Device for shaping plastic parisons into plastic containers

Abstract

The utility model relates to a device for shaping plastic parisons into plastic containers, comprising a first transport device which transports the plastic parisons to be shaped along a predetermined transport path, said transport device having a rotatable transport carrier on which a plurality of shaping stations are arranged, said shaping stations each having a blow-molding device, in which blow-molding devices are arranged, the plastic parisons can be shaped into plastic containers by applying a flowable medium, the shaping stations each have an application device for applying the flowable medium to the plastic parisons, and wherein the shaping stations each have a stretching device for stretching the plastic parisons in the longitudinal direction thereof, the stretching devices each have at least one stretching rod which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the plastic parison and which can be inserted into the plastic parison, and the device has a clean room in which the plastic parison is expanded into a plastic container, and a sealing device in order to isolate the clean room from a non-sterile environment. The clean room is sealed by a cover device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a device for forming plastic parisons into plastic containers. BACKGROUND

[0002] Such devices and methods have been known from the prior art for a long time. The heated plastic parisons are usually formed into plastic containers by applying a flowable medium, in particular pressurized air.

[0003] More recently, aseptic parison forming devices of this type have also become known in some cases. The advantage here is that the plastic parisons either come directly from the boiler and are thus aseptic, or have been sterilized by a sterilization device. Subsequently, these plastic parisons can also be formed into plastic containers in an aseptic manner. In this case, the device also has clean rooms in which the expansion process is carried out.

[0004] The prior art shows that there are various technical difficulties in such devices and methods, in particular with regard to the size of the respective clean rooms and the keeping or sterilization of the clean rooms. In particular, the installation, assembly, replacement, etc. of the individual components of the device is relatively cumbersome and complex due to the limited size of the respective clean rooms.

[0005] A typical example here is the installation of transport devices which transport the plastic parisons to the device or are used to output the plastic containers from the device which are at least partially arranged in the clean room. These transport devices can only be assembled in the clean room due to their own size and the limited size of the clean room, i.e. the transport devices cannot be preassembled, which leads to a very long time expenditure for the assembly workers or operators of the device and, in addition, to an increased cycle time on the circulating conveyor belt. SUMMARY

[0006] In view of this, the object of the present application is to provide a device for forming plastic parisons into plastic containers, the device having a first transport device which transports the plastic parisons to be formed along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has a rotatable transport carrier on which a multiplicity of forming stations are arranged, wherein the forming stations each have a blow-molding device in which the plastic parisons can be formed into plastic containers by the application of a flowable medium, and the forming stations each have an application device to apply the flowable medium to the plastic parisons, wherein the forming stations each have a stretching device for stretching the plastic parisons in their longitudinal direction, and the stretching devices each have at least one stretching rod which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the plastic parisons and which can be inserted into the plastic parisons, and wherein the device has a clean room in which the plastic parisons are expanded into plastic containers, and a sealing device to isolate the clean room from the non-sterile environment, the clean room being closed with a lid device, and the lid device being constructed in a detachable manner for mounting. The lid device has a substantially circular or ring-shaped shape, and the clean room has a substantially circular or ring-shaped recess, wherein the substantially circular or ring-shaped shape of the lid device is larger than the substantially circular or ring-shaped recess of the clean room, or a protrusion is constructed in the area of the recess of the clean room, the protrusion being adapted and intended for the lid device to be laid on it.

[0007] Inside the blow-molding device, the plastic parisons can be formed and in particular expanded into plastic containers by the application of a flowable and in particular gaseous medium. The transport path is preferably circular.

[0008] Furthermore, the sealing device has at least one and preferably at least two circulation channels which can be filled or filled with a liquid.

[0009] The taking out of the lid device as described in the present application can mean that the lid device is taken out partially or completely from the clean room. The taking out of the lid device completely from the clean room means that the lid device can be taken out integrally as a whole. The taking out of the lid device partially from the clean room means that the lid device can be pivoted or flipped out of the clean room, for example, by means of a corresponding hinge or the like.

[0010] In a first preferred embodiment, the lid device is connected to the clean room in a detachable manner, or the lid device can be detached from the clean room. In this way, in particular the clean room can be opened.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, the lid device limits the clean room upwards. It is particularly preferred that the lid device is embodied in the top of the clean room.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment, the lid device is designed as a non-load-bearing device.

[0013] The embodiment as a non-load-bearing device in particular means that the cover device of the clean room is neither suitable nor intended to bear components of the device, such as drives, forming stations, etc.

[0014] For example, the cover device can be manufactured in a material thickness and / or a material which does not allow a load-bearing and / or supporting function.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment, the cover device is supported floating. In particular, it can be moved within predetermined limits in the horizontal direction. This is not critical, since, as mentioned above, the cover device is preferably not designed as a load-bearing device.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment, the cover device has a substantially circular or ring-shaped shape. Likewise, in another preferred embodiment of the clean room, the cover device has a substantially circular or ring-shaped recess. According to one preferred embodiment, the substantially circular or ring-shaped shape of the cover device is larger than the substantially circular or ring-shaped recess of the clean room.

[0017] The most important reason for the circular or ring-shaped shape of the cover device and the clean room is that if the cover device is placed obliquely, it cannot fall into the clean room below it when installed. The reason for this is the circular shape of the cover. Measured from the center point, all sides are of the same length. If the cover device with corners is placed obliquely on the clean room, it can easily fall in.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment, a protrusion is built in the area of the recess of the clean room, which is suitable and intended for the cover device to be placed flat on it. Due to the circular or ring-shaped shape of the cover device, the placement of this cover device in the protrusion of the clean room is greatly improved compared to the case where the cover device is implemented with corners, since it does not rattle.

[0019] It is particularly preferred that a circumferential protrusion, similar to a frame, is built in the area of the recess of the clean room. Alternatively, the protrusion can also be built in the area of the recess of the clean room in the shape of a pin, wedge or similar. Furthermore, a receiving element or a support element can also be built in the area of the recess of the clean room, which is suitable and intended for the cover device to be placed flat on it.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment, the plastic parisons can be fed to the device by means of a second transport device and can be output from the device by means of a third transport device. Thus, advantageously, the second transport device refers to the input device and the third transport device refers to the output device.

[0021] Preferably, the second transport device is arranged at least partially within the clean room. Preferably, the third transport device is likewise arranged at least partially within the clean room. Advantageously, the second transport device is designed as a load-bearing device. Likewise, the third transport device is advantageously designed as a load-bearing device. Particularly preferably, both the second transport device and the third transport device, in particular the input device and the output device, are designed as load-bearing devices.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment, the first transport device and / or the second transport device can be inserted or removed through the recess of the clean room.

[0023] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first transport device and / or the second transport device is constructed as a transport star.

[0024] Preferably, the transport star of the second transport device is a pitch deformed star.

[0025] According to another particularly preferred embodiment, the transport star constructed as a preassembled transport star can be inserted or removed through the recess of the clean room.

[0026] By means of the aforementioned device, any preassembled component, preferably a transport star, can be inserted or removed through the recess of the clean room in a rather simple and clear manner. Likewise, through this assembly or disassembly, or through the exchange of the preassembled component, particularly preferably the preassembled transport star, time can be saved, since as an alternative to the previously known from the prior art assembly of the transport star in the clean room in a more difficult and complex manner, the transport star can be assembled as a whole on the circulating conveyor in a rather simple manner.

[0027] The application also relates to a method for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, wherein a transport device transports the plastic preforms to be formed along a predetermined transport path, and wherein the transport device has a rotatable transport carrier on or with which a multiplicity of forming stations are arranged, wherein the forming stations each have a blow molding device in which the plastic preforms are formed into plastic containers by applying a flowable medium, and the forming stations each have an application device for applying a flowable, in particular gaseous, medium, in particular sterile air, to the plastic preforms, wherein the forming stations each have a stretching device for stretching the plastic preforms in their longitudinal direction and / or a stretching device for stretching the plastic preforms in their longitudinal direction, and the stretching devices each have at least one stretching rod which is movable and / or movable in the longitudinal direction of the plastic preforms, which is inserted into the plastic preforms.

[0028] Furthermore, the apparatus has a clean room in which the plastic parisons are expanded into plastic containers, and a sealing device in order to isolate the clean room from the non-sterile environment. The sealing device preferably has at least one circulating channel which is filled with liquid.

[0029] According to the application, the clean room is closed by a lid device. The lid device is constructed in a detachable manner in order to be installed.

[0030] The apparatus described above is particularly adapted and designed for carrying out the described method, i.e. all features specified for the apparatus described above are likewise disclosed for the method described here and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] Additional advantages and embodiments result from the drawings.

[0032] Wherein:

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic view of an apparatus according to the application is shown; and

[0034] Figure 2 A partial schematic view of a clean room 8 of an apparatus according to the application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 An apparatus 1 for forming plastic parisons 10 into plastic containers 15 is shown. The apparatus has a forming device 3 which has a first transport device 2 comprising a rotatable carrier 22 on which a plurality of forming stations 4 are arranged. The individual forming stations 4 each have a blow molding device 82 which forms a cavity for expanding the plastic parisons 10 inside it.

[0036] Reference 84 denotes an application device for expanding the plastic parisons 10. This can refer, for example, to a blow nozzle which can be docked at the communication opening of the plastic parisons in order to expand the plastic parisons 10. Furthermore, the blow nozzle can also be sealed on the blow mold and / or the support ring of the plastic parisons 10 and / or inside the communication opening of the plastic parisons 10 and / or on the communication opening edge of the plastic parisons 10.

[0037] Reference 90 denotes a valve arrangement, such as a valve group, which preferably has a large number of valves which control the application to the plastic parisons 10 at different pressure levels.

[0038] Reference 88 denotes a stretching rod for elongating the plastic parisons in their longitudinal direction. Preferably, all forming stations 4 have such a blow mold 82, an application device 84 and a stretching rod 88. The stretching rod is preferably an integral part of the stretching device denoted by reference 30.

[0039] Preferably, the number of these molding stations 4 is between 2 and 100, more preferably between 4 and 60, and even more preferably between 6 and 40.

[0040] The plastic preform 10 is transported to the device 1 via the second transport device 62. The plastic container 15 is transported out via the third transport device 64. Therefore, preferably, the second transport device 62 refers to the input device and the third transport device 64 refers to the output device. The first transport device 2 and / or the second transport device 62 are preferably configured to transport a star-shaped component.

[0041] Reference numeral 8 schematically represents a cleanroom, preferably constructed such that it at least surrounds the transport path of the plastic preform 10. In this schematic diagram, the cleanroom 8 is only schematically depicted as a rectangle. Preferably, the cleanroom 8 is isolated from non-sterile environments by a sealing device, preferably having at least one surge container.

[0042] Preferably, the components of the second transport device 62 and the third transport device 64 are also arranged within the cleanroom 8. The cleanroom 8 is particularly preferably also enclosing the transport path of the plastic preform 10 or the plastic container 15 within the second transport device 62 and the third transport device 64.

[0043] In addition, device 1 has ( Figure 1 (Not shown) The cover device 25 that restricts the cleanroom 8 above.

[0044] Figure 2 A view of the cleanroom 8 of the device 1 of the present invention is shown (see [reference]). Figure 1 The cleanroom can be closed with a cover device 25 constructed corresponding to the groove 26.

[0045] As shown here, the cover device 25 is preferably designed in the top 9 of the cleanroom 8 and restricts the cleanroom 8 from above. The cleanroom 8 and the cover device 25 have a generally circular or annular shape or groove 26. The generally circular or annular shape of the cover device 25 is larger than the generally circular or annular groove 26 of the cleanroom 8.

[0046] Among them, such as Figure 2 As shown, the cover device 25 is completely removed, that is, the cover device 25 is taken out of the clean room 8.

[0047] According to the invention, the cover device 25 is constructed in a detachable manner for installation, that is, the cover device 25 is preferably detachably connected to the cleanroom 8, or the cover device 25 can be detached from the cleanroom 8. In this way, the cleanroom 8 can be opened.

[0048] As shown here, a protrusion is constructed in the area of the recess 26 of the clean room 8, which is adapted and intended for the lying of the lid device 25 thereon. The protrusion in the area of the recess 26 of the clean room 8 is constructed as a ring-shaped protrusion here. Other embodiments can also have other protrusions or receiving elements or support elements in the area of the recess 26 of the clean room 8, as long as the lying of the lid device 25 is possible.

[0049] Thus, Figure 1 The first transport device 2 and / or the second transport device 62, which is shown preferably constructed as a preassembled transport star, can be inserted or removed through the recess 26 of the clean room 8 in a rather simple and clear manner. In general, any preassembled assembly can be inserted or removed through this recess 26 of the clean room 8. Thus, a considerable amount of time can be saved compared to the assembly of the assembly in the clean room 8.

[0050] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential features of the invention, if these features alone or in combination are new compared to the prior art. Further, it is pointed out that features described in individual figures can also be advantageous per se. The person skilled in the art directly sees that a certain feature described in a figure can be advantageous, even if other features from this figure are not used. In addition, the person skilled in the art sees advantages by combining several features shown in individual figures or different figures.

[0051] List of Figures

[0052] 1 device

[0053] 2 first transport device

[0054] 3 forming device

[0055] 4 forming station

[0056] 8 clean room

[0057] 9 top

[0058] 10 plastic parison

[0059] 15 plastic container

[0060] 22 transport carrier

[0061] 25 lid device

[0062] 26 recess

[0063] 30 stretching device

[0064] 50 sealing device

[0065] 62 second transport device, transporting the star

[0066] 64 third transport device, transporting the star

[0067] 80 blow mold

[0068] 82 blow molding device

[0069] 84 application device

[0070] 88 stretching rod

[0071] 90 valve configuration

[0072] L longitudinal direction

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for forming plastic parisons (10) into plastic containers (15), said apparatus having a first transport device (2) which transports the plastic parisons to be formed along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device (2) has a rotatable transport carrier (22) on which a multiplicity of forming stations (4) are arranged, wherein the forming stations (4) each have a blow molding device (82) in which the plastic parisons (10) can be formed into the plastic containers (15) by applying a flowable medium, and the forming stations (4) each have an application device (84) for applying a flowable medium to the plastic parisons (10), wherein the forming stations (4) each have a stretching device (30) for stretching the plastic parisons in their longitudinal direction (L), and the stretching devices (30) each have at least one stretching rod (88) which can be moved in the longitudinal direction (L) of the plastic parisons (10) and which can be inserted into the plastic parisons, and wherein the apparatus has a clean room (8) in which the plastic parisons (10) are expanded into the plastic containers, and a sealing device (50) for isolating the clean room (8) from a non-sterile environment, the clean room (8) is closed with a cover device (25), and the cover device (25) is designed in a detachable manner for installation, characterized in that the cover device (25) has a substantially circular or ring-shaped form, and the clean room (8) has a substantially circular or ring-shaped recess (26), wherein the substantially circular or ring-shaped form of the cover device (25) is larger than the substantially circular or ring-shaped recess (26) of the clean room (8), or a protrusion is designed in the area of the recess (26) of the clean room (8), which is adapted and intended for the cover device (25) to be placed thereon.

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover device (25) is connected to the clean room (8) in a detachable manner.

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover device (25) limits the clean room (8) from above.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover device (25) is designed as a non-load-bearing device.

5. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover device (25) is floatingly supported.

6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic parisons (10) can be fed to the apparatus (1) by a second transport device (62), and the plastic containers (15) can be output from the apparatus (1) by a third transport device (64).

7. The apparatus (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the second transport device (62) and / or the third transport device (64) can be inserted or removed through the recess (26) of the clean room (8). ​ characterized in that ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 8. The device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the second transport device (62) and / or the third transport device (64) are designed as transport stars.

9. The device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the transport stars, which are designed as preassembled transport stars, can be inserted or removed through a recess (26) of the clean room (8).

10. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the cover device (25) is designed in the roof (9) of the clean room (8).

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