Packaging machine with preform handling module for preparing preforms for container production

Abstract

Packaging machine with a preform handling module for preparing preforms for container production, wherein the preform handling module comprises: (a) a spray unit (18) for spraying a disinfecting substance into the preforms (11) in order to visibly cover the interior of the preforms (11) with the disinfecting substance; (b) a furnace (20) with heating medium (26a, 26b) for heating the preforms (11); and (c) Driving means (13, 23) for moving the preforms (11) in the spray unit and then for moving the preforms (11) in the oven (20) along the heating medium (26a, 26b), wherein the driving means (13, 23) moves the preforms (11) from upstream or a feed area of ​​the heating medium (26a, 26b) where they are visibly covered by the disinfecting substance to downstream or a discharge area of ​​the heating medium (26a, 26b) where they are visibly not covered by the disinfecting substance.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of methods and devices for filling spirits into containers with a very high degree of disinfection and, more particularly, to a packaging machine with a preform handling module for preparing preforms for container manufacture. Background of the invention

[0002] The production of sterile containers and the corresponding packaging machines therefor are known. In most cases, a packaging machine includes a preform handling machine for feeding and heating the preforms before they are formed into containers. Continuous improvements in the production of sterile containers and the equipment therefor are sought. The present invention is primarily directed to providing an improved packaging machine for producing sterile containers that meets these and other requirements. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to one example, the invention relates to a packaging machine with a preform handling module for preparing preforms for container production. The preform handling module comprises a spray unit, an oven with heating means, and drive means. The spray unit is configured to spray a disinfectant substance into the preforms, thus visibly covering the interior of the preforms with the disinfectant substance. The oven and the heating means heat the preforms, and the drive means move the preforms within the spray unit and then within the oven along the heating means. In embodiments, the drive means moves the preforms from upstream or a feed area of ​​the heating means, where they are visibly covered by the disinfectant substance, to downstream or a discharge area of ​​the heating means, where they are visibly not covered by the disinfectant substance.Accordingly, the action of the heating means on the preforms during movement through the oven causes evaporation of the disinfectant substance contained therein.

[0004] In embodiments, the drive means extends along a first axis X1 and then along a second axis X2 parallel to the first axis X1, wherein the heating means comprises a first heating means arranged along a part of the first axis X1 and wherein a second heating means is arranged along a part of the second axis X2.

[0005] In embodiments, the first heating means causes the evaporation of at least a portion of the disinfectant substance on the preforms so that they are visibly covered before the first heating means and visibly lighter covered directly after the first heating means.

[0006] In embodiments, the first heating means does not evaporate all of it, so that the preform is not visibly uncovered directly after the first heating means.

[0007] In embodiments, the second heating means evaporates the substance on the preforms so that they are visibly covered at a feed end of the second axis X2 and visibly uncovered at a discharge end of the second axis X2.

[0008] In embodiments, the second heating means evaporates the substance on the preforms so that they are visibly covered at the feed end of the second axis X2 and visibly uncovered at the discharge end of the second axis X2.

[0009] In embodiments, the first heating agent evaporates everything, so that immediately after the first heating agent nothing is visible on the preforms.

[0010] In embodiments, the drive means has a U-turn point between the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 in order to convey preforms from the first heating means to the second heating means.

[0011] In embodiments, the U-turning point is divided into three segments and the preforms undergo residual heat evaporation during their movement along at least one of the segments of the U-turning point.

[0012] In embodiments, the preforms undergo post-heat evaporation within the U-turn point to transition from visibly lightly covered to visibly uncovered within the first segment of the U-turn point.

[0013] In embodiments, the preforms undergo post-heat evaporation within the U-turn point to transition from slightly visibly covered to visibly uncovered within the second segment of the U-turn point.

[0014] In embodiments, the preforms within the U-turn are subjected to evaporation after heating to transition from visibly lightly covered to visibly uncovered within the third section of the U-turn.

[0015] In embodiments, the drive means moves preforms from a discharge end of the first heating means, where they are still visibly covered, to a feed end of the second heating means, where they are visibly not covered.

[0016] In embodiments, the drive means moves preforms from a discharge end of the first axis X1, where they are still visibly covered, to a feed end of the second axis X2, where they are visibly not covered.

[0017] In embodiments, the preform handling module further comprises a preform feeding module, wherein the preform feeding module brings preforms to the spraying module.

[0018] In embodiments, the drive means has the form of a rotating star wheel at the level of the spray modules and the form of at least one simple wheel at the level of the furnace. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view diagram of a packaging machine and preform handling module according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a view of the preforms being transported along the respective areas of the packing machine and the preform handling module of Fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. Figure 3 is a view of the preforms being transported along the respective areas of the packing machine and the preform handling module of Fig. 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 shows a view of the preforms moving along the respective areas of the packing machine and the preform handling module of Fig. 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 shows a view of the preforms moving along the respective areas of the packing machine and the preform handling module of Fig. 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 6 shows a view of the preforms moving along the respective areas of the packing machine and the preform handling module of Fig. 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the implementation examples

[0019] Embodiments of the invention relate to systems or filling machines 1 for producing sterile containers and, for example, to a preform handling module 5 for preparing preforms 11 with a view to container production. Fig. 1 shows the filling machine 1, which includes the preform handling module 5.

[0020] In exemplary embodiments, the packaging machine 1 described here comprises the preform handling module 5, which is connected, for example, to a blow molding system 100, so that preforms 11 can be prepared by the preform handling module 5 and container production can proceed directly, wherein the preforms 11 are fed to the blow molding system 100 to be formed into sterile containers by blow molding or stretch blow molding. In exemplary embodiments, the packaging machine 1 can comprise further systems, such as a filling and closing system (not shown) for filling and closing the sterile container and / or a labeling system (not shown) for lining the sterile container. Thus, according to exemplary embodiments, the packaging machine 1 can comprise the preform heating module 5, the blow molding system 100, and the filling and closing and / or labeling systems (not shown).

[0021] A preform feeding module 10 is configured to feed preforms to a spray module or spray unit 18 to spray a disinfectant substance into the preforms and visibly cover their interior with the disinfectant substance. In embodiments, the disinfectant substance may comprise hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or, for example, another desired disinfectant substance. In embodiments, the preform feeding module (10) comprises a rail (12) positioned adjacent to drive means (13) for feeding and conveying preforms (11) to receive a quantity of the disinfectant substance at the spray unit (18).

[0022] In embodiments, the spray unit (18) can be configured to spray or dispense the disinfectant substance in various configurations and formats. According to one embodiment, the spray unit 18 can be configured to dispense a cold vapor or mist of microdroplets of the disinfectant substance such that, by condensation, a substantially uniform film of condensate of the disinfectant substance is deposited on at least the inner wall of the preforms 11 to be sterilized. According to a further embodiment, the spray unit 18 can be configured to dispense a hot vapor of microdroplets that condense at least on the inner wall of the preforms 11. According to a further embodiment, the spray unit 18 can be an ultrasonic evaporator that dispenses a quantity of cold vaporous microdroplets.And according to another embodiment, the spray unit 18 is configured to spray a mixture of air and cold droplets of deposits of a disinfectant substance.

[0023] In exemplary embodiments, the drive means 13 of the preform feed module 10 comprises a rotating star wheel 14 for feeding the preforms 11 to the spray unit 18 so that they receive a quantity of the disinfectant substance. The preforms 11 are then fed individually by a chain 24 of spindles connected to the base wheels 22 of a furnace 20, which includes heating means 26a, 26b. The chain 24 moves along the furnace 20 and exposes the connected preforms 11 to the heating means 26a, 26b.

[0024] In embodiments, the chain 24 describes a cyclic path around the two base wheels 22. In embodiments, at least one of the base wheels 22 can be configured to drive the cyclic movement of the chain 24 around itself, or in particular, the chain 24 itself is otherwise driven to move cyclically around the base wheels 22. In embodiments, the drive means 23 can be in the form of one or both base wheels 22, or the drive means 23 can, for example, be otherwise configured to cause a displacement of the chain 24.

[0025] In embodiments, the preforms 11, once sprayed with the disinfectant substance and attached to the chain 24, move through the oven 20, initially moving along a first axis X1 in a first direction and then along a second axis X2 in a second direction. In embodiments, the first direction is opposite to the second direction. In embodiments, the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are parallel and spaced apart from each other. In embodiments, a first heating means 26a is provided along the first axis X1 and a second heating means 26b is provided along the second axis X2.

[0026] In exemplary embodiments, the first axis X1 comprises a feed end P1 and a discharge end P4, and the second axis X2 comprises a feed end P5 and a discharge end P8. In exemplary embodiments, a U-shaped turning point T is provided to convey preforms 11 from the first heating means 26a to the second heating means 26b or, for example, to convey preforms 11 from the discharge end P4 of the first axis X1 to the feed end P5 of the second axis X2.

[0027] As in Fig. 1, the U-turn point T is approximately U-shaped or semicircular to connect the discharge end P4 of the first axis X1 with the supply end P5 of the second axis X2. According to the embodiments, the first heating means 26a is arranged along a portion of the first axis X1 and the second heating means 26b is arranged along a portion of the second axis X2. In embodiments and still with reference to Fig. 1, the first heating means 26a comprises a supply end P2 and a discharge end P3, and the second heating means 26b comprises a supply end P6 and a discharge end P7. In embodiments, the ends P2, P3, P6, P7 of the heating means 26a, 26b are spaced inwardly from the ends P1, P4, P5, P8 of the first and second axes X1, X2. According to some embodiments, the first and second heating means 26a, 26b are approximately centered along their respective axes X1, X2 between the supply region and the discharge region therefor.

[0028] According to the embodiments, the preform handling module 5 is configured such that the drive means 23 moves the preforms 11 from upstream of the feed area P2 of the first heating means 26a, where they are visibly covered by the disinfecting substance, to downstream of the discharge area P7 of the second heating means 26b, where they are visibly not covered by the disinfecting substance.

[0029] In embodiments, and as described in more detail below, the visibility of the disinfectant substance covering the inside of the preforms 11 may vary between visibly covered 19a, slightly visibly covered 19b, and not visibly covered 19c. In embodiments, the visibility of the disinfectant substance is typically measured from a viewing angle VP (see directional arrows in Fig. 1) which is approximately orthogonal to the path of movement of the preforms 11 along the first and second axes X1, X2 and the U-turn point T connected therebetween, while the chain 24 moves cyclically around the base wheels 22.

[0030] With reference to the Fig. 1-2, in a first embodiment, the chain 24 moves the preforms 11, which are visibly covered by the disinfectant substance, along the first axis X1 from the feed end P1 and past the feed and discharge ends P2, P3 of the first heating means 26a. In embodiments, the first heating means 26a causes the evaporation of at least a portion of the disinfectant substance on the preforms 11.

[0031] Accordingly, by the time the preforms leave the discharge end P3 of the first heating means 26a, the disinfectant substance has begun to reduce its presence on the preforms 11, which consequently results in the preforms 11 being visibly less covered 19b compared to the coverage and visibility of the disinfectant substance before passing the supply end P2 of the first heating means 26a.

[0032] When leaving the discharge end P3 of the first heating means 26a, the preforms 11 remain slightly visibly covered 19b and move along the discharge end P4 of the first axis X1, along the U-turn point T and along the second axis X2, past the feed end P5 and the second heating means 26b to the discharge end P6 of the second axis X2.

[0033] According to the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the preforms remain visibly slightly covered from the discharge end P3 until the point at which the preforms 11 pass beyond the feed end P6 of the second heating means 26b. Thereafter, upon leaving the discharge end P7 of the second heating means 26b, the preforms 11 are visibly uncovered.

[0034] Accordingly, the first heating means 26a causes a change in the visibility of at least a portion of the disinfectant substance on the preforms 11, so that they are visibly covered 19a before the first heating means 26a and visibly slightly covered 19b immediately after the first heating means 26a. Therefore, the first heating means 26a does not evaporate all of it, so that the preform is not visibly uncovered after the first heating means 26a.

[0035] In the Fig. 2, the second heating means 26b evaporates the substance on the preforms 11 so that they are visibly uncovered at the discharge end P8 of the second axis X2. Furthermore, the second heating means 26b evaporates according to the embodiment in Fig. 2 the substance on the preforms 11 so that they are visibly not covered at the discharge end P7 of the second heating means 26b.

[0036] In relation to Fig. 3, in a second embodiment, the chain 24 moves the preforms 11, visibly covered with the disinfectant substance, along the first axis X1 from the feed end P1 to the feed end P2 of the first heating means 26a. Upon passing the feed end P2, the state of the disinfectant substance of the preforms 11 begins to change; first, the change causes the preforms 11 to become visibly less covered 19b and then visibly uncovered 19c, all of which occurs between the feed end P2 and the discharge end P3 of the first heating means 26a. Thereafter, from the time the preforms 11 emerge from the first heating means 26a, the preforms remain visibly uncovered 19c along the U-shaped turning point T and the second axis X2.

[0037] In embodiments, the first heating means 26a causes the evaporation of all the disinfectant substance on the preforms 11, so that nothing remains visible (e.g., visibly uncovered 19c) on the preforms 11 when they leave the discharge end P3 of the first heating means 26a. In an alternative embodiment, the preforms 11 may remain slightly visibly covered 19b throughout the first heating means 26a, transitioning, for example, from slightly visibly covered 19b to visibly uncovered 19c between the discharge end P3 of the first heating means 26a and the discharge end P4 of the first axis X1.

[0038] With reference to the Fig. 4 to 6, in a third embodiment, the chain 24 moves the preforms 11, which are visibly covered by the disinfectant substance, along the first axis X1 from the feed end P1 to the feed end P2 of the first heating means 26a. After passing the feed end P2, a state of the disinfectant substance of the preforms 11 begins to change and become less visibly covered 19b. As they continue to move, the preforms 11 remain slightly visibly covered 19b until the discharge end P4 of the first axis X1. The preforms continue to remain slightly visibly covered and begin to move along the U-turn point T.

[0039] With reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, the preforms 11 transition from being slightly visibly covered 19b to being visibly uncovered 19c during movement along the U-turn point T. According to the embodiments, the U-turn point can be divided into three consecutive segments α, β and γ in order to enable the identification of more precise locations along the U-turn point at which the disinfection solution at least partially visible on the preforms 11 transitions to the state in which it is visibly uncovered 19c. In embodiments, the segments α, β and γ consist of approximately 60 degrees around the U-turn point for which the transition can take place. According to the embodiments, the preforms 11 undergo post-heat evaporation during their movement along at least one of the segments α, β or γ of the U-turn point. For example, the term “post-heat” as used here is intended to indicate that at least a first heating step has taken place (e.g.wherein the preforms 11 are exposed to the first heating means 26a); not that the preforms 11 have already been completely exposed to the heating means 26 (the first and second heating means 26a, 26b) in its entirety.

[0040] According to the embodiments, a first segment α is approximately defined between the outgoing end P4 of the first axis X1 (e.g., an incoming end of the U-turning point T) and a first parting line D1, a third segment γ is approximately defined between the incoming end P5 of the second axis X2 (e.g., an outgoing end of the U-turning point T) and a second parting line D2, and a second segment β is approximately defined between the first parting line D1 and the second parting line D2. Accordingly, as the chain moves the preforms along the U-turning point T, the preforms 11 move first along the first segment α, followed by a movement along the second segment β and then along the third segment γ.

[0041] According to the Fig. 4, the preforms 11 transition from a slightly visibly covered state 19b to a visibly uncovered state 19c during the first segment α of the U-turn, and thus the preforms 11 undergo post-heat evaporation within the U-turn to transition from visibly slightly covered 19b to visibly uncovered 19c within the first segment α of the U-turn.

[0042] According to the Fig. 5, the preforms 11 transition from a slightly visibly covered state 19b to a visibly uncovered state 19c during the second segment β of the U-turn T, and thus the preforms 11 undergo post-heat evaporation within the U-turn to transition from slightly visibly covered 19b to visibly uncovered 19c within the second segment β of the U-turn.

[0043] And according to the Fig. 6, the preforms 11 transition from a slightly visibly covered state 19b to a visibly uncovered state 19c during the third segment γ of the U-turn T, and thus the preforms 11 undergo post-heat evaporation within the U-turn T to transition from visibly slightly covered 19b to visibly uncovered 19c within the third segment γ of the U-turn T.

[0044] Accordingly, the drive means 23 moves the preforms 11 from a discharge end P4 of the first axis X1, where they are still visibly covered by the disinfectant substance, to a feed end P5 of the second axis X2, where they are visibly not covered by the disinfectant substance. And, for example, in other words, the drive means 23 moves preforms 11 from a discharge end P3 of the first heating means 26a, where they are still visibly covered by the disinfectant substance, to a feed end P6 of the second heating means 26b, where they are visibly not covered by the disinfectant substance.

[0045] According to embodiments of the invention, control and adjustability can be incorporated with respect to the period of time for which the disinfectant substance remains present and visible in the preforms 11 moving along the first and second axes X1, X2 and the U-turn point T connected therebetween. For example, in certain processes, it is intended to maximize the period of time for which the disinfectant substance remains present and visible on the preforms 11 before they enter the blow molding system 100, but still ensure that the preforms 11 transition to the state in which they are visibly uncovered 19c before they pass the discharge end P8 of the second axis X2.

[0046] According to the embodiments, the method for disinfection is further improved based on the duration, wherein the disinfectant substance in the preforms 11 remains at least slightly visibly covered 19b and before the transition to visibly uncovered 19c.

[0047] According to the embodiments, one or more devices, such as a camera, a sensor, or other image capture device, can be arranged along the first axis X1, the second axis X2, and the U-turn point T to obtain real-time detection of the visibility of the disinfectant substance in the preforms 11. For example, one or more devices can be placed near the viewing angles VP that lie outside the path of the chain 24 and face the chain 24, or one or more devices can be arranged within the defined path of the chain 24 and face outward toward the chain 24 to, for example, capture real-time images and / or videos reflecting whether the disinfectant substance is visible on the preforms 11 as they move along the chain 24 through the preform handling module 5.According to embodiments, the one or more devices may be configured to point in a direction approximately orthogonal to the path of the chain 24, or, for example, the one or more devices may be configured to point in a direction angled relative to the fixed path of the chain 24, wherein the direction of the one or more devices defines an angle between approximately 0.5 and 89.5 degrees relative to the fixed path of the chain 24. According to embodiments, the sequences may vary with respect to the duration during which the preforms 11 remain at least slightly visibly covered 19b as they move therethrough.

[0048] According to certain processes, the preforms 11, for example, pass along the second axis X2 from slightly visibly covered 19b to visibly uncovered 19c (see Fig. 2). According to another embodiment, the preforms 11 transition along the first axis X1 from visibly slightly covered 19b to visibly uncovered 19c (see Fig. 3). And according to a further embodiment, the preforms 11 transition along one of the three segments α, β or γ of the U-turn point T from visibly slightly covered 19b to visibly uncovered 19c.

[0049] According to the embodiments of the invention, a visual inspection of the preforms 11 during their movement along the first axis X1, the second axis X2, and the U-shaped turning point T located therebetween proves that the disinfection of the preforms 11 has taken place, for example, when the preforms 11 transition to a state in which they are visibly uncovered 19c before passing the discharge end P8 of the second axis X2. Accordingly, the disinfection of the preforms 11 can be visually detected by the human eye or a technical system, for example, one or more devices such as a camera, a sensor, or another image capture device.Therefore, the visual detection of the disinfectant solution in the preforms 11 provides a real-time indication that a certain process is still being followed or, for example, that disinfection is complete and the preforms 11 are visibly uncovered 19c, for example, without the disinfectant substance or chemical particles being visible therein (in the present case, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)).

[0050] According to the embodiments, the Fig.The orientation of the preforms 11 shown in Figures 2 to 6 is for illustrative purposes only. According to embodiments of the invention, the orientation of the preforms 11 changes along at least a portion of the first axis X1, the U-turn point T, and / or the second axis X2, for example, to be oriented in a reversed orientation with the opening and neck thereof facing downward and connected to spindles of the chain 24. However, according to alternative embodiments, the orientation of the preforms 11 may remain upright as they pass through the preform handling module 5, or the preforms 11 may, for example, be oriented in any desired manner as they pass through the preform handling module 5.

Claims

[1] Packaging machine with a preform handling module for preparing preforms for container production, the preform handling module comprising: (a) a spray unit (18) for spraying a disinfectant substance into the preforms (11) in order to visibly cover the interior of the preforms (11) with the disinfectant substance; (b) an oven (20) with heating means (26a, 26b) for heating the preforms (11); and (c) drive means (13, 23) for moving the preforms (11) in the spray unit and then for moving the preforms (11) in the oven (20) along the heating means (26a, 26b), wherein the drive means (13, 23) moves the preforms (11) from upstream or a feed area of the heating means (26a, 26b), where they are visibly covered by the disinfectant substance, to downstream or a discharge area of the heating means (26a, 26b), where they are visibly not covered by the disinfectant substance. [2] Packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the drive means (23) extends along one axis (X1) and then along a second axis (X2) in the oven (20) parallel to the first axis (X1), the heating means (26a, 26b) comprising a first heating means (26a) arranged along a portion of the first axis (X1) and a second heating means (26b) arranged along a portion of the second axis (X2). [3] Packaging machine according to claim 2, wherein the first heating means (26a) causes evaporation of at least a part of the disinfectant substance on the preforms (11) so that they are visibly covered before the first heating means (26a) and are less visibly covered directly after the first heating means (26a). [4] Packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the first heating means (26a) does not evaporate all of the disinfectant substance, so that the preform is not invisibly covered directly after the first heating means (26a). [5] Packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the second heating means (26a) evaporates the substance on the preforms (11) so that they are visibly covered in a feeding end (P5) of the second axis (X2) and are not visibly covered in a discharging end (P8) of the second axis (X2). [6] Packaging machine according to claim 4, wherein the second heating means (26a) evaporates the substance on the preforms (11) so that they are visibly covered in a feeding end (P5) of the second axis (X2) and are not visibly covered in a discharging end (P8) of the second axis (X2). [7] Packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the first heating means (26a) evaporates all of the disinfectant substance so that immediately after the first heating means (26a) nothing is visible on the preforms. [8] Packaging machine according to claims 2-7, wherein the drive means comprises a U-turn point (T) between the first axis (X1) and the second axis (X2) for conveying preforms from the first heating means (26a) to the second heating means (26b). [9] Packaging machine according to claim 8, wherein the U-turning point is divided into three segments (α, β or γ) and wherein the preforms (11) are subjected to post-heat evaporation during their movement along at least one of the segments (α, β or γ) of the U-turning point (T). [10] Packaging machine according to claim 9, wherein the preforms (11) are subjected to a post-heat evaporation within the U-turning point (T) in order to transition from visibly light-covered (19b) to visibly uncovered (19c) within the first segment α of the U-turning point (T). [11] Packaging machine according to claim 9, wherein the preforms (11) are subjected to a post-heat evaporation within the U-turning point (T) in order to transition from visibly slightly covered (19b) to visibly uncovered (19c) within the second segment (β) of the U-turning point (T). [12] Packaging machine according to claim 9, wherein the preforms (11) are subjected to a post-heat evaporation within the U-turning point (T) in order to transition from visibly slightly covered (19b) to visibly uncovered (19c) within the third segment (γ) of the U-turning point (T). [13] Packaging machine according to claim 8, wherein the drive means (23) moves preforms (11) from a discharge end (P3) of the first heating means (26a), where they are still visibly covered, to a feed end (P6) of the second heating means (26b), where they are visibly not covered. [14] Packaging machine according to claim 9, wherein the drive means (23) moves preforms (11) from a discharge end (P4) of the first axis (X1), where they are still visibly covered, to the feed area of the second axis (X2), where they are visibly uncovered. [15] Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a preform feeding module (10), wherein the preform feeding module (10) brings preforms (11) to the spraying module (18). [16] Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive means (13, 23) take the form of a rotating star wheel (14) at the level of the spray unit (18) and the form of at least one base wheel (22) at the level of the oven (20).

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