Device for treating containers, device for pressure monitoring, blow molding machine and rotary distributor

Abstract

Device (1) for treating containers with a compressed air supply device (3) which has a compressed air source (6) which is suitable and intended to supply the device (1) for treating containers with low-pressure air and high-pressure air, wherein the low-pressure air is provided in a low-pressure area (8) and the high-pressure air is provided in a high-pressure area, wherein the low-pressure area (8) has a plurality of valve devices (104), in particular shut-off valves, which can be controlled independently of one another by a control device (16), characterized in that the control device (16) controls at least one of the plurality of valve devices (104) such that the low-pressure area (8) has at least two fluidically separable areas (B1, B2, B3, B4) and is measured by means of at least one measuring device (106), in particular a pressure sensor, for each area (B1, B2, B3, B4).B4) a measured value can be determined separately which is characteristic for pressure monitoring, in particular leakage monitoring, of this area (B1, B2, B3, B4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for treating containers with pressure monitoring, as well as a device for pressure monitoring of a rotary distributor. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a blow molding machine and a rotary distributor with pressure monitoring.

[0002] To produce plastic containers, plastic preforms are formed by exposure to compressed air. For this purpose, the preforms are heated, blown in a mold, and stretched using a stretching rod. The preforms are introduced into a variety of treatment devices, particularly blow molding devices, to which the compressed air required for forming is supplied from a compressed air source, such as a compressor, via a compressed air distributor, such as a rotary distributor. The seals of the compressed air distributor are subject to considerable stress, as they must withstand the compressed air transported at high pressure. As a result, the seals become leaky over time due to wear, which leads to a leak and thus the escape of compressed air. Leakage can also occur in other areas, such as valves, compressed air hoses, or connectors.

[0003] The only known way to detect these leaks is through an acoustic signal (whistling) caused by the air escaping from the leak. However, by this time, the pressure loss may already be so severe that production must be immediately interrupted for maintenance, which can result in significant costs due to the production downtime and the large amount of product waste associated with the sudden stop.

[0004] Although the forming process itself can continue before the leak is detected, as long as the compressed air source can still supply sufficient compressed air, the energy consumption of the compressed air source, for example the air compressor, increases significantly during this period, so that the overall effectiveness of the system is impaired and production costs increase.

[0005] For example, manual leak detection is known from EP 3 789 181 A1. This is standard in all (container treatment) machines and allows maintenance personnel, in the event of, for example, unusual noise, to pressurize the entire machine with lower pressure and a significantly reduced line cross-section for safety reasons. To do this, the locking of the safety doors is deactivated, allowing maintenance personnel to locate leaks acoustically, by touch, or with technical aids (e.g., portable ultrasonic leak detectors).

[0006] Furthermore, EP 3 678 844 A1 discloses automatic leak detection, which is optionally available in the (container handling) machine. Automatic leak detection is usually performed independently by the machine once a week (the time interval is configurable). When the container handling machine, for example, a stretch blow molding machine, is in standby mode (the line does not require new containers, e.g., due to a malfunction in the filler), automatic leak detection starts. The entire pneumatic system in the rotating part and a section in the stationary part of the machine are divided into several sections, pressurized with compressed air, and sealed off from each other. The pressure loss or increase (leakage) per unit of time is determined. After the leak detection is complete, the result of this measurement is displayed on an operator terminal. However, long-term storage or graphical processing of the measurement results is not currently carried out on the machine.

[0007] These state-of-the-art leak detection methods are disadvantageous because assessing the repair effort can be difficult for machines that are poorly maintained or incorrectly assembled, and therefore may have multiple leaks. By applying pressure to the entire machine, only the largest leak can be easily located, whereas smaller leaks are masked and only noticed after the larger one has been repaired. Furthermore, the supply may be insufficient due to the significantly reduced pipe cross-section, meaning the specified pressure level is not reached within the programmed time.

[0008] The individual sections into which the container treatment system is divided for automatic leak detection sometimes comprise a large number of components and a complex network of pipes, so that leak detection is also inaccurate here.

[0009] Currently, the measured values ​​obtained during automatic leak detection are displayed on an operator terminal, but are overwritten with the next measurement. Therefore, no long-term recording is currently taking place, and the data only allows for a current status analysis. A trend analysis over months or years is not possible.

[0010] When servicing the rotary distributor, several reduction stations must also be dismantled. The double reduction station is by far the largest and, due to its shape, the most cumbersome. The dismantled reduction stations must be temporarily stored and secured at the side of the console. The weight and dimensions of the assembly make this a very demanding task.

[0011] The present invention is therefore based on the object of eliminating the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, of simplifying and making leak detection more accurate. This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0012] The invention is therefore directed to a device for treating containers with a compressed air supply device, which has a compressed air source which is suitable and intended to provide low-pressure air and high-pressure air to the device for treating containers, wherein the low-pressure air is provided in a low-pressure region and the high-pressure air is provided in a high-pressure region, wherein the low-pressure region has a plurality of valve devices, in particular shut-off valves, which can be controlled independently of one another by a control device.

[0013] According to the invention, the control device controls at least one of the plurality of valve devices in such a way that the low-pressure region has at least two fluidically separable regions and by means of a measuring device, in particular a pressure sensor, a measured value can be determined separately for each region, which is characteristic for pressure monitoring, in particular leakage monitoring, of this region.

[0014] The device for treating containers is preferably a device for forming (plastic) containers, in particular a blow molding machine or a stretch blow molding machine. The container treatment device can preferably be any other device that requires or uses compressed air for treating containers.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the low-pressure region has at least three fluidically separable regions, and particularly preferably four fluidically separable regions. More than four fluidically separated regions are also conceivable if this appears necessary or expedient.

[0016] In prior art leak detection devices, the entire low-pressure area was one of the multiple sections into which the pneumatics or pressure supply of the machine was divided for automatic leak detection. It is now proposed that this low-pressure area itself be divided into several sections, since data recorded over a longer period of time has shown that the most frequent leaks occur within the low-pressure area.

[0017] The low-pressure section consists of at least two control pressures (optionally an additional third control pressure) and the system pressure for the blow nozzle preload. These up to four control pressures encompass a large number of connections, lines, T-pieces, etc. To achieve better localization for leak detection and pressure monitoring in the future, the existing low-pressure section will be divided into up to four individual sections or areas. In particular, this allows the area in which compressed air is escaping or a leak is present to be determined very precisely, and any defective / leaking valve devices or other leaks in the system, such as incorrectly installed or defective hoses and connecting elements, can be detected at an early stage.

[0018] If the low-pressure range is divided into two zones, the first zone is preferably the first and second (and optionally third) control pressures, and the second zone is the tuyere preload. If the low-pressure range has three zones, the first zone is preferably the first control pressure, the second zone is the second control pressure, and the third zone is the tuyere preload. If the low-pressure range has four zones, the first zone is preferably the first control pressure, the second zone is the second control pressure, the third zone is the third control pressure, and the fourth zone is the tuyere preload.

[0019] The manual leak detection known from the prior art is therefore expanded so that only specific areas of the low-pressure range can be pressurized. This allows each area of ​​the low-pressure range, for example, starting with the control pressures, to be tested and inspected for leaks one after the other. Once all control pressures have been pressurized for the test, ring channels, for example, can also be activated individually.

[0020] With automatic leak detection, the "low pressure" section is replaced by at least two, preferably at least three, and particularly preferably at least four areas, which are controlled sequentially. If an additional control pressure is added during a machine update or the existing line network is expanded, these extensions can be incorporated into the existing sections or divided into separate sections.

[0021] The division of the low-pressure region into at least two and preferably four regions is achieved, as mentioned above, by the use of valve devices that can be controlled individually. The valves can preferably be controlled by any type of signal, such as a cam control, pneumatically, electrically, hydraulically or manually by manually actuating the valve. In particular, at least one valve device is therefore preferably controlled and in particular blocked in such a way that at least one region of the low-pressure region is fluidically separated from the other regions. Instead of valve devices, all conceivable shut-off elements can preferably be used for this purpose, regardless of the type of control, which are capable of fluidically or flow-wise separating at least two regions from one another. The regions of the low-pressure region are preferably also fluidically separated from the environment (e.g.machine hall) separated.

[0022] In particular, compared to the prior art, the proposed invention is advantageous because low pressure can be applied to specific individual areas of the section that is largely affected by leaks.

[0023] The measured value determined by the measuring device, which is characteristic for pressure monitoring, in particular leakage monitoring, is in particular a measured value that is characteristic for pressure monitoring over time. In particular, based on a pressure value over a specified time, it is determined whether the pressure value lies within specified tolerance limits within one of the specified times and therefore whether a fault (e.g., leakage) exists or not. In other words, the determination of whether compressed air is escaping from an area to be tested can be made based on the temporal progression of the air pressure in this area and / or in an area adjacent to this area.

[0024] Accordingly, measuring the temporal progression of the air pressure in, for example, one area, with suitable switching and pressurized air application, can preferably allow conclusions to be drawn about preferably two areas, namely the pressurized area itself and a directly adjacent area. When pressurization is applied and the valve devices for the first area are correspondingly activated, the second area, which is adjacent to this first area, can thus also be checked simultaneously. If, for example, the second area is pressurized and the corresponding valve devices are activated, a simultaneous check of the first and third areas, which are adjacent to the second area, can preferably also be carried out.

[0025] This is advantageous because it keeps the number of pressure sensors required low and also allows potential areas in which pressure sensors can only be installed with difficulty or not at all to be examined for leaks.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the device therefore has a pressure sensor in at least one region of the low-pressure region, which is suitable and intended to detect an air pressure and, in particular, a pressure change in this region. Preferably, the device has a pressure sensor in each of the regions of the low-pressure region, which is suitable and intended to detect an air pressure and, in particular, a pressure change in these regions.

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment, the device has a measuring device, in particular a sensor, in at least one and preferably each region of the low-pressure region, which is suitable and intended to detect an air flow in this region.

[0028] The aforementioned measuring device is therefore preferably a pressure sensor. The control device preferably receives the measured values ​​from the measuring device / pressure sensors and evaluates them or creates a display of the pressure values ​​over a specified time period.

[0029] This acquisition of the measured values ​​can preferably be carried out as part of a leak test run, for example, during maintenance within a maintenance operation. Such a leak test run preferably does not take place during a production operation in which plastic preforms and / or plastic containers are being processed and, in particular, formed. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure monitoring therefore takes place automatically at predetermined times and, in particular, outside of a production operation. If the measuring device for pressure monitoring is designed as a flow meter, monitoring during production is preferably also possible.

[0030] The test drive involves pressurizing the area to be tested with compressed air and isolating it from other areas and the environment. While the area to be tested is isolated, the temporal progression of the air pressure in this area and / or in the area(s) adjacent to this area is determined. As mentioned, the temporal progression of the air pressure can be determined based on measured values ​​from one or more pressure sensors arranged in the area to be tested and / or an adjacent area. The pressure sensors can preferably be analogue pressure sensors. Acoustic sensors, flow meters, pressure transducers, pressure switches or other sensors which are suitable and intended for detecting pressure values ​​are also conceivable.

[0031] Test runs can preferably be performed regularly in the form of predetermined or freely selectable test cycles, for example, after a specified number of operating hours. Test runs can also preferably be performed repeatedly during standby phases of the device. Such long-term monitoring makes it possible to diagnose which parts are affected by wear, particularly leaks, by observing changes in leakage values.

[0032] Preferably, it can be determined that compressed air escapes from the area to be tested if the air pressure in this area drops, for example, falls below a predetermined limit value or limit range in a predetermined measuring period and / or falls at a rate that is greater than a predetermined limit value, and / or if the ratio of pressure loss to a predetermined pressure value, for example a target pressure value, or a measured pressure value, for example the pressure value at the start of the measurement, is greater than a predetermined limit value.

[0033] Preferably, it can also be determined (alternatively or additionally) that compressed air is escaping from the area to be tested into an adjacent area if the air pressure in the adjacent area increases, for example, increases above a predetermined limit and / or increases at a rate greater than a predetermined limit, and / or if the ratio of pressure increase to a predetermined pressure value, for example a target pressure value, or a measured pressure value, for example the pressure value at the start of the measurement, is greater than a predetermined limit. If compressed air escapes from the area to be tested into the adjacent area, this means that the valve device between the area to be tested and the adjacent area is leaking.

[0034] If the limit values ​​are adhered to, the air pressure is within a specified tolerance range or it can be assumed that the air pressure is within a specified tolerance range and there is no leakage.

[0035] If the above-mentioned time course shows that compressed air is escaping from the area to be tested and flowing into an adjacent area, it can also be concluded that the valve device between the area to be tested and the adjacent area is leaking.

[0036] If the respective time course shows that compressed air is escaping from the area to be tested but no compressed air is flowing into an adjacent area, it can be concluded that the valve device between the area to be tested and the adjacent area is tight and the compressed air is escaping at a different point or in a different area.

[0037] Preferably, the time course of the air pressure in the area to be tested can also be compared with the time course of the air pressure in an adjacent area and, based on the comparison, it can be determined whether a pressure drop in the area to be tested occurs exclusively through the escape of compressed air into the adjacent area, exclusively through the escape of compressed air into the environment and / or other adjacent areas or partly through the escape of compressed air into the adjacent area and into other adjacent areas and / or the environment.

[0038] The compressed air supply device preferably has at least one and particularly preferably several reducing stations and a pressure compressor, wherein the compressed air source can be such a pressure compressor.

[0039] In particular, the compressed air supply device supplies a rotary distributor with compressed air, which distributes compressed air to various treatment stations, such as via ring channels on blow molding devices.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the measured values ​​are stored for a predetermined period of time in a storage device such as a cloud. Preferably, the data can also be processed graphically. This is advantageous because it allows the operator or maintenance personnel to view a long-term recording including trend lines, average values, minimum and maximum values ​​within a user-defined time frame for each area of ​​the low-pressure range directly on the operator terminal of the machine or device. This particularly facilitates forecasts for maintenance personnel regarding the extent to which values ​​deteriorate over time and when preventative maintenance is therefore necessary. The storage device therefore enables long-term storage of the data, including evaluation options, as well as the creation of leak reports.

[0041] In a further preferred embodiment, the valve devices are selected from a group of valves which includes pressure valves, directional control valves, check valves, flow control valves and the like.

[0042] In a further preferred embodiment, the device has several reduction stations that can be controlled independently of one another and removed from the device. Particularly preferably, the previous two-fold reduction station (one component), which provides several pressure levels such as the blowing pressure P2, the control pressure PP1, the control pressure PP2, the control pressure PP3 (optional), and the control pressure for the blowing nozzle preload, is divided into two smaller, independent reduction stations (two components). Preferably, the first reduction station P2 now exclusively provides the blowing pressure P2, and the second reduction station provides the three (or four) control air pressures.This is advantageous with regard to handling during assembly, repair and maintenance of the assemblies, since the separation results in a significantly lower weight and more manageable assemblies that do not need to be dismantled during maintenance of the rotary distributor.

[0043] The present invention is further directed to a method for treating containers with a compressed air supply device, wherein a compressed air source provides low-pressure air and high-pressure air, wherein the low-pressure air is provided in a low-pressure region and the high-pressure air is provided in a high-pressure region, wherein the low-pressure region has a plurality of valve devices, in particular shut-off valves, which are controlled independently of one another.

[0044] According to the invention, at least one of the plurality of valve devices is controlled in such a way that the low-pressure region has at least two fluidically separable regions and a measured value is determined separately for each region, which is characteristic for pressure monitoring, in particular leakage monitoring, of this region.

[0045] The device described above is particularly designed and intended to carry out the described method, ie all features described for the device described above are also disclosed for the method described here and vice versa.

[0046] As mentioned above, the compressed air supply system is connected to a rotary distributor, which distributes the compressed air to various treatment stations, such as blow molding devices.

[0047] This rotary distributor is preferably equipped with several leak holes, which allow air to escape from the housing of the rotary distributor into the environment in the event of a leak. This prevents an unwanted pressure buildup within the rotary distributor.

[0048] The current measuring principle for leak detection in the rotary distributor section is based on applying pressure to the valve and then shutting off or deactivating the supply and outlet lines. The interval-based automatic measurement / leak detection of the rotary distributor requires additional valve and sensor devices in addition to the existing machine equipment, which leads to higher costs and increased space requirements for some machine components.

[0049] A weekly interval, for example, makes it very easy to detect a leak caused by normal seal wear. However, a minor leak is difficult for an operator to detect, as the slight / quiet noise from the leak holes is drowned out by the general noise level in the production hall. Only a strong air leak, i.e. a major leak, is noticed by the operator. However, this usually leaves little time to schedule maintenance before a complete machine and system shutdown results. Early detection allows for planned actions and prevents unplanned production downtime and the resulting costs.

[0050] A rapidly occurring defect, e.g., caused by particles in the compressed air (defective filter, metallic abrasion on valves or ball valves), is not immediately detected by the automatic leak detection system. If a sterilization cycle is run on aseptic blow molding machines before the next measurement, H2O2 escapes into the environment during this time. The measured value [bar / min] displayed on the control terminal also provides only a limited indication of the actual amount of compressed air escaping.

[0051] The present invention is therefore also directed to a device for pressure monitoring, in particular leakage monitoring, of a rotary distributor, wherein the rotary distributor is suitable and intended to supply compressed air to a plurality of container treatment stations of at least one container treatment device and the rotary distributor comprises a housing and a plurality of openings through which compressed air can escape.

[0052] According to the invention, at least one of these openings and preferably each of these openings is assigned a sensor device which is suitable and intended to detect compressed air and / or an escape of compressed air at the openings.

[0053] In contrast to the prior art leakage monitoring of rotary distributors, which involves applying compressed air to the rotary distributor, shutting off lines, and measuring the pressure change, it is now proposed to perform the measurement (directly) at the openings and thus determine the actual amount of air escaping through the leakage holes. This measurement can preferably be performed at each individual opening, also referred to as the leakage hole, or centrally by combining hose lines and distributors for all holes.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the sensor device is selected from a group of sensor devices including pressure sensors, acoustic sensors, flow meters, pressure transducers, pressure switches and the like.

[0055] The flow meters can preferably operate according to the Coriolis, vortex, thermal, or other flow meter measuring principles. This allows even the smallest air volumes to be precisely detected, and the machine control system can issue a warning message if necessary.

[0056] To measure leaks, the leakage holes are preferably closed individually or collectively with a valve. If a leak and / or a leak is present, the pressure in the space between the seal of the rotary distributor and the valve increases. This pressure increase is preferably detected by the sensor device, and a corresponding signal is preferably sent to the machine control system. The valve used for this purpose can preferably be a check valve, whereby an opening pressure can be determined by the preload of the spring. However, an electrically controlled directional control valve, which is activated after a certain pressure increase is detected, would also be conceivable.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the device has a storage device in which measured values ​​recorded by the sensor device(s) are stored for a predetermined period of time. The storage device is preferably a cloud. Preferably, the measured data can also be processed graphically. Preferably, this data is displayed on an operating terminal of the device or can be retrieved from this, so that an operator or maintenance personnel can have a long-term recording including trend line, mean values, minimum and maximum pressure values ​​displayed in a user-defined time window directly on the device. In order to reduce the amount of data, it is preferably conceivable to only store data points for a predetermined period of time, such as one week, with a resolution of, for example, one second.After one week, averages could then be calculated from the data points, preferably with a resolution of one hour, for example. The normal lifespan of the seals in a rotary distributor is approximately 18,000 to 24,000 hours of production operation. Data storage therefore preferably covers at least one life cycle of the seals. However, other storage periods are also conceivable, such as more than one life cycle of the seals, in order to be able to compare the measurement data from multiple seals, for example.

[0058] The current measured values ​​of the state-of-the-art automatic detection system are displayed on the control terminal and overwritten during the next measurement. Therefore, no long-term recording takes place in the state-of-the-art technology, and the data only allows for a current status analysis, not a trend analysis over months or years.

[0059] Long-term storage makes it easier for maintenance personnel to predict the extent to which values ​​will deteriorate over time and when preventative maintenance is necessary. It is also advantageous to use the measurement results of multiple seals over their respective lifetimes. Leakage reports for each seal can be exported and stored, preferably on a connected storage medium such as a USB stick or directly in the cloud.

[0060] If a leak occurs during production in aseptic blow molding machines, the consequences are very minor, as with standard machines. Only the energy consumption for generating the compressed air increases slightly. However, after a set cycle, sterilization with H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) takes place, which then also escapes through the leak holes on the rotary distributor. In the immediate vicinity, however, the H2O2 can cause corrosion on components, cables, hoses, electrical plugs, etc. Furthermore, the concentration in the ambient air of the system increases, which in turn endangers the personnel in the hall. Therefore, the device preferably has an H2O2 measuring device that measures the workplace concentration. If an alarm is triggered due to an increased H2O2 concentration, the H2O2 has already leaked out.Through the inventive leak detection by means of at least one sensor device at the openings of the rotary distributor, an alarm signal is preferably generated as soon as the sensor device detects that pressurized fluid is escaping from the rotary distributor. The device can thus be shut down before the next sterilization with H2O2, preventing the unwanted leakage of H2O2 and the resulting damage.

[0061] The proposed procedure and arrangement for leak detection and leak monitoring is advantageous because the previous shut-off device in the supply line to the rotary distributor is no longer required, thus saving costs. The proposed arrangement also requires very little space. If a flow meter is used as the sensor device, the measurement result is a volume flow per unit of time, which can preferably be used directly to assess the severity of the leak. A predefined limit value is preferably between 8 Nltr / min and 12 Nltr / min, preferably between 9 Nltr / min and 11 Nltr / min, and particularly preferably 10 Nltr / min.

[0062] Preferably, the sensor device monitors the openings permanently or continuously, instead of the previous weekly interval, in order to detect any leaks early on or immediately. As described above, this is particularly advantageous with regard to aseptic devices, thus preventing the escape of H2O2 during sterilization of the device.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the sensor device continuously detects a measured value characteristic of the compressed air and / or an escape of the compressed air at the openings during production operation.

[0064] The present invention is further directed to a method for pressure monitoring, in particular leakage monitoring, of a rotary distributor, wherein the rotary distributor supplies compressed air to a plurality of container treatment stations of at least one container treatment device, wherein the rotary distributor comprises a housing and a plurality of openings through which compressed air escapes.

[0065] According to the invention, compressed air and / or a leakage of compressed air at the openings is detected at at least one of these openings and preferably at each of these openings.

[0066] The device described above is particularly designed and intended to carry out the described method, ie all features described for the device described above are also disclosed for the method described here and vice versa.

[0067] Furthermore, the present invention is also directed to a blow molding machine for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, comprising a plurality of blow molding devices which are arranged on a rotatable support and which each comprise at least two blow mold parts which form a cavity within which the plastic preforms are formed into the plastic containers, and comprising a pressurizing device which applies compressed air to the plastic preforms for their forming, wherein the compressed air is provided via a compressed air supply device.

[0068] According to the invention, the compressed air supply device has at least one measuring device and / or at least one sensor device which determines at least one physical value which is characteristic of pressure monitoring, in particular leakage monitoring, and / or escape of compressed air in at least one predetermined region of the compressed air supply device.

[0069] Before the plastic preforms are fed to the blow molding machine, they are preferably first thermally conditioned in a heating section and then expanded by exposure to a liquid or gaseous medium. The flowable medium is preferably pressurized. For the supply of the pressurized medium, the blow molding machine has a blow nozzle, which can be sealingly applied to an opening of the plastic preforms in order to expand the plastic preforms with the liquid or gaseous medium. In addition, a valve arrangement is preferably provided, which controls the supply of blow air to the plastic preforms.

[0070] In particular, the blow molding machine can be a stretch blow molding machine, meaning that the preforms are stretched longitudinally by means of a stretch rod before and / or during expansion. The blow molding machine also has several blow molding stations, each of which has stretch rods that can be inserted into the plastic preforms and stretch the plastic preforms longitudinally. The stretch rods are preferably electric-driven.

[0071] In an advantageous embodiment, a plurality of blow-molding stations are arranged on a common movable carrier. This carrier is in particular a rotatable carrier. The blow-molding stations each have a blow-molding device, which preferably forms a cavity within which the plastic preforms can be expanded to form the plastic containers. These blow-molding devices are preferably designed in several parts and have two blow-molding halves and a base mold. These blow-molding halves are preferably detachably arranged on a mold carrier shell or on the blow-molding carriers. The blow-molding carriers are pivotable relative to one another in order to open and close the blow-molding devices. In addition, the blow-molding carrier has locking mechanisms for locking the mold halves against one another during the blow-molding process.

[0072] Particularly preferably, the blow molding machine or the carrier and the blow molding devices are arranged within a clean room, which separates the blow molding machine from a non-sterile environment. Drive devices for closing, locking, and / or opening the blow molds are preferably arranged outside the clean room.

[0073] The blow molding devices are preferably transported within the cleanroom. The cleanroom is preferably defined by several walls. The cleanroom is preferably defined by at least one stationary wall and a wall moving relative to this stationary wall. The cleanroom separates the blow molding devices, in particular, from a non-sterile environment. The cleanroom is advantageously designed in a ring or torus shape around the blow molding stations or forming stations and / or the transport path of the plastic containers.

[0074] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a rotary distributor suitable and intended for supplying compressed air to at least one container treatment device, and preferably to a plurality of container treatment devices. According to the invention, pressure monitoring, in particular leakage monitoring, is carried out on the rotary distributor according to one of the devices described above.

[0075] Further advantages and embodiments are shown in the attached drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a part of the compressed air supply in a device according to the invention for treating containers; Fig. 2 a highly simplified schematic representation of the compressed air supply with leakage monitoring; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the 2-fold reduction station known from the prior art; Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b schematic representations of the reduction stations according to the invention; Fig. 5 an enlarged view of a device according to the invention for pressure monitoring of the rotary distributor; Fig. 6 an enlarged view of the rotary distributor with leakage monitoring according to the invention.

[0076] Fig. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a part of the compressed air supply in a device 1 according to the invention for treating containers (not shown), in particular a blow molding machine 50. The device 1 or blow molding machine 50 has a plurality of blowing stations 60 (in Fig. 1), in particular blow molding devices 2. The blow molding stations 60 each have a pressurizing device 62 for pressurizing the plastic preforms (not shown) with compressed air. Reference numeral 64 denotes compressed air lines via which compressed air is supplied to the blow molding stations 60.

[0077] A rotary distributor 5 distributes the compressed air provided by the compressed air supply system (not shown in this figure) via the low-pressure area 8 to several ring channels 9-12 (only 9, 10, and 12 are shown in this illustration). Reference numerals 21 and 22 identify the two independent first and second reduction stations.

[0078] Fig. Figure 2 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of the compressed air supply with leakage monitoring. It can be seen that a compressed air supply device 3 with compressed air source 6 supplies the rotary distributor 5 with compressed air, and from there the compressed air reaches a low-pressure area (not shown). Valve devices, reducing units, and the like located between the rotary distributor 5 and the low-pressure area (not shown) have been omitted for the sake of simplicity. These are known from the prior art and are not part of the present invention.

[0079] The low-pressure area provides the control compressed air for the ring channels 105, which is then fed from the ring channels 105 to the blow molding devices of the blow molding stations 60.

[0080] The low-pressure region has four regions B1-B4, which are schematically represented by dashed lines, wherein the first region B1 contains the annular channel 105 for the first control pressure, the second region B2 contains the annular channel 105 for the second control pressure, the third region B3 contains the annular channel 105 for the third control pressure, and the fourth region B4 contains the annular channel 105 for the blowing nozzle preload. Individual regions B1-B4 can be fluidically separated from one another via the valve devices 106, which are in particular shut-off valves, wherein the valve devices 106 are controlled accordingly by the control device 16, i.e., opened and / or closed.

[0081] In this embodiment, each area B1-B4 is assigned its own measuring device 106, in particular a pressure sensor, which determines a measured value for each area B1-B4 separately, which is characteristic for pressure monitoring, in particular leakage monitoring, of this area. These measured values ​​are preferably stored in a memory device 17 for a predetermined period of time. Reference numeral 108 also represents a pressure sensor, but here it is a pressure sensor for the (entire) rotary distributor section.

[0082] The reference numerals 64 or the solid lines between the components indicate compressed air lines through which the compressed air is guided.

[0083] The reference numerals 101, 102 and 103 are pressure regulators, wherein the pressure regulator 101 regulates the compressed air provided by the rotary distributor 5 for PP1 to 10 bar, the pressure regulator 102 regulates the pressure for PP2 to 5 bar and the pressure regulator 103 regulates the pressure for PP3 to 7 bar.

[0084] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the prior art double reduction station 20. In contrast, the Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b schematic representations of the reduction stations 21, 22 according to the invention, wherein the double reduction station 20 has been divided into two independent reduction stations 21 and 22. The first reduction station 21 provides exclusively the blowing pressure P2, and the second reduction station 22 provides the three (or four) control air pressures or the working air.

[0085] Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of a device 100 according to the invention for pressure monitoring of the rotary distributor 5. The rotary distributor 5 has a housing 51 and openings 52 through which compressed air can escape from the rotary distributor 5 in the event of a leak. Compressed air lines 55 are connected to the openings 52 and are connected to a sensor device 53 to detect a leak. Reference numeral 57 denotes a memory device in which the measurement data acquired by the sensor device can be stored for a predetermined period of time. Furthermore, a control device 56 is provided, which is in communication with the sensor device and / or the memory device and can, for example, interrupt the air supply to the rotary distributor in the event of a leak, for example by closing valves.

[0086] The reference numerals 21 and 22 indicate the arrangement of the first and second reducing stations.

[0087] Fig. Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of the rotary distributor 5 with leakage monitoring according to the invention. The rotary distributor 5 has a housing 51 and openings 52 covered by the compressed air lines 55, through which compressed air can escape from the rotary distributor 5 in the event of a leak. Leakage monitoring is performed via the compressed air lines 55 and the sensor device 53 connected to these compressed air lines 55. If compressed air escapes from the openings 52, the sensor device 53 can, depending on the design of the sensor device, detect, for example, a pressure increase or the flow rate.

[0088] The openings 52 of the rotary distributor 5 were combined here and jointly connected to a sensor device 53 via compressed air lines 55. However, it is also conceivable for each opening to have its own compressed air line and its own sensor device.

[0089] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided they are novel, individually or in combination, over the prior art. It is further noted that the individual figures also describe features that may be advantageous in and of themselves. The skilled person will immediately recognize that a specific feature described in a figure may be advantageous even without adopting further features from that figure. Furthermore, the skilled person will recognize that advantages may also arise from a combination of several features shown in individual or different figures. List of reference symbols 1 device 2 blow molding equipment, container treatment station 3 Compressed air supply device 5 rotary distributors 6 Compressed air source 8 Low pressure range 16 Control device 17 Storage device 20 2-way reducing station 21 first reduction station 22 second reduction station 50 blow molding machine, container treatment device 51 housings 52 openings 53 Sensor device 55 compressed air lines 56 Control device 57 Storage device 60 blowing stations 62 loading device 64 compressed air lines 100 device 101 Pressure regulator PP1 (10 bar) 102 Pressure regulator PP2 (5 bar) 103 Pressure regulator PP3 (7 bar) 104 Valve device, shut-off valve 105 Ring Canal 106 Measuring device, pressure sensor 108 Pressure sensor section rotary distributor B1 first area B2 second area B3 third area B4 fourth area QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 789 181 A1

[0005] EP 3 678 844 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Device (1) for treating containers with a compressed air supply device (3) which has a compressed air source (6) which is suitable and intended to provide the device (1) for treating containers with low-pressure air and high-pressure air, wherein the low-pressure air is provided in a low-pressure region (8) and the high-pressure air is provided in a high-pressure region, wherein the low-pressure region (8) has a plurality of valve devices (104), in particular shut-off valves, which can be controlled independently of one another by a control device (16), characterized bythat the control device (16) controls at least one of the plurality of valve devices (104) in such a way that the low-pressure region (8) has at least two fluidically separable regions (B1, B2, B3, B4) and by means of at least one measuring device (106), in particular a pressure sensor, a measured value can be determined separately for each region (B1, B2, B3, B4), which is characteristic for pressure monitoring, in particular leakage monitoring, of this region (B1, B2, B3, B4). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the low-pressure region (8) has at least three fluidically separable regions (B1, B2, B3) and particularly preferably four fluidically separable regions (B1, B2, B3, B4). [3] Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the device (1) has in at least one and preferably each of the regions (B1, B2, B3, B4) of the low-pressure region (8) a pressure sensor (106) which is suitable and intended to detect an air pressure and in particular a pressure change in this region (B1, B2, B3, B4). [4] Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the device (1) has in at least one and preferably each region (B1, B2, B3, B4) of the low-pressure region a measuring device (106), in particular a sensor, which is suitable and intended to detect an air flow in this region. [5] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the measured values ​​are stored in a storage device (17) for a predetermined period of time. [6] Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the valve devices (104) are selected from a group of valves which includes pressure valves, directional control valves, check valves, flow control valves and the like. [7] Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the device (1) has several reducing stations (21, 22) which can be controlled independently of one another and removed from the device (1). [8] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that pressure monitoring takes place automatically at specified times and in particular outside of a production plant. [9] Device (100) for pressure monitoring, in particular leakage monitoring, of a rotary distributor (5), wherein the rotary distributor (5) is suitable and intended to supply compressed air to a plurality of container treatment stations (2) of at least one container treatment device (50) and the rotary distributor (5) comprises a housing (51) and a plurality of openings (52) through which compressed air can escape, characterized by that at least one of these openings (52) and preferably each of these openings (52) is assigned a sensor device (53) which is suitable and intended to detect compressed air and / or an escape of compressed air at the openings (52). [10] Device (100) according to claim 8, characterized by that the sensor device (53) is selected from a group of sensor devices which includes pressure sensors, acoustic sensors, flow meters, pressure transducers, pressure switches and the like. [11] Device (100) according to claim 8, characterized by that the device (100) has a storage device (57) in which measured values ​​detected by the sensor device(s) (53) are stored for a predetermined period of time. [12] Device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sensor device (53) continuously detects a measured value characteristic of the compressed air and / or an escape of the compressed air at the openings (52) during production operation. [13] Blow molding machine (50) for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, comprising a plurality of blow molding devices (2) which are arranged on a rotatable support and which each comprise at least two blow mold parts which form a cavity within which the plastic preforms are formed into the plastic containers, and comprising a pressurizing device (62) which applies compressed air to the plastic preforms for their forming, wherein the compressed air is provided via a compressed air supply device (3) characterized bythat the compressed air supply device (3) has at least one measuring device (4) and / or at least one sensor device (53) which determines at least one physical value which is characteristic of pressure monitoring, in particular leakage monitoring, and / or escape of compressed air in at least one predetermined region of the compressed air supply device (3). [14] Rotary distributor (5) which is suitable and intended for providing compressed air for at least one container treatment device (50) and preferably a plurality of container treatment devices (50), characterized by that pressure monitoring, in particular leakage monitoring according to one of claims 1 and / or 8, is carried out on the rotary distributor (5).

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