Device for blow molding and filling containers

Abstract

The utility model relates to a device for blow molding and filling a container, in particular in the range of blow molding, filling and sealing methods. The device at least comprises a blow molding mechanism (10), a blow molding mechanism (20) and a blow molding mechanism (30), wherein the blow molding mechanism (10) is provided with a blow molding core rod (12); a filling mechanism (14) having a filling tube (16); and a handling mechanism (18) for moving the blow molding mechanism (10) and the filling mechanism (14); wherein the blow-molded mandrel (12) is at least partially accommodated in a mandrel holder (20) having a sterile chamber (22), in which a protection mechanism (24) is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner by means of the actuating mechanism (18), which protection mechanism comprises a part of the filling tube (16) in each displacement position, the filling tube has a first fluid guide (26) for a filling material to fill the container. The device disclosed by the utility model has the minimum risk on pollution of particles and / or microorganisms.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an apparatus for blow molding and filling containers, particularly in the scope of blow molding, filling and sealing methods, the apparatus comprising at least:

[0002] - Blow molding mechanism with blow molding mandrel,

[0003] - A filling mechanism with a filling tube, and

[0004] - A manipulator mechanism used to move the blow molding and filling mechanisms. Background Technology

[0005] In the method used worldwide during this period, under the protected name "bottlepack" of the intellectual property holder, the tubing is extruded in the first working step and received by an open blow molding die. The main part of the blow molding die closes and a specially shaped blow molding mandrel filling unit is fitted in the neck region, which seals the actual container area relative to the not yet fully formed neck region. The actual container is blow-molded using gas, preferably sterilized air, and pressures up to 5 bar via this blow molding mandrel, where containers, especially those with a filling volume of up to 30 ml, such as ampoules, can only be formed by vacuum molding. During this process, the portion of the tubing remaining outside the mold remains at a high temperature and is plastically deformable and flexible. After the blow molding process, in the next step, the filler is filled into the corresponding container via a suitable filling mandrel. After the blow molding mandrel filling unit is lifted, the mold jaws close and the filled container is welded in an airtight seal. Meanwhile, the desired head or closed profile is formed by vacuum, and as the blow mold opens, the filled finished container leaves the device; and the next production cycle begins again (Blow Molding of Hollow Plastics, Karl Hanser, Munich, 2006, pp. 143 and 144).

[0006] A filling mandrel for molding and filling a slightly deformable container made of thermoplastic plastic in a manufacturing mold is also known from German illustrative document DE1283141. The filling mandrel has two coaxial tubes forming a filling channel and a gas channel, the tubes being axially movable relative to each other and their outlet ends forming a valve in a closed annular channel. The filling mandrel has a valve body arranged in a channel of the inner tube that acts forward or backward relative to the annular channel valve. The valve body, when held in a fixed position in the outer tube, is axially movable relative to both the outer and inner tubes by means of an actuating device and has a carrying member that can move between two stops on the inner tube to open or close the annular channel forward or backward. A filling supply line is connected to a channel in the inner tube, the channel being coupled to a handle of the valve body by a pressure spring engaged on the carrying member and acting on the valve in the opening direction. The handle has an outwardly opening valve body and is connected to a lifting device for opening and closing the valve. Therefore, it is possible that once the outer tube is fitted onto the container, the inner tube and handle can be moved freely and independently of the outer tube by means of a manipulator, in which the liquid level of the filler can be raised through the outlet of the handle, or the outlet can be raised to approximately the same degree as the liquid level of the filler, so that the filler is almost impossible to mix with air after it is discharged from the filler core. Utility Model Content

[0007] Based on the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to improve known solutions, and in particular to provide an apparatus and method for rapidly filling bottles (i.e., containers with a nominal filling volume / nominal filling amount greater than 30 ml) made of plastic, especially blow-molded bottles for medical purposes, with minimal risk of particulate and / or microbial contamination (hereinafter also referred to as contamination).

[0008] The above objective is achieved in its entirety by a device having the features of this utility model.

[0009] According to this invention, since the blow-molded mandrel is at least partially housed in a mandrel holder having a sterile chamber, a protective mechanism is longitudinally guided within this sterile chamber by means of an actuating mechanism. In each moving position, the protective mechanism surrounds a component of a filling tube having a first fluid guide for filling the container. This enables low-contamination, rapid fluid filling of pre-blow-molded containers, particularly those for medical purposes. Because the filling tube of the filling mechanism is at least partially surrounded by a protective mechanism (typically constructed in the form of a protective tube) preferably coaxially arranged around the filling tube, the interior of this protective mechanism forms a clean chamber under gas overpressure. This clean chamber clearly cooperates with the sterile chamber in the mandrel holder. The tubular protective mechanism can move synchronously with the filling tube of the filling mechanism, thus the interior of the protective mechanism, together with the sterile chamber in the mandrel holder, integrally forms the sterile chamber of the filling tube, resulting in a variable-sized sterile chamber that ensures low-contamination filling of the corresponding blow-molded container. Despite the additional structural cost of obtaining the additional aseptic chamber for the filling tube, it enables a very high yield of molded, filled, and sealed containers. Contributing to this is the fact that the filling tube of the filling mechanism can move downwards relative to the blow molding mandrel from the blow molding position toward the bottom of the container being filled, allowing filling to begin near the bottom of the container in the lower filling position, and during the filling process, the filling tube moves continuously or stepwise upwards as the fluid level in the container rises. This synchronized upward movement of the filling tube with or in response to the fluid level in the container enables, in particular, reliable filling of liquids, emulsions, or suspensions with increased density, while simultaneously ensuring fluid filling with minimal risk of particulate and microbial contamination through the extended aseptic chamber of the filling tube.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, a first separating mechanism is provided, which at least during the blow molding of the container closes a first fluid path from the interior of the blow molding mandrel toward the sterile chamber of the filling tube, and releases the first fluid path when the molded container is filled; and a second separating mechanism is provided, by means of which a second fluid path between the sterile chamber of the filling tube and the surrounding environment is closed. Thus, during the blow molding of the corresponding container, the sterile chamber in the mandrel holder is separated from the supply of blow molding air toward the container to be molded. When the blow-molded container is subsequently filled in its mold by means of the filling mandrel, both separating mechanisms are always in their open positions, and the air expelled during container filling can be expelled outward after passing through the sterile chamber in the mandrel holder. If the sterile chamber in the mandrel holder is to be cleaned or disinfected, the second partition mechanism at the beginning of the sterile chamber in the mandrel holder is closed only, and the supply of cleaning and disinfecting media is made through a separate fluid guide inside the protective mechanism (which is a component of the second partition mechanism) toward and through the blow-molded mandrel, for which the first partition mechanism on the blow-molded mandrel remains open.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment of the device according to this invention, the first separating mechanism has a first sealing member that surrounds the filling tube and is fixed to the filling tube, is longitudinally movable within the blow-molded mandrel, and can be positioned in a sealing fit with a second sealing member, the second sealing member being stationary within the mandrel holder. Preferably, the second separating mechanism further has a first sealing element that is part of the protective mechanism, which can be movably positioned in a sealing fit with the second sealing element by means of the operating mechanism, the second sealing element being stationary on a component of the mandrel holder. The preferred tapered design of the components of these two separating mechanisms ensures a reliable seal even during prolonged operation of the device.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment of the device according to this invention, the protective mechanism can be moved into the sterile chamber by means of the operating mechanism over most of its length, and in the maximum upward position of the protective mechanism, the two separating mechanisms can be effectively placed in their locked, sealed positions. This provides the prerequisite that the sterile chamber in the mandrel holder can be cleaned and / or sterilized separately from other components. As is generally known, sterilization can be performed using gases, such as gaseous hydrogen peroxide, but water vapor is preferred.

[0013] Furthermore, this device allows the filling tube to move downwards from the blow molding position relative to the blow molding mandrel towards the molded bottom of the container to be filled. Filling can then begin near the bottom of the container at a lower filling position, and during the filling process, the filling tube can move continuously or incrementally upwards as the fluid level rises. Here, a tubular protective mechanism is embedded together with the filling tube in a preferably cylindrical void in the mandrel holder, which forms an additional sterile chamber through which sterile air can flow. Therefore, the synchronous upward movement of the filling tube with the rising fluid level enables rapid and reliable filling of liquids, emulsions, or suspensions with a density greater than 1.015 g / ml.

[0014] Preferably, the protective mechanism is arranged concentrically with the filling tube and has a second fluid guide for introducing and / or discharging sterile air and / or cleaning media. The second fluid guide enables separate cleaning and disinfection of the sterile chamber in the mandrel holder when the separating mechanism is locked. The mandrel holder, together with the fluid guide in the protective mechanism, forms an expanded sterile chamber for the filling tube.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to this invention, the mandrel holder is connected to the blow-molding air supply via a first channel guide and to an outlet for a medium, such as a disinfecting medium and / or a cleaning medium, via a second channel guide. This achieves substantially lossless input and output of different types of media.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the device according to this invention, the mandrel holder is accommodated between two receptacles, one of which is designed as a carrier, at least in one position on which it is abutted against the mandrel holder by means of the actuating mechanism, and the other receptacle is used for temperature regulation, particularly for cooling. Generally, a type of sliding guide for the mandrel holder is achieved, which, in this respect, can be movably moved along the column guide into its multiple individual functional positions by means of the actuating mechanism. Especially when filling temperature-sensitive fillers, reliable fluid filling into the container can be achieved through cooling.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, the operating mechanism has a frame with column guides, and the operating mechanism has at least one actuator for moving the mandrel holder and for moving the protective body together with the filling tube further relative to the mandrel holder to at least one filling position. Due to the operating mechanism with its frame and corresponding actuator, the movable parts of the device are reliably moved to their respective functional positions in a delay-free manner.

[0018] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to this invention, the blow-molded mandrel and the filling tube are enclosed relative to the surrounding environment within the cleaning and / or disinfection area by means of a cover that can be fitted and removed again. Thus, when the partition mechanism on the blow-molded mandrel is open and the partition mechanism on the protective mechanism is closed, the cleaning and / or disinfection medium can be introduced into the interior of the cover, or functional space, via the medium path, i.e., the protective mechanism, the sterile chamber, and the blow-molded mandrel, the cover enclosingly accommodating the components of the blow-molded mandrel and the filling mechanism mounted on the underside of the mandrel holder. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The device according to the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Here, it is shown in a general and non-total manner:

[0020] Figures 1 to 3 The main components of the apparatus in the basic or initial position are shown in part by view and part by sectional view in the production process using a blow molding mandrel that is set up and in the actual production step using so-called subsurface filling.

[0021] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The mandrel holder together with the cut-off portion of the inserted blow-molded mandrel and the first partition mechanism shown in the figure in the released or locked position are shown in longitudinal sectional views.

[0022] Figures 6 to 9 The second partition mechanism is shown in different functional positions;

[0023] Figure 10 and Figure 11 The protective mechanism is shown in a three-dimensional bottom view or longitudinal section; and

[0024] Figure 12 Partially showing the basis of the fitted cover. Figure 1 The lower part of the device. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figures 1 to 3The apparatus is shown as a whole in different functional positions. This apparatus is used, particularly in the range of blow molding, filling, and closure methods, to blow mold and fill containers (not shown). Relatedly, the apparatus has a blow molding mechanism 10 with a blow molding mandrel 12. Furthermore, a filling mechanism 14 is provided with a filling tube 16. It should be understood that the illustration showing only one blow molding mandrel 12 and only one filling tube 16 is merely exemplary, and multiple blow molding and filling mandrels can exist in a structure arranged sequentially to each other, particularly extending into the corresponding drawing plane, corresponding to the typical structure of such an apparatus. Furthermore, there is an actuating mechanism 18 for moving the blow molding mechanism 10 and the filling mechanism 14 together with their respective blow molding mandrels 12 and filling tubes 16, which is also evident in the prior art and will not be elaborated further here. Figures 1 to 3 Furthermore, viewed along the line of sight in the figure, the blow-molded mandrel 12 is partially housed at its upper end within the mandrel holder 20, which is block-shaped, for example, rectangular in design, and thus provides space for multiple blow-molded mandrels 12 arranged sequentially to each other, along with the filling tube 16. The block-shaped mandrel holder 20 has a sterile chamber 22, which is introduced into the mandrel holder 20 from above as a hollow cylindrical notch. A protective mechanism 24 is longitudinally movable within the mandrel holder 20 by means of an actuating mechanism 18 or its components, the protective mechanism in each of its movable positions (e.g., in...) Figures 1 to 3 (As shown) is a component surrounding a filling tube 16, which has a first fluid guide 26 for the filling material used to fill a corresponding container. The aforementioned tubular protective mechanism 24... Figure 10 and Figure 11 It is shown in more detail below.

[0026] Such external influence Figure 4 and Figure 5 It is found that a first partition mechanism 28 exists, which at least during blow molding of the container, closes the first fluid path 30 from the interior 32 of the blow molding mandrel 12 toward the sterile chamber 22, which in Figure 5 As shown in the diagram. However, when subsequently filling such blow-molded containers, according to... Figure 4 The diagram shows the release of the first partition mechanism 28, and air or other media expelled from the container during filling can be expelled from the interior 32 of the blow molding mandrel 12 toward the sterile chamber 22 when the first partition mechanism 28 is released.

[0027] For this purpose, the first separating mechanism 28 has a first sealing member 34, which surrounds the filling tube 16 and is longitudinally movable within the blow-molded mandrel 12 and fixed to the filling tube. The aforementioned movable first sealing member 34 can be positioned in a sealing fit with a second sealing member 36, which is stationary inside the mandrel holder 20. One of the first sealing members 34 has a sealing cone 38 on its side facing the other second sealing member 36, which, in the locked position, seals against the abutment cone 40 of the second sealing member 36, particularly... Figure 5 As shown in the figure. Preferably, the first sealing member 34 and the second sealing member 36 are made of sealing material, such as an elastomer material.

[0028] As from Figure 4 and Figure 5 Furthermore, it is concluded that the outer periphery of the blow-molded mandrel 12 is reliably housed in the mandrel holder 20 via a plurality of sealing mechanisms, and in this respect the interior 32 of the blow-molded mandrel 12 is sealed relative to the surrounding environment in the region of the housing in the mandrel holder 20. At least according to Figure 4 In the illustrated release position, the outer diameter of the first sealing member 34 is chosen to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the blow molding mandrel 12 at that position, thereby creating a gap guide in the form of an annular gap 42 between the first sealing member 34 and the blow molding mandrel 12, at least in the release position, according to the first separating mechanism 28. Figure 4 In the open position, blow molding air or other blow molding media can flow out along the annular gap through the interior 32 of the blow molding mandrel 12 toward the sterile chamber 22. According to... Figure 5 In the locked position shown in the diagram, the fluid path is blocked by the first separation mechanism 28.

[0029] To supply the blow molding medium to the blow molding mandrel 12, the mandrel holder 20 is provided with an internal first channel guide 44, which extends at its free end into an annular groove 46 on the outer periphery of the blow molding mandrel 12. This annular groove is outwardly defined by a wall component of the mandrel holder 20. The annular groove 46 typically has an annular gap (not shown), which allows the blow molding medium, such as blow molding air, to be supplied under pressure through the first channel guide 44 and the annular groove 46 into the interior 32 of the blow molding mandrel 12.

[0030] The second sealing member 36 is similar to the sealing insertion of the blow-molded mandrel 12 in the mandrel holder 20, inserted in the transition area leading to the sterile chamber 22 by means of at least one seal 48, and furthermore, there is an additional seal 50 on the free end side below the second sealing member 36, and on the inner circumferential side, for improved sealing, the sealing cone 38 of the first sealing member 34 can abut against the additional seal in the closed position. The two seals 48, 50 are preferably constructed in the form of O-rings.

[0031] As from Figure 4 and Figure 5 Further, it is deduced that the filling tube 16 is centrally penetrated by a valve stem 52, which is used to mechanically operate the closing valve 54, specifically according to... Figure 12 The illustration shows that, when the closing cone of the closing valve 54 is operated accordingly, the free end below the filling tube 16 can be released or locked, wherein, in Figure 12 The diagram shows the valve position for releasing the filling tube 16. In this regard, a first fluid guide 26 for supplying the fluid to be filled extends in an annular cavity 55, or annular gap, between the outer side of the valve stem 52 and the inner circumferential side of the filling tube 16. According to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The illustration also shows the upper fixed edge of the cover 56, as it is integrally located within... Figure 12 As shown in the diagram. In other cases, when the cover 56 is removed, according to... Figure 5 The functional position corresponds to the first separation mechanism 28 when it is locked. Figure 1 The basic position and production start: at the start of production, the blow molding mandrel cone 57 is fitted onto the container neck at its lower free end and is used to supply blow molding air through the first channel guide 44, wherein the container is blow molded. And according to... Figure 4 The opening position of the first dividing mechanism 28 relates to the container, especially in accordance with... Figure 3 The illustration shows a subsurface filling pattern. Furthermore, Figure 4 Involving a set according to Figure 12 The first partition mechanism 28 is opened when the cover 56 in the diagram is opened.

[0032] Especially Figures 6 to 9 As shown, the device according to this invention has a second partition mechanism 58 by means of which a second fluid path 60 between the sterile chamber 22 and the surrounding environment can be closed. It is understood that when the term "surrounding environment" is used, this specifically includes, in particular, the sterile chamber in which the device, as a whole, is housed with its components. Especially... Figures 1 to 3The apparatus shown can have a filling sterile chamber in the moving area of ​​the blow-molded mandrel 12 and filling tube 16, as partially exemplarily shown in DE 196 48 087 C2. However, for the sake of a simpler illustration, the above-described sterile chamber arrangement will not be discussed further. The second separating mechanism 58 has a first sealing element 62, which is preferably an integral part of the protective mechanism 24, which can be movably positioned in a sealing fit with the second sealing element 64 by means of the operating mechanism 18, the second sealing element being statically arranged on a component of the mandrel holder 20. The aforementioned sealing fit between the two sealing elements 62, 64 is... Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown in the figure, Figure 9 Show Figure 8 The enlarged partial view in the image is surrounded by a circle and denoted by B.

[0033] The mentioned protection agency 24 Figure 10 and Figure 11 The details are shown in more detail below. The protective mechanism 24 is specifically constructed as a solid cylinder with a plurality of individual channel guides extending along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. Thus, the protective mechanism 24 has a central channel 66, according to... Figures 1 to 3 As illustrated, the upper component of the filling mechanism 14, together with the filling tube 16 and the valve stem 52 centrally guided within the filling tube, is housed in the intermediate channel. Furthermore, four external channels 68 surround the intermediate channel 66, which are paired and converge at one location within the solid cylinder of the protection mechanism 24 for supplying sterilization and / or cleaning media from one side of the receiving plate 70. All external channels 68 and the intermediate channel 66 extend on the underside into the sterile chamber 22. Additionally, the upper components of channels 66, 68 extend into a plurality of individual channel conduits 72 within the receiving plate 70 for supplying the aforementioned media for the external channels 68, wherein, along the direction of… Figure 10 and Figure 11 Viewed from the direction of sight, on each side, a pair of channel conduits 72 supply a pair of external channels 68, which, in this respect, transition separately into their respective channel conduits 72 on the head side. The respective channel conduits 72 extend from the receiving plate 70 via corresponding connectors, which connect the channel conduit 72, along with its associated external channel 68, to a suitable media supply unit (not shown). In any case, through the arrangement of the protective mechanism 24, various disinfection and / or cleaning media can be introduced from the receiving plate 70 into the sterile chamber 22 via the plurality of individual channel guides 68, 72 for cleaning or disinfection of the sterile chamber.

[0034] The cylinder of the protective mechanism 24 extends taperedly from the outer periphery on the bottom side and forms the first sealing element 62 with the aforementioned tapered surface. For example, especially from... Figures 1 to 3 As can be seen, the protective mechanism 24 can be moved into the sterile chamber 22 over most of its length by means of the manipulating mechanism 18, especially from the perspective of... Figure 3 The diagram shows that; however, it can also be completely reverted to the original state. Figure 1 In the position, this position corresponds to according to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The separation or blocking position, in which the second fluid path 60 is blocked.

[0035] The second sealing element 64, according to this embodiment, includes an elastomeric sealing ring, or O-ring, which, with a pre-defined protrusion, extends into the second fluid path 60 and is clamped between the two components 74 of the mandrel holder 20. A further O-ring 76 is similarly fixed, particularly clamped, between one of the components 74, especially the lower component 74, and the upper side of the mandrel holder 20. Figure 7 The diagram is shown in enlarged form. Figure 6 The partial view in the image is labeled A as a circular partial view. As described above... Figure 6 and Figure 7 It is understood that the protective mechanism 24 is in a slightly lowered position with its first sealing element 62 extending in a conical shape, so that the conical wall of the first sealing element 62 does not contact the O-ring of the second sealing element 64, nor the additional O-ring 76, which in this area only ensures the possible transition from the sterile chamber 22 to the surrounding environment via the second fluid path 60.

[0036] When excessive sterilization or blow air should be discharged into the surrounding environment or sterile chamber via the interior 32 of the blow molding mandrel 12, the first partition mechanism 28, and subsequently the sterile chamber 22 via the second partition mechanism 58 during the blow molding process, the protective mechanism 24 occupies the position of the second fluid path 60. However, if the container is subsequently filled by means of the filling mechanism 14, the protective mechanism 24 occupies its position in the second fluid path 60. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The locked position is shown in the diagram, in which the conical first sealing element 62 and the O-ring shaped second sealing element 64 are sealed against each other. In this regard, the second fluid path 60 is then locked, and the free lower end of the mating cone of the first sealing element 62 protrudes slightly below the O-ring 76 when viewed horizontally while maintaining a preset radial distance.

[0037] In addition to the first channel guide 44 already mentioned for the blow molding air supply section, a second channel guide 78 is also present in the mandrel holder 20, which provides an outlet for a medium, such as a disinfecting and / or cleaning medium. Furthermore, according to... Figure 3 In the filling position, a block-shaped mandrel holder 20 is arranged between two receiving portions, wherein the upper receiving portion is designed as a carrier 80 for moving the filling mechanism 14 together with the protection mechanism 24 by means of an operating mechanism 18. The other receiving portion 82 is designed as a so-called cold plate and is used for cooling. Additionally or alternatively, the receiving portion 82 may also be equipped with a heating mechanism (not shown). The plate-shaped carrier 80 is penetrated in its free corner area to accommodate a column guide 84, which is part of a frame 86 by means of which the various components of the device, such as the mandrel holder 20, the protection mechanism 24, and the blow molding mechanism 10 together with the filling mechanism 14, can move vertically, especially according to… Figures 1 to 3 This is derived from the diagram.

[0038] In addition to the first control mechanism 18, there is another control mechanism 88, which can be operated independently of the first control mechanism 18 and has multiple individual stroke cylinders 90, which are arranged on the support plate 92, allowing the carrier 80 to be raised and lowered by means of the control mechanism 18. Figures 1 to 3 The device, shown essentially as a whole, has at least one actuator 94 as part of the operating mechanism 18, which is fixed to the upper crossbeam 96 inside the column guide 84. The actuator 94 has a lever 98 on its output side, by means of which the various components can be positioned according to their respective... Figures 1 to 3 In their respective functional positions. Furthermore, a control cylinder 100 is arranged on a longitudinally movable support plate 92 between the stroke cylinders 90, which correspondingly operates the valve stem 52. Figure 1 In this arrangement, the functional positions of the components are such that the support plate 92, together with the receiving plate 70, is positioned above the additional crossbeam 102 on the column guide 84. This corresponds to the initial or basic position of the device, while according to... Figure 2 In the blow molding position, both the receiving plate 70 and the supporting plate 92 are arranged to extend below the additional crossbeam 102. According to... Figure 3 In the lower filling position, the protective mechanism 24 is housed in the sterile chamber 22 in its lowest position and the corresponding stroke cylinder 90 is in its removed position, which causes the receiving plate 70 to descend along with the protective mechanism 24.

[0039] To ensure simple cleaning and (steam) sterilization of the interior of the protective tube of the protective mechanism 24, typically using hot steam at 121°C, within the scope of this invention, the protective mechanism 24 is preferably constructed of a solid cylinder, which is preferably rigidly and pressure-resistantly made of a metallic material, such as stainless steel. Furthermore, the protective mechanism 24 preferably has a smooth inner wall. In this regard, the cylinder 24 is constructed with thick walls and has longitudinal holes to form an external channel 68, which can be used as an inlet for sterilizing fluids and / or cleaning liquids. The sterilizing fluid may also include sterilized air.

[0040] For internal cleaning of the sterile chamber of the filling tube, which is at least comprised of the external channel 68 in the protective mechanism 24 and the actual sterile chamber 22 in the mandrel holder 20, the sealing of the sterile chamber 22 relative to the protective mechanism 24 is achieved by the second partition mechanism 58, as already described. In the production context, i.e., during container filling, this second partition mechanism 58, together with its sealing elements 62, 64, is opened to allow sterilized air to escape through an opening that is thus released in the form of a second fluid path 60. Figure 5 As further shown, the interior 32 of the blow molding mandrel 12 can be sealed relative to the aforementioned sterile chamber of the filling tube during the blow molding process or opened to allow air expelled from the container during fluid filling, by means of a mandrel sealing cone, which is a first sealing member 34 arranged statically on the filling tube 16, and a corresponding sealing bushing, which is a second sealing member 36 disposed on the end side of the blow molding mandrel 12.

[0041] Preferably, subsurface filling is provided, meaning that the filling tube 16 moves downward relative to the blow molding mandrel 12 toward the bottom of the bottle to be filled, starting from the blow molding position. Thus, filling can begin near the bottom of the container in the subsurface filling position, and during the filling process, the filling tube 16 moves continuously or stepwise upward in the opposite direction as the liquid level rises in the container, while remaining below the liquid level of the filler. Here, the protective mechanism 24 is embedded together with the filling tube 16 in a preferably cylindrical recess of the mandrel holder 20, which forms a sterile chamber 22, wherein both the protective mechanism 24 and the sterile chamber 22 are capable of being circulated with sterile air.

[0042] The synchronous upward movement of the filling tube 16 as the liquid level rises enables reliable and rapid filling of liquids, emulsions, and / or suspensions with a significantly increased density relative to water (i.e., a density greater than 1.015 kg / l at 25°C). This includes colloidal infusion solutions, such as those containing more than 2% polygelatin (trade names Haemaccel and Emagel) or more than 5% hydroxyethyl starch (trade names especially Vitafusal; Haes-steril 6%; Tetraspan 10%), and also includes crystalline solutions, which typically contain multiple mineral salts, such as Ringer's acetate solution, Ringer's lactate solution, and solutions containing 5% or more glucose.

[0043] The apparatus and method according to this invention have also proven effective when filling solutions for local disinfection of skin and mucous membranes for wound disinfection, wherein the solution contains 2-phenoxyethanol and / or octenidin (N-octyl-1-[10-(4-octyliminopyridin-1-yl)decyl]pyridin-4-imine) hydrochloride. Trade names include, for example, Octenesept (containing phenoxyethanol) and Octenederm (containing 1-propanol and 2-propanol).

[0044] In order to carry out cleaning and disinfection, according to... Figure 12 The illustration shows the cover 56 securely fitted onto the receiving portion 82, which is preferably designed as a cooling plate or cold plate. The seal 58 of the protective mechanism 24 relative to the sterile chamber 22 of the mandrel holder 20 is closed here, and the sealing position 28 between the blow-molded mandrel 12 and the sterile chambers 22, 68 of the filling tube is open. Cleaning liquid can now be filled into the entire enclosed space within the cover 56 through the receiving plate 70 and through the external channel 68 in the cylindrical protective mechanism 24, and the cleaning liquid can be discharged as needed through the lower outlet on the cover 56. Sterilization is then performed by injecting hot steam, preferably followed by drying using sterilized air. Preferably, the cover 56 is removably screwed onto the plate-shaped receiving portion 82, thereby ensuring reliable containment even in the event of overpressure within the steam sterilization range.

Claims

1. An apparatus for blow-moulding and filling containers, comprising at least: - a blow-moulding mechanism (10) with a blow-moulding mandrel (12), - a filling mechanism (14) with a filling tube (16), and - a handling mechanism (18) for moving the blow-moulding mechanism (10) and the filling mechanism (14), characterised in that the blow-moulding mandrel (12) is at least partially accommodated in a mandrel holder (20) with a sterile chamber (22), a protection mechanism (24) being guided longitudinally moveable in the sterile chamber by means of the handling mechanism (18), which protection mechanism surrounds parts of the filling tube (16) in each position of movement, which filling tube has a first fluid guide (26) for a filling mass for filling the containers.

2. The apparatus for blow molding and filling containers of claim 1, wherein, The apparatus is provided for blow-moulding and filling containers in the context of a blow-moulding, filling and closing method.

3. The apparatus for blow molding and filling containers of claim 1, wherein, There is a first separation mechanism (28) which at least locks a first fluid path (30) from the interior (32) of the blow-moulding mandrel (12) towards the sterile chamber (22) when blow-moulding containers and releases the first fluid path when filling already moulded containers, and there is a second separation mechanism (58) by means of which a second fluid path (60) between the sterile chamber (22) and the surroundings can be locked.

4. The apparatus for blow molding and filling containers of claim 3, wherein, The first separation mechanism (28) has a first sealing part (34) which surrounds the filling tube (16) and is guided longitudinally moveable in the blow-moulding mandrel (12) fixed on the filling tube and can be brought into sealing engagement with a second sealing part (36) which is arranged stationary in the mandrel holder (20).

5. The apparatus for blow molding and filling containers of claim 3, wherein, The second separation mechanism (58) has a first sealing element (62) which is an integral part of the protection mechanism (24) which can be brought into sealing engagement with a second sealing element (64) which is arranged stationary on a part (74) of the mandrel holder (20) moveable by means of the handling mechanism (18).

6. The apparatus for blow molding and filling containers of claim 3, wherein, The protection mechanism (24) can be moved into the sterile chamber (22) by means of the handling mechanism (18) over a large part of its length, and in the maximum moved-out position of the protection mechanism (24) the first separation mechanism (28) and the second separation mechanism (58) can be brought effectively into their sealing positions in which they lock.

7. The apparatus for blow molding and filling containers according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The protection mechanism (24) is arranged concentrically relative to the filling tube (16) and has a second fluid guide (68) for the introduction and / or removal of sterile air and / or media.

8. The apparatus for blow molding and filling containers of claim 7, wherein, The second fluid guide (68) is provided for the introduction and / or removal of sterile air and / or media for sterilisation and / or cleaning.

9. The apparatus for blow molding and filling containers according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The mandrel holder (20) can be connected to a blow air supply by means of a first channel guide and to an inlet and / or outlet for a medium for sterilization and / or cleaning by means of a second channel guide.

10. The apparatus for blow molding and filling containers according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The mandrel holder (20) is accommodated between two accommodations, one of which is designed as a carrier (80) for abutment against the mandrel holder (20) by means of the handling device (18) at least in one position of the carrier and the other accommodation (82) for temperature control.

11. The apparatus for blow molding and filling containers of claim 10, wherein, The other accommodation (82) is for cooling.

12. The apparatus for blow molding and filling containers according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The handling device (18) has a frame (86) with a column guide (84), the handling device having at least one actuator for moving the mandrel holder (20) and for subsequently moving the protection device (24) together with the filling tube (16) into at least one filling position relative to the mandrel holder (20).

13. The apparatus for blow molding and filling containers according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, By means of a cover (56) which can be fitted and removed again, the blow mandrel (12) and the filling tube (16) can be separated from the surroundings in the context of sterilization and / or cleaning.

Images