Preform thermal conditioning unit with integrated bunker

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal conditioning unit (16) of a preform (4), comprising: a chamber (23) in which the preform (4) is thermally conditioned; a radiation source (22) extending inside the chamber (23); a conveying device (26) extending inside said chamber and comprising a first gripping member (30) for moving the preforms along a conveying path (T) wherein at least a portion of the conveying path extends opposite the radiation source, characterized in that it further comprises at least one bin (57) extending inside the chamber (23) opposite at least a portion of said conveying path (T).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat conditioning unit for a container manufacturing machine, particularly a thermoplastic bottle, which manufactures containers, especially thermoplastic bottles, from preheated preforms by blow molding or stretch blow molding. The heat conditioning unit includes a hopper arranged inside a chamber of the heat conditioning unit, thereby allowing operation on the heat conditioning unit.

[0002] This invention relates to a heat conditioning unit for manufacturing preforms, particularly thermoplastic preforms, of containers, comprising:

[0003] - A chamber in which the preformed part is thermally conditioned;

[0004] - A radiation source, extending inside the cavity, capable of thermally conditioning the preform;

[0005] - A conveying device extending inside a cavity and including clamping members for moving a preform along a conveying path in a horizontal plane, wherein at least a portion of the conveying path extends opposite the radiation source. Background Technology

[0006] Container manufacturing equipment, particularly thermoplastic bottle manufacturing equipment, is known from the prior art. It includes a heat conditioning unit and a molding unit, wherein the molding unit performs molding, in particular, by injecting pressurized fluid into a preform.

[0007] Generally, the aim is to reduce the duration of equipment downtime, which is necessary to allow for the replacement of specific components, such as molds, clamping components of heat treatment units, and transfer fixtures, which are related to the specifications of the formed containers.

[0008] This is especially true when starting the manufacture of a new container. In fact, various replacement operations are required at this time to replace certain custom components associated with a given preform, which itself corresponds to the container to be manufactured.

[0009] However, such a solution is not satisfactory because the total time required to perform such operations is particularly long, and therefore it is costly to stop the entire manufacturing process once it is usually halted.

[0010] In addition, the applicant's patent application WO201317411 is also known, which discloses a container manufacturing apparatus, the apparatus comprising at least:

[0011] - A preform heat treatment unit having a first vertical side surface; and

[0012] - A forming unit for forming a container from a heat-conditioned preform, which has a second vertical side;

[0013] The device includes at least one robot and at least one hopper arranged to face a first vertical side and a second vertical side, allowing selective intervention via the first vertical side and / or via the second vertical side, thereby enabling operation on a heat conditioning unit and / or a forming unit.

[0014] In other words, the arrangement of the robot and the hopper in this device allows for intervention in both units.

[0015] However, such a hopper layout cannot achieve optimized intervention time and reduced footprint. Since the hoppers must be able to serve both units, this means they must be located at a certain distance from both the heat treatment and molding units. They cannot be positioned near one unit without inconveniencing the other; otherwise, the number of hoppers would need to be increased.

[0016] Therefore, there is a significant need for thermal conditioning units to keep productivity time and specification change or maintenance time within acceptable limits, while improving equipment compactness. Summary of the Invention

[0017] Therefore, the present invention proposes a heat conditioning unit for manufacturing preforms of containers, particularly thermoplastic preforms, the heat conditioning unit comprising:

[0018] - A chamber in which the preformed part is thermally conditioned;

[0019] - A radiation source, extending inside the cavity, capable of thermally conditioning the preform;

[0020] - A conveying device, extending inside the cavity and including a first clamping member, for moving the preform along a closed conveying path, at least a portion of which extends opposite the radiation source.

[0021] The characteristic feature is that the heat regulation unit further includes at least one hopper, which extends inside the chamber opposite at least a portion of the conveying path and is capable of storing at least one clamping member.

[0022] This thermal conditioning unit can reduce operation time, especially the time for specification changes, thanks to the arrangement of the hopper relative to the conveying path of the clamping components.

[0023] This thermal regulation unit can also reduce the footprint compared to known arrangements.

[0024] According to another feature of the thermal regulation unit implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the closed transport path includes at least: a section called the outgoing section, a section called the return section, and two bends connecting the outgoing section and the return section, with the radiation source extending opposite at least one outgoing section and / or the return section.

[0025] According to another feature of the heat regulation unit implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the hopper is arranged opposite at least one bend in the conveying path.

[0026] According to another feature of the heat regulation unit implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the chamber includes at least one vertical partition adjacent to the transport path.

[0027] According to another feature of the heat regulation unit implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the chamber includes a first vertical partition oriented longitudinally, adjacent to the outgoing section of the conveying path, extending into a second vertical partition oriented laterally, adjacent to a bend in the conveying path, and further extending into a third vertical partition oriented longitudinally, generally parallel to the first partition and adjacent to the return section of the conveying path.

[0028] According to another feature of the heat regulation unit implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the hopper is installed to be movable between a so-called "working" position and a so-called "retracted" position, in which the hopper extends outside the chamber for replacement of the clamping member, and in the retracted position, the hopper extends inside the chamber for maintenance operations and / or specification change operations.

[0029] According to another feature of the heat regulation unit implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, at least one of the partitions of the chamber includes a retractable plate to allow the hopper to move from its working position to its retracted position and in the reverse direction.

[0030] According to another feature of the heat conditioning unit implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the heat conditioning unit includes at least one hopper capable of storing a second clamping member opposite at least one robot.

[0031] According to another feature of the heat regulation unit implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the hopper includes a vertical plate adjacent to a bend in the conveying path, the vertical plate including a number of holes in which clamping members are accommodated.

[0032] According to another feature of the heat regulation unit implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the hopper includes a drum with holes on the periphery of the drum for receiving clamping components.

[0033] This heat treatment unit also reduces the time required for installation and placement at the customer's site. In fact, the heat treatment unit, including the hopper, is shipped to the customer as a single unit, unlike the aforementioned prior art arrangements.

[0034] The thermal regulation unit also reduces the footprint because all structural components that allow operation are located within the chamber of the thermal regulation unit. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as you read the following detailed description, which will be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a top-view overall schematic diagram of a container production equipment, and more particularly, a top-view overall schematic diagram of a heat regulation unit and a robot according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 These are detailed drawings of the preform;

[0038] Figure 3 It is the thermal regulation unit along Figure 1 A sectional view of section AA;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the silo in the retracted position within the heat regulation unit chamber;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the silo in the working position within the heat regulation unit chamber. Detailed Implementation

[0041] In the following description, elements with the same structure or similar function will be represented by the same reference numerals.

[0042] The coordinate system (L, V, T) shown in the attached figure is used in a non-restrictive manner in the longitudinal, vertical, and transverse directions.

[0043] By convention, the longitudinal and transverse directions are fixed relative to the molding device, so that the occupied open or closed position has no effect on these directions.

[0044] The terms "front" and "back" will also be used in a non-restrictive manner with reference to the longitudinal direction, "up" and "down" with reference to the vertical direction, and finally "left" or "right" and "inner" or "outer" with reference to the transverse direction.

[0045] exist Figure 1 The diagram schematically illustrates an apparatus 1 for mass production of thermoplastic material containers 2 from preformed parts 4.

[0046] In the following description, the preform 4 and the container 2 move from upstream to downstream along the production path in the production equipment. The preform 4 is moved by the conveying devices, which are detailed below, arranged in a row along the production path.

[0047] In a non-limiting manner, the container herein is a bottle. Thermoplastic materials are, for example, formed of polyethylene terephthalate, which is referred to hereinafter by its abbreviation "PET".

[0048] Reference Figure 2 Such a preform 4 has in Figure 2 The central axis is indicated by the vertical axis "X". The preform has a cylindrical body 6 with tubular walls 7, which is closed at one axial end by a bottom 8 and open at the other end by a neck 10, which is also tubular. The neck 10 is defined downward by a flange 12 and upward by an upper edge called an opening 14.

[0049] The neck 10 typically takes its final shape, while the body 6 of the preform is designed to undergo relatively large deformation during the molding process to form the final container 2.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, the container manufacturing equipment 1 includes at least a heat conditioning unit 16 and a molding unit 18.

[0051] The heat conditioning unit 16, also known as a furnace, allows a series of preforms to be heated to a reference temperature. The reference temperature is selected such that the body of each preform is in a plastic state at the outlet of the heat conditioning unit 16, thereby allowing the heated body 6 of the preform to deform to form a container 2 in the molding unit. The reference temperature is between the glass transition temperature and crystallization temperature of the plastic material of the preform. In the case of PET, the reference temperature is, for example, close to 110°C. The value of the reference temperature can vary depending on the product to be filled into the container or on the filling technique used for the container. Therefore, the reference temperature is different, for example, for hot-filled products or for carbonated products.

[0052] according to Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the heat conditioning unit 16 is a continuous pass-through furnace in which the preform 4 is conveyed to be exposed to multiple heating radiation sources 22.

[0053] For this purpose, the heat conditioning unit 16 includes a conveying device for conveying the preform, which circulates in the chamber 23 along the conveying path T between the inlet 25 and the outlet 27 and is located in the horizontal plane B.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, the conveying device includes a series of clamping members 30 mounted on the conveyor chain 28, which are capable of gripping the preform, particularly by fitting the neck of the preform.

[0055] The conveying device also includes a first guide wheel 36 and a second guide wheel 38 for guiding the conveyor chain 28, each rotatably mounted on the base frame (not shown) of the heat treatment unit about corresponding vertical axes "Z2, Z3". The conveyor chain 28 engages around the two guide wheels 36, 38, thus forming a closed loop. At least one of the two guide wheels, called the drive wheel, is driven by a motor to rotate, causing the conveyor chain 28 to move, thereby moving the clamping member along the conveying path. The guide wheels 36, 38 rotate counterclockwise, as shown in the image. Figure 1 As indicated by the middle arrow.

[0056] In another embodiment, not shown, the conveying device includes, for example, a series of clamping members, each capable of supporting a preform, mounted on a linear motor-type navette that circulates along the conveying path in a magnetic closed loop. The movement of each navette is independently controlled by a control unit (not shown).

[0057] At least a portion of the clamping member 30 is complementary to the preform 4, particularly to the geometry of the neck, in order to grip them by means of a kit.

[0058] The preformed part circulates along the conveying path T that forms a closed loop.

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, the transport path T includes at least one segment called the outbound segment 39, one segment called the return segment 41, and two bends 43 and 45 connecting the outbound segment and the return segment.

[0060] Therefore, the transport path T of the preform has a "U" shape.

[0061] Chamber 23 includes at least one vertical partition adjacent to the transport path T.

[0062] Here, chamber 23 includes a longitudinally oriented first vertical partition 47 adjacent to the outgoing section 39 of the conveying path T, the first vertical partition extending into a transversely oriented second vertical partition 49 adjacent to the bend 43 of the conveying path, and the second vertical partition further extending into a longitudinally oriented third vertical partition 51, which is generally parallel to the first partition 47 and adjacent to the return section 41 of the conveying path T.

[0063] These partitions are fixed to the frame, which will be described below.

[0064] The chamber includes a radiation source 22, which can thermally regulate the preform 4.

[0065] The radiation source 22 forms a heating cavity, which includes two facing sidewalls 53, at least one of which is a wall supporting a plurality of radiation sources 22 arranged above and below each other and side by side to the preform.

[0066] In other words, the heat conditioning unit 16 includes a plurality of radiation sources 22 distributed along the entire transport path T and at heights substantially corresponding to the height of the preform, such that the entire height of each preform body is exposed to radiation emitted by the radiation sources 22 along the transport path T of the preform in the heat conditioning unit 16. By rotating the preform 4 about its main axis X, the transport device 26 can uniformly expose the entire body 6 of the preform to the radiation sources 22. In this particular embodiment, the radiation sources 22 are distributed on only one side of the path, while a reflective wall 55 is arranged on the other side of the heating path to reflect heat toward the preform.

[0067] In another embodiment not shown, the radiation source 22 may be distributed on both sides of the heating path without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0068] It should also be noted that the radiation source 22 is arranged, where appropriate, to prevent the neck 10 from being subjected to heating radiation emitted by the radiation source. In fact, as previously stated, only the body 6 of the preform 4 is heated to produce the container. Therefore, the neck 10 should not be deformed or heated during the molding process. To prevent the neck 10 from being heated, the furnace may include a ventilation device, not shown in the figures, positioned opposite the neck 10 to dissipate heat that may be absorbed by the neck 10.

[0069] Each radiation source 22 is formed by an incandescent lamp that emits infrared radiation.

[0070] In another embodiment, each radiation source 22 is at least one laser diode that emits infrared radiation and is capable of thermally modulating the preform.

[0071] In other words, each radiation source 22 is at least one laser source (e.g., a laser diode) that emits in the infrared range and is arranged in a juxtaposed and / or stacked manner to form one or more matrices, as described in the applicant's European patent EP1824659.

[0072] In another embodiment, each radiation source 22 is a microwave generator.

[0073] It is quite clear that radiation source 22 may include any radiation source or combination of such radiation sources known to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0074] The chamber 23 of the thermal conditioning unit also includes at least one robot 19 extending inside the chamber 23 opposite at least a portion of the transport path T, and the robot is capable of operating on the transport device and / or radiation source.

[0075] The robot 19 includes a base 20 and a robotic arm 21, one of which is equipped with a gripping tool that can grasp at least one gripping member 30 and move it from the conveyor to the hopper.

[0076] Robot 19 includes an articulated arm 21 that can move within chamber 23 along a coordinate system (X, Y, Z).

[0077] Arm 21 includes at least three hinge axes along the coordinate system (X, Y, Z).

[0078] like Figure 1 As shown, robot 19 extends entirely or partially inside the transport path T.

[0079] In other words, robot 19 extends, in whole or in part, between the so-called outbound segment 39, the so-called return segment 41, and the curve 43 connecting the two segments.

[0080] More specifically, the robot's base 20 extends inside the transport path T.

[0081] The articulated arm 21 extends wholly or partially inside the conveying path T.

[0082] The heat control unit 16 also includes at least one hopper-type storage device 57, which is capable of storing the clamping member 30 and / or the second clamping member 59.

[0083] Here, the heat control unit 16 includes a hopper-type storage device 57, which is capable of storing the second clamping member 59.

[0084] The storage device 57 extends inside the chamber 23 of the thermal regulation unit, opposite the robot 19.

[0085] The robot's position relative to the hopper allows for limiting the stroke of the articulated arm 21, thereby reducing the time required for specification changes.

[0086] Then, once the preform 4 has been heat-conditioned in the heat conditioning unit 16, it is transferred to the molding unit 18 to be molded therein.

[0087] The forming unit 18, which forms the container 2 from the preform 4, includes a forming wheel 42 that rotates multiple blow molding stations 44 from the inlet to the outlet, in which a series of containers are formed from the preform and then removed, such as... Figure 1As shown. The axis of rotation of the forming wheel is substantially parallel to the main axis X of the preform as it is being transported by the forming wheel.

[0088] Each blow molding station 44 includes a mold 46, which is equipped with walls that form a cavity in the shape of a container to be molded, and is arranged to receive a preform such that the body of the preform extends within the cavity.

[0089] Figure 3 express Figure 1 The cross-sectional view along section AA shows that the thermal conditioning unit 16 includes a chamber 23, which internally includes a radiation source 22, a conveying device 26, a robot 19, and a hopper 57. In other words, the chamber 23 surrounds the radiation source 22, the conveying device 26, the robot 19, and the hopper 57 to protect them and isolate them from the external environment, which in turn protects the external environment from the influence of elements that may come from inside the chamber, such as radiation from the radiation source.

[0090] In the case of manufacturing containers containing sensitive products (milk, orange juice, etc.), chamber 23 defines a substantially sealed volume. This volume may be equipped with a filtered air injection device, which allows overpressure to be established within the volume and controls its air quality to prevent any contamination from the chamber.

[0091] The chamber 23 of the thermal conditioning unit 16 includes a frame 60 capable of receiving at least one vertical partition and optionally at least one horizontal partition for the floor and / or ceiling.

[0092] The frame is made of metal beams that form a load-bearing structure or skeleton, with vertical partitions 47, 49, 51 and / or horizontal partitions 62 on the top plate and / or horizontal partitions 64 on the floor fixed to these metal beams.

[0093] The partition is detachably fixed to the frame by means of fasteners such as screws, or permanently fixed by means of fasteners such as welding or any other fasteners known to those skilled in the art.

[0094] like Figure 1As shown, the chamber includes a longitudinally oriented first vertical partition 47 adjacent to the outgoing section 39 of the conveyor path T, extending into a transversely oriented second vertical partition 49 adjacent to a bend 43 of the conveyor path T, further extending into a longitudinally oriented third vertical partition 51 generally parallel to the first partition 47 and adjacent to the return section 41 of the conveyor path T, and a fourth vertical partition (which may be a partition of the molding unit, not shown), transversely oriented, adjacent to a bend in the conveyor path shared with the molding unit, and having at least one opening in this partition to transfer the heated preform to the molding unit. These first, second, third, and fourth partitions are secured to the beams of the frame 60 by all known fixing devices.

[0095] The chamber 23 is defined as having a volume with a cuboid shape.

[0096] As a variation, the chamber can be defined as having a cylindrical shape and a volume.

[0097] Chamber 23 also includes, as previously mentioned in the description, and in Figure 3 Radiation source 22 is indicated by a dashed line in the middle.

[0098] like Figure 3 As shown, chamber 23 also includes a conveying device 26 that extends along a conveying path T in a horizontal plane B, which is substantially parallel to the horizontal partition 62 of the top plate and / or the horizontal partition 64 of the floor and / or the horizontal plane defined by the ground on which the thermal conditioning unit 16 is placed.

[0099] The conveying device 26 includes a series of clamping members 30 that convey the preform 4 to be heated from the inlet to the outlet of the heat conditioning unit 16 with the neck facing upward.

[0100] As a non-limiting example, reference will be made to the applicant's French patent, publication number WO2007025909, which describes the aforementioned preform clamping member 30.

[0101] As a variation, the preform is heated with its neck facing down, and then flipped up at the inlet and outlet of the heat treatment unit to allow for transfer of the preform.

[0102] As a non-limiting example, reference will be made to the applicant's French patent, publication number EP2626177B1, which describes a preform clamping member equipped with a quick-release device.

[0103] The chamber 23 also includes a robot 19, which includes a base 20 and an articulated arm 21, the articulated arm being equipped with a gripping tool at its free end, the gripping tool being capable of gripping the clamping member 30 or the radiation source 22.

[0104] In this embodiment, the base 20 can be fixed or movable. When the base rotates, it is movable relative to the axis V. Here, the axis V coincides with the axis Z3 of the second guide wheel 38.

[0105] like Figure 4 As shown, the lower part 72 of the base 20 is fixed to the chamber 23.

[0106] The lower part 72 of the base 20 of robot 19 is fixed to the horizontal part of the frame 60 of the thermal regulation unit or the horizontal partition 64 of the floor.

[0107] In a variant not shown, the robot can be directly fixed to the ground where the thermal conditioning unit is placed. In other words, the robot is positioned in chamber 23, below the horizontal plane B defined by the transport path T. Therefore, the articulated arm 21 moves in the so-called "below" region 23A of chamber 23.

[0108] In a variant not shown, the robot's base is fixed to the portion of the horizontal partition 62 and / or the frame 60 that forms the top plate of the thermal conditioning unit. In other words, the robot can be positioned in a chamber "above" the horizontal plane B defined by the transport path. Therefore, the articulated arm moves within the so-called "above" region 23B of the chamber 23.

[0109] In another variation, the base 20 may be fixed on the horizontal plane B and extend inside the transport path forming the loop, and the articulated arm 21 may be movable in the lower region 23A and / or the upper region 23B of the chamber.

[0110] like Figure 3 As shown, the articulated arm 21 is connected to the base 20 at one end and to the clamping tool at the other free end for changing the clamping member 30 or the radiation source 22.

[0111] The articulated arm 21 consists of multiple segments 66. These segments 66 are hinged relative to each other via hinge shafts 68 to move in the lower region 23A or the upper region 23B depending on the position of the base 20.

[0112] The clamping tool is capable of detaching and gripping the first clamping member 30 fixed to the conveyor 26. Then, the articulated arm 21 moves the first clamping member 30 to place it in the hopper. Next, the clamping tool is capable of detaching and gripping the second clamping member 59 fixed to the hopper, and then moving and securing it to the conveyor 26.

[0113] There are two types of operations that can be performed on the clamping member 30:

[0114] The maintenance operation involves replacing at least one clamping member 30, that is, replacing the clamping member with another clamping member having the same technical characteristics (size, rigidity for maintaining the seal of the preform).

[0115] The specification replacement operation involves replacing all the first clamping components 30 fixed to the conveying device 26 with the second clamping components 59 stored in the hopper 57.

[0116] like Figure 3 As shown, chamber 23 also includes a hopper 57, which can store clamping member 30 for maintenance operations or store second clamping member 59 for changing the size of the manufactured container.

[0117] Figure 4 The partial perspective view of the thermal control unit shows multiple positions of the articulated arm in the lower region 23A of the chamber 23, and the hopper in the retracted position, i.e., the hopper is located inside the chamber 23.

[0118] The figure shows a heat regulation unit, which includes a conveyor 26, a frame 60, a chamber 23, a robot 19, and a hopper 57.

[0119] For the sake of simplicity, the series of clamping components and the upper part of the frame 60 are not shown.

[0120] Conveying device 26 has been described above. Figure 1 It was described at the time.

[0121] In this figure, the conveyor 26 is shown schematically to illustrate its space occupation and its positioning in the thermal conditioning unit, particularly relative to the robot 19 and the hopper 57.

[0122] The conveying device 26 forms a closed loop.

[0123] The lower part of the closed loop of the conveying device defines the horizontal plane B.

[0124] The frame visible in the figure includes beams 70, which form part of the floor. Structural elements of the thermal conditioning unit, particularly the robot, hopper, and a portion of the partition (not shown), will be supported on these beams.

[0125] Chamber 23, particularly the lower region 23A, is defined by the volume between the horizontal plane B and the beam forming the floor.

[0126] In this embodiment, the volume of the lower region 23A constitutes the volume in which the robot will be positioned to perform various operations.

[0127] The same reasoning can be applied to the volume defining the upper region 23B, that is, the volume between the horizontal plane B and the beam forming the top slab (not shown in the figure).

[0128] In this diagram, the robot is positioned in the lower area 23A.

[0129] Robot 19 includes a base 20 and a robotic arm 21.

[0130] The base 20 also consists of two parts, namely the lower part 72 and the upper part 74.

[0131] The lower part 72 of the base is fixed to the frame 60 by any fixing device known to those skilled in the art.

[0132] The base 20 is arranged in the lower region 23A, more specifically, below one of the two bends 43, 45 of the conveying path T, below the axis of the wheel of the conveyor.

[0133] The base 20 extends inside the transport path T.

[0134] The upper part 74 of the base is fixed to the robotic arm 21.

[0135] The articulated arm 21 includes multiple segments 66, which are connected to each other by a rotating shaft 68.

[0136] Figure 4 The diagram shows the articulated arm 21 in various positions, particularly the positions where the clamping member 30 is placed into or retrieved from the hopper 57.

[0137] like Figure 3 , 4 As shown in Figure 5, the hopper 57 includes a vertical plate 76 adjacent to the bend 43 of the conveying path T.

[0138] The vertical plate 76 is composed of multiple smaller plates.

[0139] The vertical plate 76 includes receiving positions 78 in which the clamping member 30 is accommodated. Here, these receiving positions 78 are in the form of holes.

[0140] Here, the clamping components are held in these different holes by means of retaining devices such as magnets or all other retaining devices known to those skilled in the art, such as clamps, O-rings.

[0141] When all the second clamping members are present in the hopper, the hopper includes at least one free additional accommodating position 78. When the first clamping member 30 is removed from the conveyor 26, it is housed in the free additional accommodating position 78, and then the second clamping member 59 is removed from the hopper 57 to replace the first clamping member that was just removed from the conveyor 26 and installed in place.

[0142] The hopper 57 is moved outside the chamber so that operators can replace the clamping components during concealed periods, i.e., while the thermal conditioning unit continues production.

[0143] Figure 5 The image shows the hopper 57 in the working position, i.e., the hopper extends outside the chamber 23.

[0144] like Figure 5 As shown, the escamotage of the silo is performed by translational motion.

[0145] In a variant not shown, the movement of the hopper is performed by another type of motion, such as rotational motion.

[0146] In order to keep the hopper in its working position, the hopper includes a locking device 82, i.e., an actuator such as a cylinder, which is capable of locking the hopper in the working position or the retracted position.

[0147] In order to move from one position to another, the vertical plate constituting the hopper is fixed to the upper and lower parts of the slide rail 80, the slide rail itself being fixed to the frame 60 and / or fixed to one of the horizontal partitions 62, 64.

[0148] In a variant not shown, the hopper includes a drum with receiving positions 78 around its periphery to accommodate clamping members.

[0149] These receiving positions 78 can be holes or grooves capable of receiving clamping members 30.

[0150] Within the scope of this embodiment, the rotation of the drum is combined with the movement of the articulated arm to optimize hopper filling without operator intervention.

[0151] Within the scope of this invention, the hopper takes the form of a plate or a drum, but many other ways of implementing a hopper are known to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A heat-regulating unit (16) for manufacturing preforms (4) of containers (2), particularly thermoplastic preforms, said heat-regulating unit comprising: - Chamber (23), in which the preform (4) is thermally conditioned; - A radiation source (22) extends inside the chamber (23) and is capable of thermally conditioning the preform; - A conveying device (26), extending inside the cavity and including a first clamping member (30), for moving the preform along a closed conveying path (T), at least a portion of which extends opposite the radiation source. The heat regulation unit is characterized in that it further includes at least one hopper (57) which extends inside the chamber (23) opposite at least a portion of the conveying path (T) and is capable of storing at least one clamping member (30).

2. The thermal regulation unit (16) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The closed transport path (T) includes at least: a section called the outgoing section (39), a section called the return section (41), and two bends (43, 45) connecting the outgoing section (39) and the return section (41), with the radiation source (22) extending opposite at least one outgoing section and / or return section.

3. The thermal regulation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The hopper (57) is located opposite at least one of the two bends (43, 45) of the conveying path (T).

4. The thermal regulation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The chamber (23) includes at least one vertical partition adjacent to the transport path (T).

5. The thermal regulation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The chamber includes a longitudinally oriented first vertical partition (47) adjacent to the outgoing section (39) of the transport path (T), the first vertical partition extending into a transversely oriented second vertical partition (49) adjacent to a bend (43) of the transport path, the second vertical partition further extending into a longitudinally oriented third vertical partition (51) generally parallel to the first vertical partition (47) and adjacent to the return section (41) of the transport path (T).

6. The thermal regulation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The hopper (57) is installed to be movable between a working position and a retracted position. In the working position, the hopper extends outside the chamber (23) for replacement of the clamping member (30), and in the retracted position, the hopper (57) extends inside the chamber (23) for maintenance operations and / or specification change operations.

7. The thermal regulation unit according to claim 6, characterized in that, At least one of the vertical partitions (47, 49, 51) of the chamber includes a retractable plate to allow the hopper (57) to move from its working position to its retracted position and in the reverse direction.

8. The thermal control unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The thermal control unit includes at least one hopper (57) capable of storing a second clamping member (59) opposite to at least one robot (19).

9. The thermal control unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The hopper (57) includes a vertical plate (76) adjacent to a bend (43) of the conveying path (T), the vertical plate (76) including a receiving position (78) in which a clamping member is received.

10. The thermal regulation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The hopper includes a drum, and a receiving position (78) is provided on the periphery of the drum for accommodating clamping components.

11. The thermal regulation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The receiving position (78) has the form of at least one hole and / or at least one groove.

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