System for manufacturing a melt hose from plasticized plastic material

Abstract

This utility model relates to a system for manufacturing a molten hose (10) from a plasticized plastic material, the plastic material being supplied via an inlet (12) of a hose head (14), the completed molten hose (10) being discharged in a gravity-assisted manner via a hose outlet (18) on the hose head (14) toward a molding device (16), and the molten hose (10) being at least partially traversed by filling tubes (20), the filling tubes being at least partially guided longitudinally within the hose head (14), and the number of filling tubes being the same as the number of containers to be manufactured and filled, characterized in that, at least in the event of an interruption in container manufacturing, a contamination protection device (24) is used, the device at least protecting the filling tubes (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a system for manufacturing molten hoses from plasticized plastic material, the plastic material being supplied via an inlet at a hose head, the completed molten hose being discharged towards a molding device via a hose outlet at the hose head in a gravity-assisted manner, and the molten hose being at least partially traversed by filling tubes, the filling tubes being at least partially guided longitudinally within the hose head, and the number of filling tubes being the same as the number of containers to be manufactured and filled. Background Technology

[0002] According to DE102008028754A1, an apparatus for manufacturing and filling containers is known in which at least one tube of plasticized plastic material can be extruded into an open mold. At least the filling material can be introduced into the corresponding container by means of a filling core (Fülldorn) disposed to the relevant mold, using a filling device having multiple functional channels that are separated from each other. Furthermore, a core shield is provided, having at least one functional space, and the core shield, in its functional position, establishes a media guiding connection between its corresponding functional space and the correspondingly disposed functional channels of the filling device. This opens the possibility of introducing media for necessary cleaning, sterilization, cooling / drying, etc., into the functional space within the shield via the corresponding functional channels of the filling device. Thus, the shield is part of a cleaning, sterilization, and / or drying device that can be operated via a corresponding media supply on the side of the filling device to place the manufacturing equipment in a clean and low-sterile state for initiating the manufacturing sequence.

[0003] According to DE102017008803A1, an apparatus for manufacturing and filling container articles is known, in which at least one tubular material of plasticized plastic is extruded from an extruder head along a tubular guide into an open mold. Filling material is introduced into a corresponding container by means of at least one filling core extending through the extruder head at least in a functional position. Process gas is introduced into the interior of the tubular material by means of at least one process gas supply device, and at least a portion of the introduced process gas is discharged through the extruder head along at least one pre-defined exhaust guide device, separate from the corresponding guide channel. Thus, without interrupting the manufacturing process of the apparatus, a test gas quantity from the space within the tubular material can be provided via the exhaust guide, allowing analysis of, for example, residual oxygen content. Sterile air or, for example, an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon can be used as the process gas in oxygen-sensitive filling materials.

[0004] The presence of the exhaust guide opens up the possibility of providing at least one additional process gas supply device, by means of which additional process gas can be introduced into the interior of the hose, preferably adjacent to the inner surface of the hose, via at least one additional process gas supply device. Thus, a significantly increased amount of gas can be introduced into the hose relative to the so-called stabilizing hose shape and anti-collapse support air, thereby enabling a flushing of the hose interior. Utility Model Content

[0005] Based on this existing technology, the objective of this invention is to further improve known solutions while maintaining their advantages.

[0006] Here, the system according to this invention is based on the understanding that in the event of a production interruption, i.e., an interruption of container manufacturing (which may also occur unexpectedly, for example, in the event of a subsequent process failure, such as dismantling of the container due to stamping), at least hose extrusion and container production must be stopped by stopping the associated extruder screw and moving apart the paired die tools or die halves that cooperate within the molding process. Due to the residual pressure present in the system, plastic still leaks from the nozzle gap of the extruder head or hose head. Due to the further applied support air pressure, the hose, which is closed towards the die tool, is inflated and, depending on the type of plastic, hose wall thickness, plastic material, and temperature, can suddenly rupture in a nearly unpredictable manner, posing a risk of contamination to the hose interior, particularly the filler core. Furthermore, depending on the location of the rupture in the hose, plastic residue remains undesirably on the output side of the hose head (typically in the form of a nozzle plate with a nozzle gap). These processes necessitate mandatory manual intervention before resuming production, particularly for removing the plastic residue, and subsequently, a sterilization process.

[0007] In the event of a disruption in container manufacturing (which may also occur unexpectedly within the scope of the failure), a contamination protection device is used that at least protects the filling tube from direct external manual intervention to clean it, and allows for a simple and timely restart of production by simply restarting the hose extrusion and automatically repositioning the die to the forming and filling positions.

[0008] Here, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the system according to this invention, the contamination protection device has a separation device and / or at least one supply device for separating at least a portion of the molten tubing, by means of which an additional volumetric flow rate of sterile fluid (such as sterile air) can be supplied toward the molten tubing. If the molten tubing is selectively cut between the forming device and the extrusion head or tubing head by means of the separation device, the separated tubing portion can be easily pulled out and removed at the lower end of the forming device. Additionally or alternatively, but preferably simultaneously with the use of the separation device, the amount of air within the molten tubing is increased several times, for example, three to four times, so that reliable contamination protection is achieved even when the tubing is cut by constructing a sterile air barrier relative to the surrounding environment. Instead of sterile air, other process fluids, such as nitrogen or inert gases, can also be used. This sterile gas barrier also includes the area of ​​the filling tube and the tubing outlet. Therefore, there is no corresponding solution in the prior art.

[0009] Furthermore, the controlled separation and cutting of the molten hose by the separation device prevents the formation of adhering plastic residues on the output side plate with the nozzle plate at the hose head, thus eliminating the need for cleaning processes, particularly manual cleaning. Moreover, this reliably avoids direct external intervention when the actual production area is open, which would otherwise result in a loss of sterility. In addition to the eliminated risk of contamination, this also significantly reduces downtime due to production interruptions.

[0010] Preferably, the separating device is further specified as follows: the separating device is directly disposed on the hose outlet of the hose head and disposed outside the hose outlet. Preferably, the separating device, as a separating instrument, uses a heatable strip or wire, which is tensioned between the two receiving portions of the separating device and guided transversely to the discharge direction of the molten hose within the range of the linear guide portion, and is movable back and forth along the hose outlet for performing hose cutting. Alternative separating instruments may also consist of a blade, water jet, or laser. The application of other separating instruments in the context is also possible.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferred that the corresponding receiving portion of the separation device to be fixed can move synchronously with another receiving portion along the guide rod of the linear guide portion by means of a driving device, which is beneficial to improving the separation or cutting quality.

[0012] The system of this invention is preferably used as part of a blow molding-fill-seal (BFS) machine, in which paired, opposing individual die halves can move along a so-called container chain within a closed track guide. In related designs, the extrusion head or hose head is typically fixed within the manufacturing equipment (DE102017008803A1). However, the system can also be used in BFS manufacturing machines in which the forming device has at least two die halves fixed in a vertical position, the die halves acting in pairs in a horizontal direction to produce the container mold, and in related designs, the hose head can be implemented to move perpendicular to the forming device (DE102020004564A1).

[0013] This disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing and filling containers, in which at least one molten tube of plasticized plastic material discharged from a tube head can be extruded into an open mold of a molding device, and at least one filler material can be introduced into a corresponding container by means of a filling core that can be configured to pass through the tube head at least during operation along at least one row of through holes, and at least in the event of production interruption, the molten tube is cut off below the tube head in the tube output direction by means of a separating device and at the same time the output volume flow rate of sterile fluid in the molten tube is increased by a supply device.

[0014] Hereinafter, it is preferred that the output volumetric flow rate of the sterile fluid be set to at least 2000 l / h, preferably at least 3000 l / h. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The system according to the present invention will now be explained in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the schematic and non-total-scale illustrations:

[0016] Figure 1 A perspective view is shown of a first embodiment for manufacturing a container from a molten hose, the molten hose being made of a plasticized plastic material;

[0017] Figure 2 Exemplary examples are shown as for those based on Figure 1 The embodiments include longitudinal sectional views of the extrusion head or hose head used, and also include, as in Figure 2 The improved embodiments shown herein; and

[0018] Figure 3 The molten hose is shown exemplarily in its upper region along a rear-to-front view, according to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the cutting off of the hose outlet of the extrusion head or hose head. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Figure 1 A system is shown for manufacturing a molten hose 10 made of plasticized plastic material supplied by an extruder screw (not shown), which can be supplied to the extruder head or hose head 14 via an inlet 12. The molten hose 10, manufactured by means of the hose head 14, is gravity-assisted supported via a hose outlet 18 on the hose head 14. Figure 3 Discharged towards the forming device 16, in Figure 1 In the illustration, the molten hose 10 is passed through a single filling tube 20, which is guided longitudinally within the hose head 14, and the number of filling tubes equals the number of containers (not shown) to be manufactured and filled simultaneously in one production cycle. In the illustrated embodiment, ten filling tubes 20 are used, allowing a total of ten containers to be manufactured simultaneously using the forming device 16 and its die tooling, or die half 22, and filled with filler material at the head side via each filling tube 20, followed by sealing the containers at the head side with filler material. The associated manufacturing process is common and according to… Figure 1 The equipment is typically a component of a blow-fill-seal machine (BFS technology), as exemplarily shown, for example, in DE102020004564A1. The term container includes small-capacity containers, such as ampoules with a filling volume of less than 0.5 ml to 30 ml.

[0020] According to this utility model, at least in the event of a disruption in the manufacture of the container, a contamination protection device marked with 24 is used, which at least protects the filling core 20, as will be explained in detail below.

[0021] However, firstly, it is necessary to rely on the following: Figure 2 The schematic cross-sectional diagram provides a detailed explanation of the structural configuration of the hose head 14 and its associated filling device, which can also be exemplarily illustrated in accordance with... Figure 1 Used in the embodiments.

[0022] In setting perpendicular to according to Figure 2 In a row of planar images, only one filling tube 20 is visible among multiple filling devices, also known in technical terms as a filling core. The corresponding filling tube 20 is guided in the support housing 24 in a manner common in such devices and is thus operable. Figure 2 and Figure 1Similarly, the filling tube 20, which is in the extended operating position for the filling process and can be seen from the outside, is shown, with the filling needle-shaped tapered end section 28 being pushed into the mold of the molding device 16, whose two mold halves 22 are not yet closed on the head side.

[0023] In this configuration, in a rotating arrangement (DE102017008803A1), the individual mold halves 22 move in pairs toward each other on a virtual circular track 30 to form a closed manufacturing mold as part of the molding device 16, and to open the associated manufacturing mold, the mold halves move apart again at the ends of the motion chain. To quantitatively output filler material from the end section 28 of each filler tube 20, each filler tube 20 has a centrally located filler channel 32, and in a manner common in such devices, filler material is supplied to the filler channel 32 by means of a controllable metering device for the corresponding product to be filled via a central filler material line (not shown).

[0024] like Figure 2 As further explained, in accordance with Figure 1 Unlike the molding device 16, in this case another molding device 16 of the chain drive type is used, in which two mold halves 22 can move away from each other in a horizontal orientation transverse to the direction of movement of the filling tube 20 to open the molding device 16 and can move towards each other again to close the molding device 16.

[0025] Along the Dynasty Figure 2 Viewed from the side, the extrusion head or hose head 14 is disposed on the lower side of the support housing 26, and is depicted only by way of example for simplicity. The hose head 14 has an annular or elliptical extrusion nozzle as a hose outlet 18 on its lower free end face in a manner known per se. The associated hose outlet 18 also includes, on the edge side, a single circular through-hole 34 along the closure line for filling the tube 20 according to… Figure 3 The diagram shows the molten hose 10 being pulled upwards into the hose head 14 along with the support housing 26.

[0026] To stabilize and guide the free tube forming of the molten tubing 10 as it exits the tubing outlet 18 toward the corresponding forming device 16, a so-called process gas supply device or supporting air device 36 is provided in a manner known per se. This process gas supply device or supporting air device has a guide channel 38 extending along the outer side of the corresponding filling tube 20 within the support housing 26 and the extruder head 14. This guide channel originates from an inlet 40 located on the sleeve-shaped end section 42 of the support housing 26 and extends along the outer side of the corresponding filling tube 20 to an outlet 44 at the free lower end face of the extruder head 14. The outlet 44 is, in this respect, the edge portion of the corresponding through opening 34 of the filling tube 20.

[0027] By allowing a sterile process fluid (e.g., in the form of sterile support air) to flow into the interior of the hose 10 via the outlet 44, the hose forms a closed sterile space 46 in its course from the extruder head 14 toward the die half 22 of the forming device 16. The interior of the hose itself is configured to fill the sterile space within which the entire production process is carried out, i.e., until a head closure is formed on the head side of the filling container. This is achieved by closing the relevant head clamp (not shown) in the area of ​​the forming device 16. Because the corresponding mechanisms for the respective forming devices 16 are known, the forming devices, generally labeled 16 in the figures, are depicted only schematically simplified in the figures, i.e., without showing the main die portion and the head die portion separately.

[0028] To shield the guide channel 38 from ambient air ingress under all circumstances, a laterally extending functional channel 48 is provided in the end section 42 of the support housing 26. This functional channel is connected to the corresponding guide channel 38 in a media transfer connection, allowing support air or process fluid to flow freely upwards through it. An additional, similar free outflow channel 50 for similar process media is provided at the outer end of the end section 42 of the support housing 26. For better illustration, the associated flow guides are depicted with double arrows.

[0029] The equipment 24 for contamination protection has a separation device 52 for separating the molten hose 10, as shown in this... Figure 1 and Figure 3 It is described in detail. Furthermore, with the help of… Figure 2The supply device 36, as described in detail, supplies an additional volumetric flow rate of sterile fluid (such as sterile air) toward the interior of the molten tubing 10. In a design of the supply device 36 (not shown), additional blowing of sterile fluid (such as sterile air) toward the forming device 16 along the outside of the molten tubing is also feasible in principle. Particularly in the event of a production interruption, if necessary, the molten tubing 10 can be cut off in the area below the tubing head 14 in the tubing outlet 18 by means of the separating device 52 along the tubing output direction. Preferably, this should simultaneously significantly increase the sterile fluid output volumetric flow rate at least within the molten tubing 10, which is achieved via the supply device 36. Here, the relevant output volumetric flow rate should be set via the supply device 36 to at least 2000 l / h, preferably at least 3000 l / h, so that the increased volume of sterile fluid is still output below the tubing head 14 even when the molten tubing 10 has been cut off.

[0030] Before and during the use of the separation device 52 (as exemplarily described here) Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the filling tube 20 is pulled back into the interior of the hose head 14 and the support housing 26 and flushed with a sterile fluid, which in turn forms a sterile barrier for the through opening 34 and the area surrounding the hose outlet 18, which is located within the hose 10 during normal production.

[0031] To increase the output volumetric flow rate of sterile fluid, the media input at the inlet 40 supporting the air or sterile fluid guide can be increased by means of a machine control device (not shown), for example, by correspondingly setting the power of the associated fluid or media pump (not shown). Another possibility for increasing the output of sterile fluid is to provide another process fluid guide, as exemplarily described, for example, in DE102017008803A1.

[0032] refer to Figure 3 The hose segment 54 of the molten hose 10, separated by the separating device 52, can be removed toward the forming device 16. After being completely cut off, the hose segment falls through the open forming device 16.

[0033] As from Figure 3 As further demonstrated, the separating device 52 is directly disposed on the hose outlet 18 of the hose head 14 and outside the hose head. In this embodiment, the separating device 52, as a separating device, should have a heatable wire 56 tensioned between two rectangular receptacles 58. Each receptacle 58 constitutes a guide for clamping the receptacle wire 56 and is movable back and forth along the hose outlet 18 with a linear guide 60 extending transversely to the vertical discharge direction of the molten hose 10, in order to separate the hose section 54, according to... Figure 3 The illustration shows two receptacles 58 and wire 56 moving toward the observer along a line of sight. A linear guide 60 has a guide rod 62 disposed on each wire receptacle 58, which is fixed at its end to the underside of the hose head 14 via a support 64. To save installation space, the support 64 is provided on the fixed side of the hose head 14 at a 45-degree angle. Preferably, all components within the scope of the linear guide 60 are designed as identical components. To enable the two receptacles 58 and the wire 56 located between them to move synchronously with each other, the linear guide 60 has two so-called magnetically coupled piston-rodless cylinders, which can be exemplarily obtained free of charge from SMC Corporation (Europe). Thus, during automated movement, wear-free and resistance-free operation of the entire separation device 52 can be achieved.

[0034] The wire 56 crosses the underside of the hose head 14 in a substantially horizontal orientation, the underside being configured as a horizontally oriented plane through which the through opening 34 for filling the tube 20 and the hose outlet 18 for hose output pass. Thus, the wire 56 crosses the underside of the hose head 14 throughout the hose output region, which remains unobstructed in this respect. The distance between the wire 56 and the aforementioned horizontal underside of the hose head 14 is chosen at least in such a way that a clean separation cut is achieved for the molten hose 10 or the remaining hose section 54. Because the actual linear guide 60 is located in the corresponding laterally inclined edge region of the hose head 10, the arrangement is integrally space-savingly mounted on the hose head 14 and reliably avoids damage to the linear drive mechanism thus constituting the corresponding separation device (in this form, the wire 56).

[0035] According to this invention, reliable contamination protection is achieved via the associated device 24, even when the hose 10 is fully open, by means of the separation device 52, which selectively cuts the hose 10 between the hose head 14 and the forming device 16 in the event of a production interruption, while simultaneously increasing the amount of process gas (particularly in the form of sterile air) inside the hose 10 by three to four times without problems. The hose 10, now separated into hose segments 54, can then be removed, at least in a simple manner, from the lower end of the forming device 16. Using the system of this invention, it is no longer necessary to open the actual production area for manual work (which would in this respect result in a loss of sterility). Specifically, the restart of container production can be achieved in a simple manner by restarting tube extrusion by means of the extruder head or hose head 14 and repositioning the die tool or die half 22 back to the forming / filling position.

Claims

1. A system for manufacturing molten hoses from plasticized plastic material, said plastic material being supplied via an inlet (12) of a hose head (14), the finished molten hose (10) being discharged in a gravity-assisted manner via a hose outlet (18) on said hose head (14) toward a molding device (16), and said molten hose (10) being at least partially traversed by filling tubes (20), said filling tubes being longitudinally guided at least partially within said hose head (14), and said number of filling tubes being the same as the number of containers to be manufactured and filled, characterized in that, The equipment (24) for contamination protection is used at least in the event of a disruption in container manufacturing, and the equipment for contamination protection protects at least the filling tube (20).

2. System for manufacturing a melt hose from plasticized plastic material according to claim 1, characterized in that The device for contamination protection has a separation device (52) for separating at least one hose section (54) of the molten hose (10) and / or at least one supply device (36) by means of which an additional volumetric flow rate of sterile fluid can be supplied toward the molten hose (10).

3. System for manufacturing a melt hose from plasticized plastic material according to claim 2, characterized in that The sterile fluid is sterile air.

4. System for manufacturing a melt hose from plasticized plastic material according to claim 2, characterized in that The hose segments (54) of the molten hose (10) separated by the separating device (52) can be removed toward the forming device (16).

5. System for manufacturing a melt hose from plasticized plastic material according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The sterile fluid supplied via the supply device (36) forms a sterile barrier relative to the surrounding environment at a predetermined volumetric flow rate when the molten tubing (10) is opened.

6. System for manufacturing a melt hose from plasticized plastic material according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The separation device (52) is directly disposed on the hose outlet (18) of the hose head (14) and is disposed outside the hose outlet.

7. System for manufacturing a melt hose from plasticized plastic material according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The separation device (52) uses a strip, wire (56), knife, water jet or laser as the separation device.

8. System for manufacturing a melt hose from plasticized plastic material according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The separating device (52) has a wire (56) that is guided in a tensioned manner between two receiving portions (58) within the range of the linear guide portion (60) transverse to the discharge direction of the molten hose (10) along the hose outlet (18).

9. The system for manufacturing molten tubing from plasticized plastic material according to claim 8, characterized in that, The wire (56) is heatable.

10. System for manufacturing a melt hose from plasticized plastic material according to claim 8, characterized in that The corresponding receiving portion (58) for the separation device to be fixed can move synchronously with another receiving portion (58) along the guide rod (62) of the linear guide portion (60) by means of a drive device.

11. System for manufacturing a melt hose from plasticized plastic material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The system for manufacturing molten hoses from plasticized plastic material is part of the BFS machine equipment, and the molding device (16) has at least two individual mold halves (22) that work in pairs to form a container mold and can be arranged relative to each other along closed tracks.

12. System for manufacturing a melt hose from plasticized plastic material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The system for manufacturing molten hoses from plasticized plastic material is part of the BFS machine equipment, and the molding device (16) has at least two mold halves (22) that are fixed in place when viewed in a vertical position, the mold halves acting in pairs to form a container mold.

Images