermined manner, in particular configured with reference to the plastic parison to be inspected, for example considering its length.

[0062] The present invention also relates to a method for processing a plastic preform, wherein a heating device heats the plastic preform, and wherein the heating device has: a transport device that transports the plastic preform along a predetermined transport path; and at least one heating device that heats the plastic preform transported by the transport device, and wherein a forming device, which is arranged downstream of the heating device in the transport direction of the plastic preform, forms the plastic preform heated by the heating device into a plastic container, wherein the device has at least one temperature detection device that detects the temperature of the plastic preform heated by the heating device, and wherein the temperature of the plastic preform is detected in a spatially resolved manner at least in the longitudinal direction and / or the circumferential direction of the plastic preform.

[0063] According to the invention, the temperature detection device has an image capture device that captures at least one spatially resolved image of the plastic preform, wherein the image capture device is configurable and / or is configured, and preferably, the image capture device is configurable taking into account at least one characteristic parameter characterizing the plastic preform to be inspected and / or is configured taking into account at least one characteristic parameter characterizing the plastic preform to be inspected.

[0064] In particular, the image capture device is a thermal imaging camera that preferably captures a spatially resolved image of the plastic preform in terms of the temperature of the plastic preform.

[0065] The present invention also relates to a method for detecting the temperature of a plastic preform, wherein a temperature detection device detects the temperature of the plastic preform heated by a heating device, and wherein the temperature of the plastic preform is detected in a spatially resolved manner at least in the longitudinal direction and / or the circumferential direction of the plastic preform.

[0066] According to the invention, the temperature detection device has an image capture device that captures a spatially resolved image of the plastic preform, wherein the image capture device is configured, and preferably, the image capture device is configured taking into account at least one characteristic parameter characterizing the plastic preform to be inspected.

[0067] Preferably, the plastic preform has a base body and a threaded section arranged at the base body. Preferably, the plastic preform has a support ring at which the plastic preform can be supported.

[0068] Particularly preferably, the spatially resolved image is detected during the movement of the plastic preform. However, particularly preferably, the image is captured during a period when the plastic preform does not rotate or rotates hardly at all relative to its longitudinal direction. Alternatively, it may be possible to rotate against the direction of movement in order to reduce the movement during the capture.

[0069] In another preferred method, the forming device is controlled taking into account the captured image. In another preferred embodiment, the heating device is controlled taking into account the captured image.

[0070] In another preferred embodiment, both the forming device and the heating device can be controlled taking into account at least one image and / or the forming device and the heating device can be controlled both taking into account at least one image.

[0071] Preferably, when controlling the forming device and / or the heating device, other parameters and / or measured values can be taken into account. That is, for example, the measured value of the light transmittance measurement at the end of the forming device can be taken into account. Environmental parameters such as the ambient temperature or air humidity can also be taken into account.

[0072] In another preferred method, at least one characteristic value characterizing the physical properties of the plastic preform is detected, and preferably the image capturing device is controlled taking into account this value. Here, it can be, for example, the geometric properties of the plastic preform (such as its length) as described above.

[0073] Particularly preferably, at least one region of the image of the plastic preform captured by the image capturing device is selected and / or evaluated. Preferably, only a partial region of the image is evaluated.

[0074] In particular, the thermal evaluation of the plastic preform is carried out based on the selected image. Here, the image or image section is particularly selected according to the physical properties. That is, for example, if a specific length of the plastic preform is detected, the image section can be selected according to the detected length. Description of the Drawings

[0075] Further advantages and embodiments result from the drawings:

[0076] Wherein:

[0077] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the device according to the invention is shown;

[0078] Figure 2 A diagram of the first operating situation is shown;

[0079] Figure 3 A diagram of the second operating situation is shown; and

[0080] Figure 4 A diagram of the third operating situation is shown. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0081] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the device 1 according to the invention is shown. The device has a heating device 2, which is in the form of an infrared oven here, and the heating device is used to heat the plastic preform 10.

[0082] To this end, the heating device 2 has a transport device 22 for passing plastic preforms one by one past the heating device 24. These heating devices are preferably arranged in a fixed manner.

[0083] Reference numeral 4 denotes a forming device for forming the heated plastic preform into a plastic container, in particular a plastic bottle. The forming device 4 has a transport device 42, such as a blow molding wheel, at which a plurality of forming stations 43 (only one is shown) are arranged.

[0084] Each of these forming stations has a blow molding die inside which the plastic preform is expanded into a plastic bottle by applying a flowable medium, in particular blow molding air. In addition, each of these forming stations preferably has a stretching rod that can be inserted into the plastic preform in order to stretch the plastic preform in its longitudinal direction. In addition, each of these forming stations preferably has a valve device that makes it possible to apply different pressure levels to the plastic preform.

[0085] Reference numeral 46 denotes a control device for controlling the forming device 4. Preferably, this control device makes it possible to control each of the forming stations 43 and / or the forming process. Thus, it is feasible to control the process of applying the flowable medium to the plastic preform. In addition, however, it is also feasible to control the movement of the above-mentioned stretching rod or the movement of the above-mentioned stretching rod can be controlled.

[0086] Reference numeral 6 denotes the overall temperature detection device, which is suitable and intended to detect the temperature of the plastic preform heated by the heating device. Here, the temperature detection device is preferably constructed such that it can measure and / or detect the temperature of each individual plastic preform.

[0087] The temperature detection device has an image capturing device 62, for example in the form of a thermal imaging camera, which is suitable for capturing a thermal image of the plastic preform.

[0088] Reference numeral 8 denotes an evaluation device, which is suitable for evaluating the images captured by the image capturing device. Here, the image capturing device and / or the evaluation device are preferably configurable. That is, for example, it is possible to configure and / or control which part of the image captured by the image capturing device is to be evaluated.

[0089] In addition, a control device is preferably provided, which controls the image capturing via the image capturing device 62 and / or controls the image evaluation via the evaluation device 8.

[0090] Reference numeral 48 schematically represents a dispensing device which dispenses the forming station 43 for the images taken by the image capturing device 62, and which dispenses the forming station for the plastic preform relevant to the forming of the plastic preform whose temperature has been detected. In this way, it is feasible to perform personalized forming according to the temperature profile of the plastic preform.

[0091] Reference numeral 14 represents another detection device which is preferably arranged upstream of the temperature detection device 6 and which is used to detect the plastic preform, for example to detect its geometry. Preferably, this other detection device also has an image capturing device which is suitable and intended to capture a spatially resolved image of a single transported plastic preform.

[0092] Preferably, this other detection device 14 is suitable and intended to output at least one characteristic value characterizing the transported plastic preform.

[0093] Preferably, the image capture is controlled by the image capturing device, and / or the evaluation of the captured image is controlled by the value output by the detection device.

[0094] Reference numeral 12 represents a storage device storing reference data, such as reference data about the plastic preform to be processed.

[0095] If a plastic preform is detected, it can be checked whether it matches the plastic preform stored in the storage device 12. In this case, the evaluation device 8 can be instructed to evaluate only a specific image area, or the image capturing device can be instructed to capture a specific area.

[0096] Figure 2 The first case of temperature detection is shown. Here, the temperature of the first plastic preform is measured, which has the first relatively large length M1. Reference numeral L represents the longitudinal direction of the plastic preform. Reference numeral 10a represents the (to-be-heated) base of the plastic preform, and reference numeral 10b represents the (non-heated) mouth region of the plastic preform.

[0097] The image capturing device 62 (and, where appropriate, also the evaluation device) is controlled in such a way that the temperature along the entire length of the plastic preform is captured and / or evaluated.

[0098] Figure 3 Another measurement case is shown. In this figure, the plastic preform is significantly shorter and only extends over the length M2. Accordingly, the image evaluation and / or the image capture also extend over the correspondingly shorter area of the plastic preform.

[0099] In Figure 4In the case shown, a plastic preform made of a plastic material with recyclable material (shown by the dashed line) is being processed. In this case, the temperature detection can also be adjusted. That is, the temperature can be detected, for example, with a higher resolution directly below the support ring of the plastic preform.

[0100] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features essential to the invention disclosed in the application documents, provided that these features are novel, either individually or in combination, compared to the prior art. Further, it should be noted that features that may be advantageous in themselves are also described in a single drawing. A person skilled in the art will immediately recognize that a certain feature described in the drawing may be advantageous even if other features in that drawing are not used. Additionally, a person skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can also be obtained by combining several features shown in a single drawing or in different drawings.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for processing a plastic parison (10), the apparatus having a heating device (2) which is adapted and intended to heat the plastic parison (10), wherein the heating device (2) has: a transport device (22) which transports the plastic parison along a predetermined transport path; and at least one heating device (24) which is adapted and intended to heat the plastic parison transported by the transport device (22), and the apparatus having a forming device (4) which is arranged downstream of the heating device in the transport direction of the plastic parison (10) and which is adapted and intended to form the plastic parison heated by the heating device (2), wherein the apparatus has at least one temperature detection device (6) which is adapted and intended to detect the temperature of the plastic parison (10) heated by the heating device (2), wherein the temperature of the plastic parison (6) can be detected in a spatially resolved manner at least in the longitudinal direction (L) and / or the circumferential direction of the plastic parison, characterized in that, the temperature detection device has an image capture device (62) which is adapted and intended to capture a spatially resolved image of the plastic parison (10), wherein the image capture device (62) can be configured taking into account at least one characteristic parameter characterizing the plastic parison to be inspected.

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the apparatus (1) has a control device (46) for controlling the forming device, and the control device (46) is adapted and intended to control the forming device (4) as a function of the temperature of the plastic parison (10) detected by the temperature detection device.

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the characteristic parameter is selected from a group of parameters which includes the length of the plastic parison, the outer cross-section of the plastic parison, the inner cross-section of the plastic parison, the wall thickness of the plastic parison, the material and / or material composition of the plastic parison, the geometry of the plastic parison (10), the recyclable proportion of the material of the plastic parison (10), the weight of the plastic parison (10), the presence or absence of additives in the material of the plastic parison (10), the proportion of the additives in the material of the plastic parison (10) or the type of the additives in the material of the plastic parison (10).

4. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the image capture device (62) is at least one thermal imaging camera.

5. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the apparatus (1) has an evaluation device (8) which is adapted and intended to evaluate the image captured by the image capture device (62).

6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the image capture section of the image captured by the image capture device is selectable.

7. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) has a detection device (14), which is adapted and intended to detect at least one characteristic parameter characterizing the plastic preform (10).

8. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) has a control device, which controls the image acquisition device and / or the evaluation device based on the characteristic parameter.

9. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) has a storage device, and the control device is adapted and intended to store a link that assigns a control variable to a characteristic value of the plastic preform, and the control variable can be transmitted to the control device.

10. A temperature detection device (6), which is adapted and intended to detect the temperature of a plastic preform (10) heated by a heating device, wherein the temperature of the plastic preform (6) can be detected in a spatially resolved manner at least in the longitudinal direction (L) and / or the circumferential direction of the plastic preform, characterized in that the temperature detection device has an image acquisition device (62), which is adapted and intended to acquire a spatially resolved image of the plastic preform (10), and the image acquisition device is configurable.

11. A method for processing a plastic preform (10), wherein a heating device (2) heats the plastic preform (10), and the heating device (2) has: a transport device (22), which transports the plastic preform along a predetermined transport path; and at least one heating device (24), which heats the plastic preform transported by the transport device (22), and a forming device (4), which is arranged downstream of the heating device in the transport direction of the plastic preform (10), forms the plastic preform heated by the heating device (2) into a plastic container, and the device has at least one temperature detection device (6), which detects the temperature of the plastic preform (10) heated by the heating device (2), and the temperature of the plastic preform (6) is detected in a spatially resolved manner at least in the longitudinal direction (L) and / or the circumferential direction of the plastic preform, characterized in that the temperature detection device has an image acquisition device (62), which acquires at least one spatially resolved image of the plastic preform (10).

12. A method for detecting the temperature of a plastic preform, wherein a temperature detection device (6) detects the temperature of a plastic preform (10) heated by a heating device, and the temperature of the plastic preform (6) is detected in a spatially resolved manner at least in the longitudinal direction (L) and / or the circumferential direction of the plastic preform, characterized in that the temperature detection device has an image acquisition device (62), which acquires a spatially resolved image of the plastic preform (10), and the image acquisition device is configured.

13. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims 10 to 11, characterized in that, at least one characteristic parameter characterizing a physical property of the plastic parison is detected.

14. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims 11 to 12, characterized in that, at least one image of the images of the plastic parison detected by the image capturing device is selected.

Images