Method for manufacturing a container by injection blow molding, manufacturing installation and container obtained directly by said method

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a container (10) comprising a step of injecting a plastic material configured to form a preform (250a) around a core of a series (240a) of cores, a step of blowing said preform (250a) configured to form a final container, and a step of ejecting said final container. The injection step further comprises a second step of injecting a plastic material into the injection mold (210) so as to cover the core (240a) with the corresponding series of cores, said second step comprising a step of marking the core marker (241a) on the corresponding preform (250a). Figure for the abstract: Fig 3

Description

Title of the invention: Method for manufacturing a container by injection blow molding, manufacturing installation and container obtained directly by said method

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing processes for containers, in particular cosmetic products, using an injection blow molding technique.

[0002] For the purposes of this invention, "cosmetic product" means, in particular, a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223 / 2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products.

[0003] More particularly, the invention relates to a container obtained directly by the manufacturing process.

[0004] In a conventional manner, it is known to produce plastic containers by an injection blow molding process in which a core is used around which material is injected in a first injection station to form a preform, then the preform is blown in a second blowing station.

[0005] It is not possible today to identify the defective nuclei from which the preform is manufactured at the injection station.

[0006] This generates a significant scrap rate of defective containers.

[0007] The proposal of eco-responsible, environmentally friendly solutions, whose design and development take into account environmental issues, is becoming a major concern in order to contribute to meeting planetary challenges.

[0008] It is therefore essential to design products that reduce the amount of materials used and / or replace them with more environmentally friendly materials and / or use recyclable materials in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the product.

[0009] In this context, it becomes important to limit as much as possible the rate of rejects of defective containers and to quickly identify whether it is the mold and / or the core that has a defect, in particular at the injection station.

[0010] There is therefore a need to improve the manufacturing processes of containers using the injection blow molding technique.

[0011] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the above disadvantages and to improve the manufacturing processes of containers by the injection blow molding technique by allowing to quickly identify at least the series of defective cores, and preferably the defective core of the series of cores.

[0012] The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a container comprising an injection step of a plastic material configured to create a preform around a core of a series of cores, a blowing step of said preform configured to make a final container and an ejection step of said final container.

[0013] The injection step is carried out in an injection station of a manufacturing installation comprising a mold including at least one cavity whose bottom is connected to a supply conduit for a plastic material injected under pressure to produce a preform.

[0014] The injection step includes a first step of placing a core or a series of cores in a cavity of the injection mold.

[0015] The injection step further includes a second step of injecting a plastic material into the injection mold so as to cover the core of the corresponding series of cores to produce a preform of a first series of preforms by means of the first series of cores.

[0016] Said second injection step includes a step of marking a core marker on the corresponding preform.

[0017] The injection step makes it possible to obtain a neck with a precise geometry to allow assembly with the sealing member and a core marker to quickly determine the series of cores including a possible failing core.

[0018] The kernel frames of a series of kernels are different from the kernel frames of other series of kernels.

[0019] Each series of kernels comprises, for example, a number of kernels between one and ten.

[0020] Advantageously, the process includes a step of moving and in particular rotating the series of cores in order to position the corresponding preform made in the injection step in a corresponding cavity of a blow mold.

[0021] The blowing step allows each preform to be stretched and thus the final container to be obtained.

[0022] For example, the blowing step of a preform of a first series of preforms is carried out simultaneously with the injection step of a preform of a second series of preforms by means of a second series of cores.

[0023] Advantageously, the process includes a step of moving and in particular rotating the series of cores in order to position the preform of the second series of preforms made in the injection step in the corresponding cavity of the blow mold and to position the final container obtained in the blow step in the ejection station.

[0024] For example, the ejection step is carried out simultaneously with the blowing step of a preform from a second series of preforms and with the injection step of a preform from a third series of preforms by means of a third series of cores.

[0025] Advantageously, the process includes a step of marking a position marker on the container during the injection step or the blowing step, with "i", the number of positions corresponding to the number of nuclei.

[0026] Thus, in the event of a possible failing core within a series of cores, the position of the failing core of a given series of cores can be located by crossing both the marking of the core marker indicating the series of cores during the injection step and the marking of the position marker during the injection or blowing step.

[0027] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a container manufacturing installation comprising at least one injection station, one blowing station and one ejection station, the injection station comprising a mold comprising at least one cavity whose bottom is connected to a supply conduit for a plastic material injected under pressure to produce a preform.

[0028] The blowing station includes a mold comprising at least one cavity intended to receive the preform.

[0029] The installation comprises at least three sets of at least one kernel, said sets being configured to switch successively from one station to another.

[0030] Each core in a series of cores includes at least one core marker so as to form a core marker on the corresponding preform during an injection step of the process as described above, in particular its neck, and thus on the neck of the final container.

[0031] Advantageously, the blow mold includes a position marker, with "i", the number of positions corresponding to the number of cores, for example at the bottom of each cavity, so as to form a position marker on the final container during the blowing step of the manufacturing process.

[0032] Alternatively, the position marker could be located on the inlet of each mold cavity of the blow molding station in order to form a marker on the outer surface of the neck of the final container.

[0033] Alternatively, the position marker could be located on the injection station.

[0034] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a container obtained directly by the process as described above. The container delimits an internal volume containing a product and comprising a body extending axially from an upper end forming a neck with an opening allowing access to the internal volume to a lower end, forming the bottom of the container.

[0035] The neck of the container includes at least one nucleus marker made during the injection step, with x the number of nucleus series.

[0036] For example, the core marker is formed on the rim of the final container or on a chamfer of the neck of the final container, so as to be located in the direction of demolding of the preform, along the longitudinal axis of the latter.

[0037] For example, the core marker is recessed or raised.

[0038] For example, the bottom of the container includes a position marker made during the blowing step.

[0039] For example, the neck of the container includes a position marker made during the injection step.

[0040] For example, the position marker is recessed or raised.

[0041] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0042] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a product packaging assembly comprising a container obtained by an injection blow molding manufacturing process according to the invention;

[0043] [Fig.2] is a detailed view of [Fig.1];

[0044] [Fig.3], [Fig.4], [Fig.5], [Fig.6], [Fig.7], [Fig.8] illustrate the steps implemented by the injection blow molding manufacturing process according to the invention; and

[0045] [Fig.9] represents the flowchart of the injection blow molding manufacturing process according to the invention.

[0046] In the following description, we consider an orthonormal basis X, Y, Z, with Z corresponding to an axis of elevation or extension representing the vertical direction in which we find:

[0047] - a longitudinal axis X, horizontal;

[0048] - a horizontal transverse axis Y, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X; and

[0049] - a vertical axis Z, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and transverse axis Y and extending from bottom to top on the [Fig.l].

[0050] The expressions "upper" and "lower" refer to the upper and lower parts of the figures, in the assembled position of the product packaging assembly.

[0051] The terms "inside" or "internal" and "outside" or "external" refer to the inside of the product packaging assembly, the internal or inner parts being closer to the Z-Z' elevation axis than the external or outer parts.

[0052] Figure 1 shows a first example of a packaging assembly 1 for a fluid product, in particular a cosmetic, configured to package the cosmetic product.

[0053] The term "product" means a cosmetic product, such as, for example, a liquid product, intended to be applied, for example, to the user's skin. The product may be, without limitation, a skincare serum, or any fluid product intended to be dispensed.

[0054] The fluid product packaging assembly 1 comprises a reservoir or container 10, for example in the form of a hollow body, delimiting an internal volume 12 containing a product, such as, for example, a fluid product. The reservoir 10 extends axially along an extension axis Z-Z' assumed to be vertical in the figures, from an upper end 14 forming a neck with an opening 16 providing access to the internal volume 12 to a lower end 18, forming the bottom of the reservoir. The body of the reservoir 10 can be made, for example, of rigid synthetic material.

[0055] The neck 14 is here connected to the body 12 of the container 10 by a shoulder 13.

[0056] As illustrated, the collar 14 has an outside diameter smaller than the diameter exterior of the tank body 10 and includes, on its outer surface, a thread 14a onto which is screwed a sealing element 20, such as a cap.

[0057] The sealing member 20 is configured to seal the opening 16 of the reservoir 10 and is removable from said reservoir.

[0058] Alternatively, the sealing member 20 could be mounted on the container 10 by means other than screwing, such as by snap-fitting.

[0059] The obturator 20 is known in itself and will not be described further.

[0060] The container 10 is produced by an injection then blow molding process 100 described with reference to [Fig.9] implemented by the manufacturing installation 200 described with reference to Figures 3 to 8.

[0061] The manufacturing installation 200 includes at least one injection station 210, one blowing station 220 and one ejection station 230.

[0062] The injection station 210 includes a mold 211 comprising a plurality of cavities 212, here six in number, the bottom of which is connected to a conduit 213 for supplying a plastic material injected at high temperature and under pressure to produce a first series of preforms 250a.

[0063] The number of imprints 212 corresponds to the number of nuclei. It is, for example, between one and ten.

[0064] The injection step is carried out under standard conditions known to a person skilled in the art.

[0065] The blowing station 220 includes a mold 221 comprising a plurality of cavities 222 each intended to receive a preform 250a from the first series of preforms.

[0066] The mold 221 of the blowing station 220 includes a position marker 223_i, here at the bottom of each cavity 222, so as to form a marker on the bottom 18 of the final container 10 during the blowing step 120. The number "i" is equal to the number of cavities 212 of the mold 211 of the injection station 210.

[0067] As illustrated, the first imprint 222 includes a first position marker 223_1, the second imprint 222 includes a second position marker 223_2, the third imprint 222 includes a third position marker 223_3, the fourth imprint 222 includes a fourth position marker 223_4, the fifth imprint 222 includes a fifth position marker 223_5 and the sixth imprint 222 includes a sixth position marker 223_6.

[0068] Alternatively, the position marker 223_i could be located on the inlet 224 of each cavity 222 of the mold 221 of the blowing station 220 in order to form a marker on the outer surface of the neck 14 of the final container 10.

[0069] The position marker 223_i can be recessed or raised.

[0070] Each preform of the first series of preforms 250a is blown between 5 and 40 bars against the wall 222 and will imprint the corresponding position mark 223_i.

[0071] It could also be provided that the position marker 223_i is located on the mold 212 of the injection station 210 and is found on the preform during the injection step.

[0072] The ejection station 230 allows the final containers 10 to be ejected.

[0073] The installation here comprises three series 240a, 240b, 240c of a plurality of cores, here six in number. The series of cores are configured to switch successively from one station to the other.

[0074] Each core in a series of cores includes a core marker 241a, 241b, 241c, here on one end of each core 240a, 240b, 240c, so as to form a core marker 241 on the neck 14 of the corresponding preform 250a, 250b, 250c and thus of the final container 10 during the injection step 110.

[0075] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the core marker 241 is formed on the rim 16 of the final container 10 or on the chamfer 16a of the neck 14 of the final container 10, so as to be located in the direction of demolding of the preform, in other words of the movement of the core away from the preform, along the longitudinal axis of the latter.

[0076] In all cases, the core mark 241 is in the direction of demolding.

[0077] The core marker 241 can be recessed or raised.

[0078] The kernel marker 241 can, for example, take the form of a digit, such as the the number "1" for the first series of 240a nuclei, the number "2" for the second series of 240b nuclei and the number "3" for the third series of 240c nuclei, a a letter, such as the letter "A" for the first series of 240a nuclei, the letter "B" for the second series of 240b nuclei and the letter "C" for the third series of 240c nuclei, or a symbol, such as the symbol "I" or a dot "." for the first series of 240a nuclei, the symbol "II" or two dots ".." for the second series of 240b nuclei and the symbol "III" or three dots "..." for the third series of 240c nuclei.

[0079] The manufacturing process 100 illustrated in [Fig.9] will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 8.

[0080] The manufacturing process 100 includes an injection step 110, a blowing step 120 and an ejection step 130.

[0081] The injection step 110 is carried out in the injection station 210 and includes a first step 111 of placing a core 240a of a series of cores in a cavity 212 of the injection mold 210, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0082] The injection step 110 further includes a second step 112 of injecting a plastic material into the injection mold 210 so as to cover the core 240a with the corresponding series of cores, as illustrated in [Fig.4] and form a preform 250a.

[0083] The process 100 includes a step 112a of marking the core marker 241 on the corresponding preform 250 during the second injection step 112.

[0084] The process 100 then includes a step 113 of displacement, here in rotation, of the series of cores in order to position each preform 250a of the first series of preform made by means of the first series of cores 240a at the injection step 110 in the corresponding cavity 222 of the blow mold 220, as seen in [Fig.5].

[0085] Next, the process 100 includes a blowing step 120 in which pressurized air is injected into each preform 250a of the first series of preforms made using the first series of cores 240a, in order to stretch the preform 250a against the corresponding cavity 222 of the blow mold 221 and to obtain the final container 10.

[0086] The injection step 110 makes it possible to obtain a neck 14 with a precise geometry to allow assembly with the obturator member 20.

[0087] The blowing step 120 allows the preform to be stretched and thus the final container 10 to be obtained.

[0088] The blowing step 120 of a preform 250a of a first series of preforms can be carried out simultaneously with the injection step 110 of a preform 250b of a second series of preforms by means of a second series of cores 240b, as seen in [Fig.6].

[0089] The process 100 then includes a step 114 of displacement, here in rotation, of the series of cores in order to position each preform 250b of the second series of preforms made by means of the second series of cores 240b at the injection step 110 in the corresponding cavity 222 of the blow mold 220 and to position the final container 10 obtained at the blow step 120 in the ejection station 130, as seen in [Fig.8].

[0090] The process 100 then includes a step 130 of ejection of the final container 10, as seen in [Fig.9].

[0091] The ejection step 130 can be carried out simultaneously with the blowing step 120 of a preform 250b of a second series of preforms by means of the second series of cores 240b and with the injection step 110 of a preform 250c of a third series of preforms by means of a third series of cores 240c.

[0092] In the illustrated example, the installation comprises three 240x series of kernels, with x the number of kernel series, here equal to a, b or c.

[0093] In no way limitingly, each series 240x of nuclei here comprises six nuclei.

[0094] After the injection step 112, six preforms are obtained from a series of preforms 250_x bearing a nucleus marker 241x.

[0095] The blowing station 220 includes a number of position markers 223_i equal to the number of nuclei in each series of nuclei.

[0096] At the end of process 100, when a possible defective core is detected, it is possible to know to which series of cores 240x it belongs, and at which position i of the blow mold 220 it is located.

[0097] According to a first example, when a kernel bearing the kernel mark 240a and the position mark 223_5 is faulty, the user knows that this kernel comes from the first series of kernel 240a and is located in the fifth position.

[0098] According to a first example, when a kernel bearing the kernel mark 240c and the position mark 223_1 is faulty, the user knows that this kernel comes from the third series of kernel 240c and is located in the first position.

[0099] Thus, by crossing the reference 241x of the cores of the series of cores with the reference 223_i of the position of the blow mold, it is possible to identify which core of which series of cores is faulty, in the event of identification of a sealing defect.

[0100] When the blow mold does not have a position mark, it is possible to identify at least which series of cores a possible defective core comes from when a defect, in particular a sealing defect, is detected on a final container.

Claims

Demands

1. A method (100) for manufacturing a container (10) comprising a step (110) of injecting a plastic material configured to form a preform (250a, 250b, 250c) around a core of a series (240a, 240b, 240c) of cores, a step of blowing said preform (250a, 250b, 250c) configured to form a final container (10), and a step of ejecting said final container (10), the injection step (110) being carried out in an injection station (210) of a manufacturing installation (200) comprising a mold (211) having at least one cavity (212) the bottom of which is connected to a conduit (213) for supplying a plastic material injected under pressure to form a preform (250a, 250b, 250c), the injection step (110) comprising a first step (111) of placing a core (240a, 240b, 240c) of a series of cores in a cavity (212) of the injection mold (210),characterized in that the injection step (110) further comprises a second step (112) of injecting a plastic material into the injection mold (210) so as to cover the core (240a, 240b, 240c) of the corresponding series of cores, said second step (112) comprising a step (112a) of marking a core marker (241) on the corresponding preform (250a, 250b, 250c).

2. Method (100) according to claim 1, comprising a step (113) of moving the series of cores in order to position the preform (250a, 250b, 250c) made in step (112) in a corresponding cavity (222) of a blow mold (220).

3. Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blowing step (120) of a preform (250a) of a first series of preforms is carried out simultaneously with the injection step (110) of a preform (250b) of a second series of preforms by means of a second series of cores (240b).

4. A method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step (114) of moving the series of cores in order to position the preform (250b) of the second series of preforms produced in the injection step (110) in the corresponding cavity (222) of the blow mold (220) and to position the final container (10) obtained in the blow step (120) in the ejection station (130).

5. Method (100) according to claim 4, wherein the ejection step (130) is carried out simultaneously with the blowing step (120) of a preform (250b) of the second series of preforms and with the injection step (110) of a preform (250c) of a third series of preforms by means of a third series of cores (240c).

6. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of marking a position marker (223_i) on the container (10) during the injection step (110) or the blowing step (120), with "i" being the number of positions corresponding to the number of nuclei.

7. A container (10) manufacturing installation (200) comprising at least one injection station (210), one blow molding station (220), and one ejection station (230), the injection station (210) comprising a mold (211) comprising at least one cavity (212) the bottom of which is connected to a conduit (213) for supplying a plastic material injected under pressure to produce a preform (250a, 250b, 250c), the blow molding station (220) comprising a mold (212) comprising at least one cavity (222) for receiving the preform (250a, 250b, 250c), the installation (200) comprising at least three sets (240a, 240b, 240c) of at least one core, said sets being configured to pass successively from one station to the other, characterized in that each nucleus of a series of nuclei (240a, 240b, 240c) comprises at least one nucleus frame (241a, 241b, 241c) so as to form a nucleus frame (241) on the preform (250a, 250b,250c) corresponding during an injection step (110) of the process (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. Installation (200) according to claim 7, wherein the mold (212) of the blowing station (220) includes a position marker (223_i), with "i", the number of positions corresponding to the number of cores, so as to form a marker on the final container (10) during the blowing step (120) of the manufacturing process (100).

9. Container (10) obtained directly by the process (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, delimiting an internal volume (12) containing a product and comprising a body extending axially from an upper end (14) forming a neck having an opening (16) allowing access to the internal volume (12) to a lower end (18), forming the bottom of the container, the neck (14) of the container (10) comprising at least one core marker (24 Ix)

10.

11.

12.

13.

14. carried out during the injection step (110), with x the number of nuclei series. Container (10) according to claim 9, in which the core marker (24 Ix) is formed on the rim (16) of the final container (10) or on a chamfer (16a) of the neck (14) of the final container (10). Container (10) according to claim 9 or 10, in which the core marker (24Ix) is recessed or raised. Container (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the bottom (18) of the container (10) includes a position marker (223_i) made during the blowing step (120). Container (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the neck (14) of the container (10) includes a position marker (223_i) made during the injection step (110). Container (10) according to claim 12 or 13, in which the position marker (223_i) is recessed or raised.