Forming station for forming thermally conditioned thermoplastic preforms

Abstract

The invention relates to a forming station for forming thermally conditioned thermoplastic preforms into containers. The invention further relates to a forming device and to a device for producing containers. The forming station (1) comprises a first mold half (11) and a second mold half (12) and opening means (6) arranged to adjust the mold halves (11, 12) between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, a forming cavity (3) for forming the preform (81) into the container (82) is formed between the first mold half (11) and the second mold half (12). Furthermore, a locking device (26) is provided, which is designed to generate a locking force between the first mold half (11) and the second mold half (12) when the mold halves (11, 12) are in the closed position. The first mold half (11) directly rests on a first mold carrier (15) of the forming station (1) and is connected to the first mold carrier (15). The second mold half (12) rests on a mold carrier shell (23) of the forming station (1) and is connected to the mold carrier shell (23), a second mold carrier (25) of the forming station (1) is arranged on the mold carrier shell (23), and a fluid pad (24) for supporting the mold carrier shell (23) on the second mold carrier (25) is arranged between the mold carrier shell (23) and the second mold carrier (25).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a forming station for forming thermally conditioned thermoplastic preforms into containers. The invention also relates to a forming device having a plurality of forming stations and a device for producing containers. Background Art

[0002] It is known to produce containers by blow molding preforms made of thermoplastic material, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), wherein the preforms are conveyed to different processing stations within a blow molding machine. A typical blow molding machine has a heating device for regulating the temperature of the preforms or for thermally conditioning them, and a molding device having at least one molding station, for example in the form of a blow molding station, in the region of which the previously temperature-conditioned preforms are expanded into containers.

[0003] The expansion is achieved, for example, by means of a pressurized gas, in particular compressed air, as a pressure medium, which is introduced into the preform to be expanded with a molding pressure. The process of such preform expansion is described in DE 4340291 A1. The basic structure of a blow molding station is described in DE 4212583 A1. According to a typical subsequent processing method, the container molded by blow molding is transported to a subsequent filling device and filled there with a predetermined product or filling material. However, it is also possible to manufacture a preform container and simultaneously fill it with a liquid filling material, which serves as a hydraulic pressure medium for expanding the preform or molding the container, and is supplied with molding and filling pressure, so that the corresponding preform is molded into a container while filling.

[0004] The possibilities for temperature control of preforms are described, for example, in DE 23 52 926 A1. Temperature control or thermal conditioning is understood here to mean heating the preform to a temperature suitable for forming and optionally applying a temperature profile in the longitudinal and / or circumferential direction of the preform. It is also known to form preforms into containers using the additional use of stretch rods.

[0005] A forming station of a forming device, in particular a blow-molding station, usually has a plurality of mold parts, in particular two mold halves, into which a heat-conditioned preform can be placed when the mold parts are in the open state. When the mold halves are in the closed state, the preform can be expanded into a container in the mold cavity formed between the mold halves.

[0006] EP 3103615 A1 discloses a blow mold having two mold halves that can be pivoted relative to each other. The mold halves can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position by pivoting between the mold halves. In the closed position, the mold halves are closed by a closure element through a positive-locking connection, thereby holding the mold halves together during the blow molding process.

[0007] WO 2018 / 197552 A1 discloses a molding station for molding plastic preforms, in which the pivotable mold halves rest directly on side supports. No mold carrier shell is provided. This allows for a compact design of the molding station.

[0008] However, a problem with known forming stations is that the mold halves usually require a lot of space. In addition, in the closed state, the mold halves are usually not arranged exactly against each other in the predetermined position, which can lead to unsatisfactory quality of the manufactured containers, such as the possibility of so-called parting lines. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The basic object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved solution which solves the above-mentioned problems. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a solution by which a smaller space requirement of the forming station can be achieved without reducing the quality of the container production.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a molding station according to claim 1. Thus, a molding station for molding thermally conditioned preforms made of thermoplastic, in particular PET, into containers is provided. The molding station comprises a first mold half and a second mold half, at least one of which is pivotally arranged about a pivot axis so that the mold halves can pivot relative to each other. The molding station also comprises an opening device configured to pivot at least one mold half about the pivot axis, wherein the opening device is configured to adjust the mold halves between an open position (in which the first and second mold halves are pivotally arranged apart from each other) and a closed position (in which the first and second mold halves are in a closed position against each other). In the closed position, a molding cavity for molding the preform into a container is formed between the first and second mold halves. The molding station also comprises a locking device configured to generate a locking force between the first and second mold halves when the mold halves are in the closed position, thereby pressing the first and second mold halves against each other.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is provided that the first half mold rests directly on the first mold carrier of the molding station and is connected to the first mold carrier, and the second half mold rests on the mold carrier shell of the molding station and is connected to the mold carrier shell, wherein the mold carrier shell is arranged on the second mold carrier of the molding station, and a fluid cushion is provided between the mold carrier shell and the second mold carrier for supporting the mold carrier shell on the second mold carrier.

[0012] Thus, the first mold half is arranged directly on the first mold carrier, with no mold carrier shell between the first mold half and the first mold carrier, while a mold carrier shell is arranged between the second mold half and the second mold carrier. A fluid cushion is provided between the mold carrier shell and the second mold carrier to support the mold carrier shell on the second mold carrier.

[0013] The forming station can be configured as a blow molding station, in particular a forming station in which the preform is formed into a container by compressed air. However, it is also conceivable that the forming station is configured to expand the preform or form the container by means of a hydraulic pressure medium, thereby producing the forming.

[0014] The forming station comprises a first mold half and a second mold half, which are pivotable relative to each other about a pivot axis. Thus, one or both mold halves can be pivoted about the pivot axis. The pivot axis preferably extends along the lateral ends of the mold halves, so that the mold halves are preferably configured to be openable like a book.

[0015] The mold halves are pivoted relative to each other by means of an opening mechanism. The opening mechanism allows the mold halves to be adjusted between an open position (in which they are open) and a closed position (in which they are closed). In the closed position, the inner surfaces of the mold halves form a forming cavity. A forming cavity is specifically a cavity that forms the negative mold for the container to be produced. Within the forming cavity, the preform can be formed by expanding it against the inner surfaces of the mold halves, thereby forming the container.

[0016] Because high pressures are present inside the mold halves during the molding process, a locking mechanism is required to ensure a secure closure and prevent accidental opening. Such a mechanism is known as a mold locking device. This locking device ensures a secure closure by applying a locking force between the mold halves.

[0017] The fluid cushion arranged between the mold carrier shell and the second mold carrier particularly advantageously allows for position compensation of the second mold half when the mold halves are closed, thereby ensuring that the mold halves are precisely positioned in the position predetermined for this purpose in the closed position. The fluid cushion can be pressurized with a fluid, in particular a gas, particularly preferably compressed air. The fluid cushion is preferably designed as a cushion for inflation, in particular as an air cushion for inflation. To pressurize the fluid cushion with compressed air, compressed air can be drawn from a compressed air system, which also provides the compressed air for blowing the preforms into containers.

[0018] The arrangement without a mold carrier shell on the side of the first mold half and the first mold carrier results in a considerable space saving, since no space for a mold carrier shell is required on this side of the forming station.

[0019] On the other hand, a mold carrier shell is arranged on the side of the second mold half. Due to the mold carrier shell being provided on this side of the forming station, a fluid cushion can be arranged between the mold carrier shell and the second mold carrier, thereby achieving particularly good and positionally accurate closing behavior.

[0020] One advantage of this type of forming station is that it provides an overall more compact forming station with less space requirement. Therefore, with the same number of forming stations, a smaller blow wheel diameter is required compared to conventional forming stations. Furthermore, more forming stations can be used with the same blow wheel diameter, which allows for lower peripheral speeds and thus lower centrifugal forces compared to conventional forming stations.

[0021] A further advantage of such a forming station is that, despite the compact overall design of the forming station, a particularly high production quality is ensured, since a positionally precise closing action can be achieved by the fluid cushion.

[0022] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the locking device is designed to generate the locking force by means of compressed air provided between the mold carrier shell and the second mold carrier, wherein the locking device is designed to generate the locking force by applying compressed air to the fluid cushion.

[0023] In addition to the position compensation function of the fluid cushion, it is also preferred that the fluid cushion also exert a locking force between the mold halves. To this end, compressed air can be applied to the fluid cushion. The compressed air then generates the locking force. In this case, the second mold carrier is preferably fixed in a specific position in the closed position so that pressurizing the fluid cushion with compressed air does not cause the second mold carrier to change its position. Instead, it pushes the mold carrier shell toward the second mold half, thereby pressing the second mold half against the first mold half.

[0024] One advantage of this locking device is that it can ensure reliable mold locking and can reliably avoid the generation of parting lines.

[0025] Particularly preferably, only one of the two mold halves is configured to be pivotable about a pivot axis, while the other mold half is fixedly arranged relative to the pivot axis. The mold half fixedly arranged relative to the pivot axis is particularly not pivotable about the pivot axis.

[0026] Preferably, only the second mold half is configured to be pivotable about the pivot axis, while the first mold half is arranged fixedly relative to the pivot axis.

[0027] It is particularly preferred if the mold carrier shell is arranged on that mold half which is pivotable about a pivot axis.

[0028] Therefore, preferably, only that half mold that is arranged with the mold carrier shell can be pivoted about the pivot axis.In this way, can in a particularly advantageous manner, by the fluid cushion support of the mold carrier shell to compensate for possible position deviations when pivoting the second mold half.

[0029] Preferably, at least one mold carrier has a ribbed outer contour. This allows the mold carriers to withstand high forces while allowing adjacent mold carriers to fit into one another, particularly if the ribs are arranged and designed so that the ribs of one mold carrier correspond to the grooves of the adjacent mold carrier, so that the grooves of one mold carrier can accommodate the ribs of the adjacent mold carrier. This allows adjacent molding stations to be arranged even closer together in a particularly advantageous manner, thereby enabling the arrangement of more molding stations on the molding device.

[0030] It is particularly preferred that the opening device has a toggle lever arrangement with at least two lever arms.

[0031] A toggle lever assembly is particularly an assembly consisting of at least two lever arms articulated to one another, wherein a large stroke with low pressure can be converted into a small stroke with high pressure, and vice versa, depending on the length of the lever arms or the length ratio of the two lever arms to one another. A further feature of the toggle lever assembly is that this transmission ratio changes continuously during the movement, so that, for example, a large stroke with low pressure can be achieved first and then a small stroke with high pressure in a single movement.

[0032] At least two lever arms are preferably connected to each other via a hinge. Preferably, one of the lever arms is connected to the drive device and the other lever arm is connected to one of the mold carriers, in particular the second mold carrier.

[0033] Particularly preferably, the opening device has a drive configured as an electric drive, which is configured to generate a locking force between the mold halves via a toggle lever assembly. Preferably, a torque can be transmitted to the lever arm via a drive shaft of the drive device, thereby applying the locking force via the lever arm.

[0034] Preferably, the toggle lever assembly comprises a first lever arm, which is pivotally connected to the second mold carrier, and a second lever arm, which is connected to the drive device, wherein the first lever arm and the second lever arm are pivotally connected to one another, wherein the lever arms particularly preferably form an angle of between 150° and 179° in the closed position. In the open position, this angle is preferably between 10° and 70°, particularly preferably between 20° and 50°. The aforementioned angle range can particularly advantageously ensure that a maximum pressure can be generated between the mold halves.

[0035] It is particularly preferred that the toggle lever assembly is located before the dead center of the toggle lever assembly in the closed position of the mold halves and preferably in any position of the mold halves.

[0036] Dead center occurs when the two lever arms of a toggle lever assembly lie along a common straight line, or when the axes of rotation of the hinge point lie in a straight line. Therefore, the dead center of the toggle lever assembly is reached at an angle of 180°. The pressure on the mold halves that can generate the locking force is greatest when, starting from the open position, the two lever arms are facing each other before the dead center. It is best to avoid exceeding this dead center so that sufficient pressure can be applied to generate the locking force. This also facilitates opening the blow mold halves, as the dead center does not need to be passed.

[0037] Particularly preferably, the forming station comprises a bottom mold part which, in the closed state of the mold halves, forms a forming cavity together with the mold halves. Preferably, the side of the bottom mold part facing the forming cavity, in the closed state, forms the forming cavity together with the inner surface of the mold halves, and this side comprises the negative form of the container bottom to be produced.

[0038] Preferably, the back mold part can be moved by bottom drive relative to the half mold.Here, the back mold part preferably comes into place to form the forming cavity by lifting and moves away from the forming cavity again by descending.

[0039] Particularly preferably, the mold halves and / or the bottom mold parts are temperature-controllable, wherein at least one mold carrier and / or mold carrier shell has at least one temperature control connection.

[0040] The bottom mould part is preferably coolable so that the container bottom can cool faster when it contacts the bottom mould part and reach its required stability faster. For the same reason, it is also preferred that the mould half is coolable.

[0041] The mold halves can preferably be heated to a higher temperature, for example above 90°C, in particular when performing a so-called "heat setting process." A "heat setting process" means keeping the container wall at a higher temperature for a longer period of time to allow stresses in the container material to be released. This "heat setting process" is particularly useful for containers that are later to be filled with hot-fill products.

[0042] The temperature of the mold halves and / or bottom mold parts can be controlled in particular by applying thermal energy to the side of the mold halves and / or bottom mold parts facing away from the mold cavity, for example by means of channels arranged there through which a hot or cold fluid flows, or by means of electric heaters or, for example, Peltier elements arranged there.

[0043] The first mold carrier is particularly preferably temperature-controlled, wherein the first mold carrier preferably has at least one temperature control connection for introducing a temperature-control fluid into the first mold carrier. The first mold carrier may also have multiple, in particular two, temperature control connections for introducing a temperature-control fluid into the first mold carrier.

[0044] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the mold carrier shell is temperature-controlled, wherein the mold carrier shell preferably has at least one temperature control connection for introducing a temperature-control fluid into the mold carrier shell. The mold carrier shell may also have multiple, in particular two, temperature control connections for introducing a temperature-control fluid into and / or out of the mold carrier shell.

[0045] It is also conceivable that the fluid cushion is temperature-controlled. The fluid cushion can then in particular have a temperature control connection.

[0046] According to another aspect of the invention, the task mentioned at the outset is achieved by a forming device for forming heat-conditioned preforms into containers, which forming device comprises a plurality of forming stations as described herein, wherein the forming device is preferably constructed in the form of a forming wheel, for example a blow molding wheel, and the plurality of forming stations are arranged on the forming wheel and can be moved on a circular path or track by the forming wheel.

[0047] Preferably, at at least one forming station, preferably at all forming stations, the mold half arranged fixedly relative to the pivot axis is arranged radially further outward than the mold half arranged pivotably about the pivot axis.

[0048] Preferably, at at least one forming station (preferably at all forming stations), the parting plane between the first mold half and the second mold half is arranged non-parallel to the radial direction, in particular slightly inclined. Here, the radial direction particularly refers to the direction radially outward from the axis of rotation of the forming wheel.

[0049] In this way, adjacent forming stations can be arranged closer together in a particularly advantageous manner, so that more forming stations can be arranged on one forming device.

[0050] According to another aspect of the invention, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a device for producing containers, in particular PET bottles, from preforms, comprising a temperature control device with a heating device for thermally conditioning the preforms, and a forming device as described herein.

[0051] With regard to advantages, implementation variants and implementation details of the different aspects of the solution described herein and their respective possible developments, reference is also made to the description of the corresponding features, details and advantages as well as to the other aspects and their developments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] The preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings, elements that are identical or have substantially identical or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the drawings:

[0053] Figure 1 : Cross-section of the forming station;

[0054] Figure 2 : Figure 1a first perspective view of the forming station shown;

[0055] Figure 3 : Figure 1 a second perspective view of the forming station shown;

[0056] Figure 4a : Schematic top view of another embodiment of a forming station in an open position;

[0057] Figure 4b : Figure 4a A schematic top view of the forming station shown in the closed position;

[0058] Figure 5 : A highly schematic view of an apparatus for manufacturing a container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Figures 1 to 3 An exemplary forming station 1 is shown. Figure 1 A cross-section of a forming station 1 is shown, which is configured to form a container 82 from a heat-conditioned preform (preferably made of PET). The forming station 1 comprises a first mold half 11 and a second mold half 12. The first mold half 11 is arranged fixedly relative to a pivot axis S. The second mold half 12 is configured to be pivotable about the pivot axis S.

[0060] An opening device 6 is provided, configured to pivot the second mold half 12 about a pivot axis S. When the second mold half 12 pivots about the pivot axis S, the mold halves 11, 12 pivot relative to one another. The opening device 6 thus allows the mold halves 11, 12 to be adjusted between an open position (in which the first mold half 11, 12 is pivoted apart from one another) and a closed position (in which the first mold half 11, 12 rests against one another). In the closed position, a forming cavity 3 for forming a preform into a container is formed between the first mold half 11, 12. The opening device 6 includes a drive device 4 configured as an electric drive, which can be used to move a toggle lever assembly 7 of the opening device 6 to adjust the mold halves between the open and closed positions. The toggle lever assembly 7 includes two lever arms 9, 10.

[0061] Furthermore, a locking device 26 is provided which is designed to generate a locking force between the first mold half 11 and the second mold half 12 in the closed position of the mold halves 11, 12, by which the first mold half 11 and the second mold half 12 are pressed against each other. In the embodiment described here, this is achieved by pressing the second mold half 12 against the first mold half 11.

[0062] The first mold half 11 rests directly on the first mold carrier 15 of the molding station 1. Furthermore, the first mold half 11 is connected to the first mold carrier 15. No mold carrier shell is arranged between the first mold half 11 and the first mold carrier 15. The second mold half 12 rests directly on the mold carrier shell 23 of the molding station 1. Furthermore, the second mold half 12 is connected to the mold carrier shell 23. The second mold carrier 25 of the molding station 1 is arranged on the mold carrier shell 23. A fluid cushion in the form of an air cushion 24 is arranged between the mold carrier shell 23 and the second mold carrier 25 to support the mold carrier shell 23 on the second mold carrier 25.

[0063] The locking device 26 can generate a locking force by providing compressed air between the mold carrier shell 23 and the second mold carrier 25. Here, the generation of the locking force is achieved by pressurizing the air cushion 24 with compressed air. Pneumatic locking is achieved by applying compressed air to the air cushion 24, in particular by applying pressure at positions 26a, 26b, and 26c. The mold carrier shell 23 is pressed toward the second half mold 12 by the compressed air between the mold carrier shell 23 and the second half mold 12 is thereby pressed toward the first half mold 11, so that the half molds 11 and 12 are locked with a locking force. When the locking force exists between the half molds 11 and 12, the molding process of molding the preform into a container can be carried out by applying blow molding pressure to the preform in the molding cavity 3. The locking force can prevent the half molds 11 and 12 from opening accidentally. Therefore, even during the molding process, the half molds 11 and 12 remain tightly pressed in the closed position.

[0064] A bottom mold part 33 is arranged between the mold halves 11, 12 in the lower region of the mold halves 11, 12 and is movable relative to the mold halves 11, 12 by a bottom drive 32. The bottom mold part 33 delimits the molding cavity 3 in the lower region, i.e., in the region forming the bottom region of the container 82 produced in the molding cavity 3.

[0065] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The molding station 1 is shown in a perspective view from obliquely below. The first mold carrier 15 is designed to be temperature-controlled. It has two temperature control connections 15a, 15b for introducing a temperature-control fluid into the first mold carrier 15. These temperature control connections 15a, 15b are arranged at the lower end of the first mold carrier 15. The mold carrier shell 23 is also temperature-controlled. It also has two temperature control connections 23a, 23b for introducing a temperature-control fluid into the mold carrier shell 23.

[0066] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 The shown perspective view of the molding station 1 from obliquely above shows the position of the pivot axis S, about which the second mold half 12 can be pivoted.

[0067] Figure 4a A schematic top view of a further embodiment of a forming station 1 is shown in the open position. Figure 4b Show Figure 4a The forming station 1 is shown in the closed position.

[0068] Figure 4a and Figure 4b The molding station 1 shown has a first mold half 11 and a second mold half 12. The first mold half 11 is arranged fixedly relative to a pivot axis S. The second mold half 12 is configured to be pivotable about the pivot axis S. An opening device 6 is provided, which is configured to pivot the second mold half 12 about the pivot axis S. Thus, the mold halves 11, 12 can be adjusted by the opening device 6 between an open position (in which the first mold half 11 and the second mold half 12 are arranged pivotally separated from each other) and a closed position (in which the first mold half 11 and the second mold half 12 are closed against each other).

[0069] The opening device 6 has a drive device 4 designed as an electric drive with a drive shaft rotatable about an axis D, via which a toggle lever assembly 7 of the opening device 6 can be moved to adjust the mold halves between an open position and a closed position. The toggle lever assembly 7 has two lever arms 9, 10, which are connected to each other via a joint R2.

[0070] In the embodiment shown here (with Figures 1 to 3 (Unlike the embodiment shown, the opening device 6 and the locking device 26 are both implemented by a toggle lever assembly 7, which is driven by an electrically driven drive device 4. When the mold halves 11 and 12 are in the closed position, the locking device 26 applies a mechanical force to the second mold half 12 via the toggle lever assembly 7, thereby pressing the second mold half 12 against the first mold half 11, thereby generating a locking force between the mold halves 11 and 12. Here, the toggle lever assembly 7 is located before the dead point of the toggle lever assembly 7 when the mold halves 11 and 12 are in the closed position, as shown in FIG. Figure 4b As shown in the figure according to angle a, the angle is less than 180°. In this way, a mechanical force for pressing the half molds 11, 12 together can be provided even when the half molds 11, 12 are in the closed position.

[0071] The first mold half 11 rests directly on the first mold carrier 15 of the molding station 1. The first mold half 11 is connected to the first mold carrier 15. The second mold half 12 rests directly on the mold carrier shell 23 of the molding station 1. The second mold half 12 is connected to the mold carrier shell 23. A second mold carrier 25 is arranged between the mold carrier shell 23 and the hinge R1 of the toggle assembly. A fluid cushion 24 in the form of an air cushion 24 is provided between the mold carrier shell 23 and the second mold carrier 25 for supporting the mold carrier shell 23 on the second mold carrier 25. The second mold carrier 25 and the air cushion 24 are here only represented strongly schematically by a line. The second mold carrier 25 and the air cushion 24 can be, for example, Figures 1 to 3 The embodiment shown is constructed as shown.

[0072] The locking device 26 can be used to generate a locking force via the toggle lever assembly 7. The locking force is generated by the drive 4 transmitting a torque to the lever arm 10, thereby generating a force between the mold halves 11, 12 via the lever mechanisms 9, 10. The air cushion 24 is preferably used only for position compensation, so that the mold halves 11, 12 are pressed against each other in the correct position.

[0073] Figure 5 A highly schematic view of an apparatus for producing containers 82 is shown. Preforms 81 are transferred to a feed wheel 40 in the direction of arrow 40a, which rotates as indicated by arrow 400. The preforms 81 are then transferred by the feed wheel 40 to a temperature control device 50, which has heating elements 51 for thermally conditioning the preforms 81. The preforms 81 are moved along the heating elements 51 in the direction of rotation indicated by arrow 500 and then transferred to a transfer wheel 60, which rotates in the direction of arrow 600. From the transfer wheel 60, the preforms 81 are transferred to a forming device 30. The preforms 81 are formed into containers 82 by the forming stations 31 of the forming device 30. After the containers 82 are formed, they are transferred to a removal wheel 70, which rotates in the direction of arrow 700. The containers 82 are then transported away in the direction of arrow 70a, for example, by another conveyor wheel, for example to a filling device for filling the containers 82.

[0074] Reference Signs List

[0075] 1 forming station

[0076] 3 Molding cavity

[0077] 4 drive unit

[0078] 6. Turn on the device

[0079] 7. Elbow lever assembly

[0080] 9First lever arm

[0081] 10 Second lever arm

[0082] 11 First half mold

[0083] 12 Second half mold

[0084] 15 first mold carrier

[0085] 15a Temperature control interface of the first mold carrier

[0086] 15b Temperature control interface of the first mold carrier

[0087] 23 mold carrier shell

[0088] 23a Temperature control interface of mold carrier shell

[0089] 23b mold carrier shell temperature control interface

[0090] 24 Fluid cushions, especially air cushions

[0091] 25 second mold carrier

[0092] 26 locking device

[0093] 26a pneumatic locking

[0094] 26b pneumatic locking

[0095] 26c pneumatic locking

[0096] 30 molding device

[0097] 32 bottom drive device

[0098] 33 bottom mold parts

[0099] 40 feed wheel

[0100] 40a Feed direction

[0101] 50 temperature control device

[0102] 51 Heating element of thermostat

[0103] 60 transfer wheels

[0104] 70 take out wheel

[0105] 81 prefabricated parts

[0106] 82 containers

[0107] 400 Feed wheel rotation direction

[0108] 500 Rotation direction of the thermostat

[0109] 600 Rotation direction of transfer wheel

[0110] 700 Rotation direction of the removal wheel

[0111] 70a outbound direction

[0112] aThe angle between the first lever arm and the second lever arm

[0113] D Drive shaft axis

[0114] S pivot axis

[0115] Hinge of R1 toggle assembly

[0116] Hinge of the R2 toggle assembly.

Claims

1. A forming station (1) for forming a container (82) from a heat-conditioned preform (81) made of thermoplastic, in particular PET, comprising a first mold half (11) and a second mold half (12), wherein at least one of the mold halves (11, 12) is pivotably arranged about a pivot axis (S) so that the mold halves (11, 12) can pivot relative to each other; an opening device (6) configured to pivot at least one mold half (11, 12) about a pivot axis (S), wherein the opening device (6) is arranged to adjust the mold halves (11, 12) between an open position, in which the first mold half (11) and the second mold half (12) are arranged to be pivoted apart from each other, and a closed position, in which the first mold half (11) and the second mold half (12) are closed against each other, wherein in the closed position a molding cavity (3) for molding a preform (81) into a container (82) is formed between the first mold half (11) and the second mold half (12); a locking device (26) which is designed to bring about a locking force between the first mold half (11) and the second mold half (12) in the closed position of the mold halves (11, 12), by which the first mold half (11) and the second mold half (12) are pressed against each other, It is characterized in that The first mold half (11) rests directly on and is connected to the first mold carrier (15) of the molding station (1), and The second half mold (12) rests on the mold carrier shell (23) of the molding station (1) and is connected to the mold carrier shell (23), wherein the second mold carrier (25) of the molding station (1) is arranged on the mold carrier shell (23), and a fluid cushion (24) is arranged between the mold carrier shell (23) and the second mold carrier (25) for supporting the mold carrier shell (23) on the second mold carrier (25).

2. Forming station according to the preceding claim, in, The locking device (26) is configured to generate a locking force by providing compressed air between the mold carrier shell (23) and the second mold carrier (25), The locking device (26) is configured to generate a locking force by loading the fluid cushion (24) with compressed air.

3. A forming station according to any one of the preceding claims, in, Only one of the two mold halves (11, 12) is configured to be pivotable about a pivot axis (S), while the other mold half is configured to be fixed relative to the pivot axis (S). Therein, preferably only the second mold half (12) is configured to be pivotable about the pivot axis (S), while the first mold half (11) is configured to be fixed relative to the pivot axis (S).

4. Forming station according to the preceding claim, in, The mold carrier shell (23) is arranged on that mold half which is configured to be pivotable about a pivot axis (S).

5. A forming station according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The opening device (6) has a toggle lever assembly (7) with at least two lever arms (9, 10).

6. Forming station according to the preceding claim, in, The opening device (6) has a drive device (4) designed as an electric drive, which is designed to bring about a locking force between the mold halves via a toggle lever assembly (7). In which, the toggle lever assembly (7) preferably has a first lever arm (9) which is pivotally connected to the second mold carrier (25) and a second lever arm (10) which is connected to the drive device (4), wherein the first lever arm (9) and the second lever arm (10) are pivotally connected to each other, wherein the lever arms particularly preferably form an angle (a) between 150° and 179° in the closed position.

7. Forming station according to any of the two preceding claims, in, The toggle assembly (7) is located before the dead center of the toggle assembly (7) in the closed position of the mold halves (11, 12) and preferably in any position of the mold halves.

8. A forming station according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The molding station (1) has a bottom mold part (33) which, in the closed state of the mold halves (11, 12), forms a molding cavity (3) together with the mold halves (11, 12). The bottom mold part (33) can be moved relative to the mold halves (11, 12) by means of a bottom drive (32).

9. A forming station according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The mold halves (11, 12) are temperature-adjustable and / or the bottom mold part (33) is temperature-adjustable, In this case, at least one mold carrier (15, 25) and / or mold carrier shell (23) has at least one temperature control connection.

10. A forming station according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The first mold carrier (15) is temperature-controlled, wherein the first mold carrier (15) preferably has at least one temperature-control connection (15a, 15b) for introducing a temperature-control fluid into the first mold carrier (15), and / or The mold carrier shell (23) is temperature-controlled, wherein the mold carrier shell (23) preferably has at least one temperature control connection (23a, 23b) for introducing a temperature control fluid into the mold carrier shell (23).

11. A forming device (30) for forming a container (82) from a heat-conditioned preform (81), comprising a plurality of forming stations (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; in, Preferably, the shaping device (30) is designed in the form of a blowing wheel, and the plurality of shaping stations (1) are arranged on the blowing wheel and can be moved on a circular path by the blowing wheel.

12. A device for producing containers (82), in particular PET bottles, from preforms, comprising a temperature control device (50) having a heating device (51) for thermally controlling the preform (81); and 14. The forming device (30) according to the preceding claim.

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