Blow-moulding module for a blow-moulding installation

Abstract

The invention relates to a blow-moulding module for a blow-moulding installation for transforming plastics preforms into containers using a blow mould (1) and a blowing device associated with the blow mould (1), wherein the blow mould (1) comprises at least two mould parts (6) which together form a blowing cavity and can each be fastened to an associated mould carrier (5), and wherein a temperature-control device is provided for heating and / or cooling the mould parts (6). According to the invention, the temperature-control device has, located in each of the mould parts (6) or formed in each of the mould parts (6), temperature-control units which can each be connected to the associated mould carrier (5) by way of at least one media interface (9, 10).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Blowing module for a blowing system

[0003] The present invention relates to a blow molding module for a blow molding system for forming plastic preforms into containers, comprising a blow mold and a blow molding device associated with the blow mold, wherein the blow mold has at least two molded parts which together form a blow cavity and which are each attachable, in particular fastened, to an associated mold carrier, and wherein a temperature control device is provided for heating and / or cooling the molded parts.

[0004] The invention relates in particular to blow-molding modules in the field of beverage technology, so that the containers are beverage containers, especially beverage bottles. These are typically initially manufactured from plastic preforms. Within a blow-molding system, these plastic preforms are first fed into a blow-molding system and then heated in a heating device. This heating softens the material of the plastic preforms, which is usually polyethylene terephthalate (PET), so that it can be easily expanded in the subsequent blow-molding process.

[0005] After heating, the plastic preforms are inserted into the blow molds. The blow mold forms a blow cavity that accommodates the plastic preforms and has a contour that corresponds to the container to be manufactured from them. Consequently, the blow cavity is a negative of the container to be manufactured. The blow mold is usually made up of at least two blow halves, with these blow halves being designed to be pivotable relative to one another. This makes it possible to insert the plastic preforms laterally and then close the blow mold by pivoting the blow mold halves relative to one another. A blowing fluid is then introduced, which presses the side walls of the plastic preforms against the blow cavity. At the same time, during stretch blow molding, a so-called stretch rod can also be inserted vertically into the plastic preforms, causing the plastic preform to expand longitudinally.

[0006] The blowing fluid is typically a gas, particularly compressed air. Alternatively, it is also possible to directly apply a filling medium to the plastic preforms. This not only expands the preforms but also simultaneously fills the container. This process is also commonly referred to as the FormFill method.

[0007] The invention further relates in particular to blow molds in which the blow mold halves are each formed from a mold carrier and a mold part. The actual blow cavity is then formed by the mold parts, which are attached to the associated mold carrier. Such a design is advantageous because, during a mold change, only the mold parts, not the mold carriers, need to be replaced. Accordingly, only the mold parts to be replaced differ in the design of the contour forming the blow cavity, while the mold carriers remain the same.

[0008] A particular advantage of such a design is that, for example, temperature control devices can be arranged in the mold carrier, which heat and / or cool the molded parts through heat conduction. This makes it possible to prevent local cooling in the material of the plastic preforms through targeted heating, which could lead to damage to the container being manufactured. At the same time, active cooling can also take place in the area of ​​the so-called neck ring. The neck ring is a protruding section of material below a head section of the plastic preform, which is usually already finished with an external thread. This external thread serves to accommodate a closure cap. Such a design is particularly advantageous and is used in a wide variety of blow molding processes in the field of beverage technology.At the same time, it is not necessary to provide corresponding tempering devices directly in the molded parts, so that these can be easily replaced without any adjustments to the tempering device being necessary.

[0009] At the same time, however, it has also been shown that the spatial distance between the temperature control device and the inner walls of the molded part results in excessive temperature differences depending on the shape of the container to be formed, which only allows inefficient temperature control of the plastic preforms.

[0010] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a blow molding module for a blow molding system which enables better and more efficient temperature control of the plastic preforms or the containers to be formed.

[0011] This object is achieved by a blow molding module according to claim 1. Accordingly, the invention provides that the temperature control device has temperature control units arranged in the mold parts or formed in the mold parts, which can each be connected, in particular connected, to the associated mold carriers via at least one media interface.

[0012] Based on a two-part design of the blow mold halves, a temperature control device is now provided that extends directly into the molded parts via the temperature control units. Accordingly, heating and / or cooling takes place directly in the molded part, thus close to the blow cavity.

[0013] Accordingly, it is now also necessary for the temperature control units to be actively operated during blow molding. For this purpose, media interfaces are provided, via which the temperature control units can be connected to a media source. This media source is connected to the molded part via a media-carrying line, whereby the temperature control unit can then also be connected to the media source via the media interface.

[0014] In principle, the media source can be a fluid source, so that the temperature control unit is controlled by a heating and / or cooling fluid. This heating and / or cooling fluid can be either liquid or gaseous. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the temperature control units to generate electrical heating, so that the media source is then a power source. Accordingly, the connecting lines are either fluid lines or electrical lines.

[0015] In addition, in principle, several media interfaces can also be provided on just one molded part. For example, it is conceivable for one media interface to provide a feed line and a second media interface to provide a return line. Even with an electrical connection, at least two media interfaces are generally required. In addition, several temperature control units can be arranged within a molded part, so that at least one media interface, but preferably two media interfaces, are provided for each temperature control unit. Such a configuration is conceivable, for example, if cooling of the molded part is required in the area of ​​the neck ring or in the upper area of ​​the blow cavity and heating is required in the lower area of ​​the blow cavity.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the molded parts are detachably attached to the mold carriers, or each molded part is detachably attached to the associated mold carrier. As already explained above, this makes it possible to replace the molded parts without requiring a simultaneous replacement of the mold carriers. According to such an embodiment, it is also expedient to design the media interface so that it can be separated.

[0017] According to a further development of the invention, the mold carriers each have a coupling device which is designed to fasten the associated mold parts in a locked position and to release them in an open position. Accordingly, the coupling device can effect an adjustment between the locked position and the open position. This makes it possible to fasten the mold part after it has been inserted into the respective mold carrier by placing the coupling device in the locked position. At the same time, the mold part can then be released and removed by the coupling device for a further change in the open position. In this context, it should be noted that the blow molds are essentially round in cross-section, wherein the mold carrier is essentially bowl-shaped accordingly and the mold part is inserted and fastened in this bowl-shaped mold carrier.

[0018] It is preferably also provided that the mold parts are spaced apart in the open position from the locked position. Accordingly, by adjusting the coupling device or by transferring it from the locked position to the open position, the mold part is moved within the mold carrier. This movement can, for example, be a displacement, with a displacement in the vertical direction being preferred in such a context. In this context, a vertical direction means a direction which essentially corresponds to the container axis of the container to be produced. If the blow mold halves are designed so that they can be pivoted relative to one another, the pivot axis is also arranged along the vertical direction. Alternatively, it is possible to rotate the mold part within the mold carrier instead of pivoting, with the rotation axis also being arranged along the vertical direction here.

[0019] Regardless of the type of movement, it is possible to disconnect the media interface as a result of the movement. The media interfaces are preferably designed as media couplings, whereby the media coupling is released by moving or twisting the molded part within the mold carrier. Similarly, by moving the molded part again when moving it into the locking position, the corresponding media coupling is also closed, establishing a media connection between the temperature control units and the media source.

[0020] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the media interfaces, in particular the media couplings, are arranged at least partially, but preferably completely, on an underside of the respective molded part. Accordingly, the temperature control unit of the molded parts is also connected to the mold carrier at a lower end. Such a configuration is particularly useful when a displacement of the molded part within the mold carrier in the vertical direction is effected. All media interfaces or media couplings are then aligned along the vertical direction, so that simultaneous separation or simultaneous closing of the media interfaces can be effected by displacement. Such a configuration is to be regarded as particularly preferred, especially with regard to structural implementation.

[0021] According to a particularly preferred development of the invention, the temperature control units are at least partially designed as fluid channels arranged in the molded parts, and the media interface is designed as a fluid interface. Such a configuration has already been explained above, with temperature control being achieved using a fluid, in particular water. A media coupling in the form of a fluid coupling is then provided at the corresponding media interface, so that the fluid channels arranged in the molded parts can be connected via the fluid coupling to a fluid-carrying line and, downstream, to a fluid source.Typically, the fluid channels of the corresponding molded part each end at a fluid interface, so that according to such an embodiment, at least two fluid interfaces are arranged on a molded part, wherein a first fluid interface preferably effects a fluid inlet via a first fluid coupling and a second fluid interface preferably effects an outlet via a second fluid coupling.

[0022] Based on such a configuration, it is expedient if at least one fluid interface has a closing mechanism. In particular, at least the fluid interface has a closing mechanism which is designed as an inlet. However, it is particularly preferred that all fluid interfaces have a closing mechanism. This closing mechanism causes the media interface to be closed by releasing or separating the fluid interface. This closing mechanism is provided in particular on the mold carrier side and prevents fluid from escaping from the fluid source at the fluid interface even after the mold parts have been released. In principle, a corresponding closing mechanism can also be provided on the mold part side. However, this is not absolutely necessary.

[0023] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, this closing mechanism is triggered as soon as the fluid interface is opened. Accordingly, the closing mechanism already closes the media interface during the transfer of the molded part from the locking to the open position.

[0024] According to a supplementary or alternative embodiment, the temperature control units are at least partially configured as heating conductors arranged in the molded parts, and the media interface is configured as an electrical contact. Accordingly, heating of the molded part is achieved via an electrical resistance, so that here too, at least two electrical contacts must be established to supply and discharge the electrical current. Furthermore, additional electrical contact can also be provided if at least one molded part has a sensor, e.g., a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or even actuators, which must be electrically connected.

[0025] In principle, it is also possible to combine both types of temperature control units, so that, for example, a first temperature control unit in the form of fluid channels for cooling is provided in the area of ​​the neck ring and a second temperature control unit in the form of heating conductors for heating is provided in the lower area. A further development of the invention further provides that the coupling devices can be actuated electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically. This makes it possible to effect automated locking and release of the molded parts in the mold carriers. Of course, however, it is within the scope of the invention to provide manual actuation. In particular, the coupling devices then have an actuating lever which effects a transfer between the locked position and the open position.

[0026] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to a particular type of blow mold design. For example, only two blow mold halves, and thus two mold carriers and two mold parts, can be provided. However, it is also conceivable to provide a total of three blow mold halves. In this case, one of the blow mold halves is designed as a base mold with a base carrier and a base part, with this base mold serving in particular to design the container bottom. All of the previously mentioned designs can also be applied to the base mold.

[0027] Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary for the molded parts to be attached directly to the mold carrier. Rather, it is also possible to arrange a so-called pancake element between the mold carrier and the molded part. This pancake element is a pressure cushion that presses the molded parts together after the blow mold is closed to create sufficient closing pressure. This ensures, in particular, that no preform material gets between the molded parts at the transition between the mold carriers.

[0028] The invention further relates to a blow molding system with a rotatably driven blow molding wheel and a plurality of blow molding modules according to the invention arranged circumferentially on the blow molding wheel. The blow molding modules are typically identical in design. According to a further development of the invention, at least one media source is also provided, with the molded parts each being connected to the media source via the media interface on the mold carriers. The media source can be a fluid source and / or a power source. Of course, multiple media sources can also be provided, for example, if multiple temperature control units are implemented in one molded part.

[0029] The invention further relates to a method for inserting a blow mold into a blow module according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one molded part is inserted and fastened in an associated mold carrier and wherein at the same time at least one media interface between the mold carrier and the molded part is closed.

[0030] In addition, in order to remove a blow mold from a blow module, at least one molded part can be released in an associated mold carrier and at the same time at least one media interface between the mold carrier and the molded part can be closed, wherein the molded part is then removed.

[0031] Both processes can be performed separately. They can also be combined to form a process for changing a blow mold in a blow molding module.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the molded part is moved relative to the mold carrier during the fastening and / or detachment process. In particular, this involves a displacement or a rotation.

[0033] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. The figures show:

[0034] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of an inventive

[0035] Blowing module Fig. 2 a plan view of a molded part of the blowing module according to Fig. 1

[0036] Fig. 3 a sectional view of the blow mold in a locking position

[0037] Fig. 4 a sectional view of the blow mold in an open position

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a blow-molding module according to the invention, although only the blow mold 1 is shown, not the blow-molding device associated with the blow mold 1. The blow-molding device makes it possible to apply a blowing fluid to a plastic preform inserted into the blow mold 1 in order to press it against the blow cavity 2 of the blow mold 1.

[0039] From Fig. 1, it can be seen that the blow cavity 2 is formed from two blow mold halves 3, 4, each of which has a mold carrier 5 and a molded part 6 inserted and secured therein. The blow cavity 2 is then created by the design and contouring of the molded parts 6.

[0040] Fig. 1 also shows a pivoting mechanism 7, via which the blow mold halves 3, 4 can be pivoted relative to each other in order to open or close the blow mold 1. The pivoting mechanism has a pivot axis S, which is arranged along a vertical direction V.

[0041] Fig. 1 also shows fluid lines 8 which end on the underside of the respective mold carriers 5. Furthermore, the fluid lines 8 connect to a first media interface 9 and a second media interface 10 for each blow mold half 3, 4, the media interfaces 9, 10 being designed as fluid interfaces. A fluid can then be introduced into the molded parts 6 via the first media interface 9. This is particularly clear from Fig. 6. Accordingly, the fluid is introduced via the first media interface 9 in the sense of an inlet and flows through the molded part 6 via a fluid channel 11 before being withdrawn again via the second media interface 10. This makes it possible to heat or feel the molded part 6.

[0042] From Fig. 3 it can also be seen that the mold parts 6 are each fastened to the mold carriers 5 via a coupling device 12, wherein the coupling device 12 has a hand lever 13 which can move the coupling device between a locking position shown in Fig. 3 and an opening position shown in Fig. 4.

[0043] It can be seen that, according to Fig. 4, by transferring the hand lever 13 into the open position, the mold parts 6 are spaced apart from the mold carriers in the vertical direction V. This simultaneously opens the media interfaces 9, 10 so that consequently no fluid can be introduced into or removed from the mold parts 6.

[0044] The media interfaces 9, 10 are therefore preferably designed to be self-closing, at least on the side of the mold carriers 5, so that closing occurs when the mold parts 6 are transferred between the locking position and the opening position, while in the opposite manner, the media interfaces 9, 10 are opened when transferred into the locking position.

[0045] List of reference symbols

[0046] Blow mold 1

[0047] Blow cavity 2 Blow mold halves 3, 4

[0048] Mold carrier 5

[0049] Molded part 6

[0050] Swivel mechanism 7

[0051] Fluid line 8 first media interface 9 second media interface 10

[0052] Fluid channel 11

[0053] Coupling device 12

[0054] Hand lever 13

[0055] Swivel axis S vertical direction V

Claims

Patent claims 1. Blowing module for a blow molding system for forming plastic preforms into containers, comprising a blow mold (1) and a blowing device associated with the blow mold (1), wherein the blow mold (1) comprises at least two molded parts (6) which together form a blow cavity (2) and which can each be fastened to an associated mold carrier (5), and wherein a temperature control device is provided for heating and / or cooling the molded parts (6), characterized in that the temperature control device has temperature control units arranged in the molded parts (6) or formed in the molded parts (6), which can each be connected to the associated mold carrier (5) via at least one media interface (9, 10).

2. Blowing module according to claim 1, characterized in that the mold parts (6) are detachably attached to the mold carriers (5).

3. Blow module according to claim 2, characterized in that the mold carriers (5) each have a coupling device (12) which is designed to fasten the associated mold parts (6) in a locking position and to release them in an opening position.

4. Blowing module according to claim 3, characterized in that the coupling devices (12) are each designed to close the media interfaces (9, 10) in the locking position and to separate them in an opening position.

5. Blowing module according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the mold parts (6) are spaced apart from the locking position in the open position.

6. Blowing module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the media interfaces (9, 10) are arranged at least partially on an underside of the respective molded part (6).

7. Blowing module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature control units are at least partially designed as fluid channels (11) arranged in the mold parts (6) and the media interface (9, 10) is designed as a fluid interface.

8. Blowing module according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one fluid interface has a closing mechanism.

9. Blowing module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature control units are at least partially designed as heating conductors arranged in the molded parts (6) and the media interface (9, 10) is designed as electrical contact.

10. Blowing module according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the coupling devices (12) can be actuated electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically.

11. Blowing system with a rotatably driven blowing wheel and a plurality of blowing modules arranged circumferentially on the blowing wheel according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Blow molding system according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one media source is provided, wherein the mold parts (6) are each connected to the media source via the media interface (9, 10) on the mold carriers (5).

13. Method for inserting a blow mold (1) into a blow module according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one mold part (6) is inserted into a associated mold carrier (5) is inserted and fastened and wherein at the same time at least one media interface (9, 10) between the mold carrier (5) and the molded part (6) is closed.

14. Method for removing a blow mold (1) from a blow molding module according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one molded part (6) is released in an associated mold carrier (5) and at the same time at least one media interface (9, 10) between the mold carrier (5) and the molded part (6) is separated, and wherein the molded part (6) is subsequently removed.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein in the course of fastening and / or releasing the molded part is moved, in particular shifted or rotated, relative to the mold carrier (5).

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