Method for controlling the opening of the flap of an overpressure chamber

Abstract

The present invention A first protective chamber (14) including at least one blow molding unit (16), Adjacent to the first chamber (14) via a shared partition (22) is a second containment chamber (18) containing a filling unit (20), An opening (24) formed in the shared partition wall (22) for transporting the container (12), A shutter flap (26) for the opening (24), Means (38) for maintaining overpressure in the second chamber (18), wherein the overpressure has an operating value (P1) greater than the sterilization maintenance threshold (P2), A control method for equipment (10) for producing containers (12), comprising: The present invention relates to a control method characterized in that the opening speed (V) of the shutter flap (26) is adjusted so that the overpressure is maintained between the operating value (P1) and the sterilization maintenance threshold (P2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is a method for controlling the opening of at least one shutter flap in equipment for the production of containers, particularly bottles, the equipment comprising a first protection chamber inside which at least one container blow molding unit is arranged, a second accommodation chamber adjacent to the first chamber via a shared partition defining a sterilization zone inside which at least one unit for filling the produced containers is arranged, at least one opening formed in the shared partition and intended to allow the transfer of the containers from the blow molding unit to the filling unit, a shutter flap for the opening, which is controlled between an open position and a fully closed position, means for maintaining an overpressure in the second chamber with respect to the pressure in the first chamber, the overpressure having an operating value greater than a predetermined sterilization maintenance threshold in the production mode of the equipment, and at least comprising the above, and relates to a method.

Background Art

[0002] International Publication No. 2010 / 081759 describes and shows an example of such equipment for the production of containers, particularly bottles.

[0003] This production equipment is used for the production of plastic containers, particularly containers made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0004] Containers are generally produced by continuously thermally conditioning a plastic preform in an oven and then converting the preform into a bottle in a blow molding unit, the molding being carried out, for example, by blow molding or stretch blow molding in a mold, and finally transferring the obtained containers to a filling and capping unit.

[0005] Therefore, the equipment preferably includes a production unit upstream of the filling unit, which comprises a heat-regulating oven and a blow molding unit.

[0006] Generally, filling units and blow molding units are compact and are placed side-by-side to obtain production equipment that carries out the entire process of container production until the finished product is obtained.

[0007] As described in International Publication No. 2010 / 081759, the purpose of such production equipment is to reduce the risk of container contamination by all means, and these containers are more likely to be filled with products that are more or less susceptible to such risks.

[0008] Therefore, it has become a known practice to implement various measures with the sole purpose of controlling and managing the microbiological quality of the production environment, particularly eliminating pathogens such as pathogenic bacteria, spores, and other microorganisms that are likely to affect products contained in containers and may render them unsuitable for consumption.

[0009] For this purpose, these measures aim not only to sterilize the containers themselves, but also to sterilize the preforms from which the containers are produced, and generally to sterilize the equipment itself.

[0010] The prior art documents International Publication No. 2006 / 136498, International Publication No. 2008 / 049876, and the specification of French Patent Application Publication No. 2915127 constitute non-limiting examples illustrating such measures, and for further details, refer to each of these documents, which is also advantageously cited in the preamble of the document International Publication No. 2010 / 081759.

[0011] Naturally, examples of these various measures could be implemented simultaneously in the same facility to significantly reduce the risk of contamination.

[0012] In the production process, container filling operations are generally perceived as the highest-risk in terms of contamination risk.

[0013] However, the containers introduced into the filling unit are only one of the main vectors of contamination.

[0014] Specifically, if pathogens are present in the environment directly surrounding the container, they are particularly likely to contaminate the container's internal volume, from the air to the components of the equipment's units.

[0015] For these reasons, in addition to sterilization or aseptic treatment that directly targets the product to be placed in the container and the container itself, the filling unit is also subjected to chemical sterilization operations, particularly by spraying a sterilizing solution such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), or peracetic acid (PAA).

[0016] The sterilization operation of the filling unit is performed during an operating mode called the sterilization mode of the equipment, which precedes and / or follows the operation of an operating mode called the production mode of the equipment in which the containers are produced.

[0017] In order to implement the filling unit sterilization mode, the filling unit must be isolated from the rest of the equipment, especially from adjacent blow molding units.

[0018] Specifically, the components of the filling unit are made of materials that can withstand the chemical attack by the aforementioned sterilization solutions used for sterilization, such as 316L stainless steel, but this does not apply to the blow molding unit or the adjacent transfer devices that are typically interposed between these units.

[0019] Therefore, the sterilization solutions used for sterilization can cause undesirable chemical attacks, particularly corrosion of components of blow molding units such as molds, and components of transfer equipment.

[0020] To reduce the risk of contamination, the blow molding unit and the filling unit are each sealed within their respective chambers. The two chambers are adjacent to each other via a shared partition with an opening that allows the container to pass from the blow molding unit to the filling unit along a specific path.

[0021] To allow the filling unit to be isolated from the blow molding unit, the opening may be closed by a door. The opening and closing of this door is generally controlled by a pneumatic cylinder.

[0022] Furthermore, to prevent potentially contaminated air present in the blow molding unit chamber from entering the filling unit chamber, an operating overpressure is maintained in the filling unit chamber during production mode in the equipment. For this purpose, compressed air is supplied to the chamber, and the air is filtered and sterilized before being introduced into the chamber.

[0023] This operating overpressure is, for example, around 25 Pa. In all cases, this overpressure is higher than the sterilization maintenance threshold, and if it falls below this threshold, sterilization of the filling chamber can no longer be guaranteed, and air present in the blow molding unit chamber may enter the filling unit chamber, for example. This sterilization maintenance threshold is, for example, around 18 Pa.

[0024] Furthermore, it is also a known practice to equip the filling unit chamber with means for generating a top-down laminar airflow to guide any contaminants toward the floor below the container's path.

[0025] It was found that when the door is opened after the sterilization procedure, a temporary reequilibrium of pressure between the two chambers results in a very significant decrease in the overpressure in the filling unit chamber near the opening. Subsequently, the air present in the filling unit chamber is drawn into the blow molding unit chamber. However, the reduction of the overpressure below the sterilization maintenance threshold does not guarantee that the air present in the filling unit chamber will remain sterile.

[0026] In order to prevent this decrease in overpressure in the filling chamber when the door is opened, during the sterilization operation, means for maintaining the overpressure are controlled so as to generate a temporary overpressure much higher than the operating overpressure immediately before the door is opened. Therefore, even if the pressure in the filling unit chamber decreases, it is maintained in a state of overpressure exceeding the sterilization maintenance threshold compared to the blow molding unit chamber. This temporary overpressure is, for example, on the order of 80 Pa.

[0027] However, this temporary increase in overpressure results in additional energy costs.

[0028] Furthermore, it is necessary to have means for maintaining an overpressure large enough to obtain such an overpressure.

[0029] Furthermore, opening the door further disturbs the laminar air flow and generates a turbulent flow that can raise contaminants present in the filling unit again.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0030]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

[0031] The present invention is A method for controlling the opening of at least one shutter flap in equipment for the production of containers, particularly bottles, the equipment being A first protective chamber in which at least one container blow molding unit is located, A second containment chamber adjacent to the first chamber via a shared partition defining a sterilization zone in which at least one unit for filling the produced containers is located, The shared partition includes at least one opening intended to allow the transfer of containers from the blow molding unit to the filling unit, A shutter flap for the opening, which is controlled between an open position and a fully closed position, A means for maintaining an overpressure in a second chamber relative to the pressure in a first chamber, wherein the overpressure has an operating value greater than a predetermined sterilization maintenance threshold in the production mode of the equipment. It has at least the following features: We propose a method characterized in that, once the shutter flap begins to open, the overpressure is substantially maintained at its operating value, and the speed of the shutter flap is adjusted so that the overpressure in the second chamber is always maintained between the operating value and the sterilization maintenance threshold.

[0032] According to another feature of the method carried out in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the opening speed of the shutter flap is controlled in the open loop according to a predetermined control law.

[0033] According to another feature of the method carried out in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the opening speed of the shutter flap is substantially constant throughout its entire opening.

[0034] According to another feature of the method carried out in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the opening speed of the shutter flap increases during opening from an initial opening speed to a final opening speed.

[0035] According to another feature of the method carried out in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the opening speed of the shutter flap is controlled based on the overpressure measured inside a second chamber near the opening.

[0036] According to another feature of the method implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the means for maintaining overpressure is controlled to re-establish an overpressure greater than an intermediate value between the sterilization maintenance threshold and the operating value.

[0037] According to another feature of the method carried out in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the second chamber comprises means for establishing a laminar airflow directed at least vertically in the vicinity of the opening.

[0038] According to another feature of the method carried out in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the shutter flap is mounted to slide within the opening.

[0039] The present invention also, A first protective chamber in which at least one container blow molding unit is located, A second containment chamber adjacent to the first chamber via a shared partition defining a sterilization zone in which at least one unit for filling the produced containers is located, The shared partition includes at least one opening intended to allow the transfer of containers from the blow molding unit to the filling unit, A shutter flap for the opening, which is controlled between an open position and a fully closed position, Means for maintaining overpressure in a second chamber, wherein the overpressure has an operating value greater than a predetermined sterilization maintenance threshold in the production mode of the equipment, Equipment for producing containers, particularly bottles, for carrying out the teaching method of the present invention, comprising at least the following: We propose an apparatus characterized in that the movement of the shutter flap between the open position and the fully closed position is controlled by an actuator having an electric motor powered via a regulator such as a variator or analog board.

[0040] According to another feature of the equipment produced in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an atmospheric pressure sensor is located in a second chamber near the opening.

[0041] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, and the following accompanying drawings are to be referenced for their understanding. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0042] [Figure 1] This is a schematic top view showing an apparatus produced according to the teachings of the present invention, comprising a blow molding unit contained in a first chamber and a filling unit contained in a second adjacent chamber. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view with a portion of the wall of the second chamber cut out, showing the interior of the second chamber and the container transfer opening with a flap in the open position. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the dividing partition wall between the two chambers and passing through the opening. The solid line shows the shutter flap in the open position, and the dashed line shows the shutter flap in the fully closed position. [Figure 4] This figure shows the change in the shutter flap opening speed as a function of time in the control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure is similar to Figure 4 and shows the change in the shutter flap opening speed as a function of time in a control method according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure is similar to Figure 4, and shows the change in the shutter flap opening speed as a function of time in the control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention with a solid line, and the change in pressure as a function of time in the second chamber near the opening with a dashed line. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0043] In the remainder of the description, similar or identical elements are indicated by the same reference numeral.

[0044] In the description, expressions such as “upstream” and “downstream,” “upwards” and “downwards,” “inside” and “outside,” “front” and “back,” as well as longitudinal, vertical and transverse directions, are used without any implied limitation, referring to the trihedron (L, V, T) shown in the figure and / or the definitions given in the description.

[0045] Figure 1 shows an example of an embodiment of the container 12 and the equipment 10 for the production of bottles, although this is not particularly limited.

[0046] As partially shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 10 includes at least a first protective chamber 14 that defines a first zone Z1 in which at least one unit 16 for blow molding the container 12 is located.

[0047] Preferably, the blow molding unit 16 can produce the container 12 by blow molding or stretch blow molding from a preform (not shown) that has been preheated in an oven (not shown), particularly by heating it using an infrared radiation lamp.

[0048] The blow molding unit 16 includes a carousel 17 with molds 19 arranged circumferentially at its radial outer edge, and the preform heated in the mold is converted into a container 12 by blow molding or stretch blow molding, depending on the application.

[0049] The equipment 10 includes a second containment chamber 18 that defines a second sterilization zone Z2, and inside it is arranged at least one unit 20 for filling containers 12 produced by the blow molding unit 16.

[0050] The second containment chamber 18 is adjacent to the first adjacent chamber 14 via a shared partition wall 22.

[0051] Each of the chambers 14 and 18 consists of a pair of vertical walls, which are closed at the top and bottom, respectively, by walls and a floor that form, for example, a ceiling 21.

[0052] Preferably, at least one of the vertical walls of chambers 14 and 18 is provided with at least one door (not shown) in particular to allow an operator to pass through these vertical walls and to provide access to the interior of the facility 10.

[0053] The apparatus 10 includes at least one opening 24 made in the partition wall 22 shared by the first chamber 14 and the second chamber 18. The opening 24 shown in Figure 2 is intended to allow the transfer of the container 12 from the blow molding unit 16 to the filling unit 20.

[0054] Advantageously, the equipment 10 includes at least one shutter flap 26 for the opening 24 that can move between at least an open position and a fully closed position.

[0055] In this case, the equipment 10 is equipped with a single shutter flap 26.

[0056] Alternatively, the equipment 10 includes at least two shutter flaps that interact to close the opening.

[0057] The open position corresponds to the position in which the shutter flap 26 allows the transport of the container 12 through the opening 24, as shown in Figure 2. This open position is taken when the equipment 10 is in an operating mode called production mode.

[0058] The fully closed position corresponds to the position where the shutter flap 26 completely closes the opening 24, isolating the second chamber 18 from the first chamber 14.

[0059] The fully closed position is intended to allow the sterilization operation of the filling unit 20 to be performed at least within the second chamber 18, in particular when the equipment 10 is in another operating mode called sterilization mode.

[0060] Advantageously, in the fully closed position, the shutter flap 26 hermetically seals the opening 24 and isolates the second chamber 18, which contains the filling unit 20, from the first chamber 14, which contains the unit 16 for blow molding the container 12.

[0061] In this case, the shutter flap 26 is mounted to slide between the open position and the fully closed position by two rails 27. In this case, the shutter flap 26 is mounted to slide vertically. In this case, the shutter flap 26 opens by sliding upward.

[0062] In a modified version of the present invention not shown, the shutter flap 26 can be opened by sliding downward.

[0063] According to another modification of the present invention, not shown, the shutter flap 26 is mounted to slide horizontally.

[0064] The rails 27 for the flap 26 are firmly fixed to the shared bulkhead 22 and are positioned on either side of the opening 24, which has a roughly rectangular shape and is shown in more detail in Figure 2.

[0065] Preferably, the equipment 10 includes an actuation means 28 intended to control the movement of the shutter flap 26 between an open position corresponding to the production mode and a fully closed position corresponding to the sterilization mode.

[0066] These are actuators capable of controlling speed. In this case, the actuator is formed by an actuator 28 having an electric motor. In this case, the electric motor is powered via a regulator 31, such as a variator or analog board, so that the speed of the actuator 28 can be varied.

[0067] The regulator 31 itself is controlled by the electronic control unit 33.

[0068] The sterilization of the filling unit 20 is performed chemically by spraying a sterilization solution, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), into the second chamber 18.

[0069] The spraying of such a sterilization solution to sterilize the second chamber 18 is particularly made possible by the use of stainless steel or other suitable materials for producing parts such as components of the filling unit 20.

[0070] Equipment 10 includes a transfer device 29 for transferring the container 12 between the blow molding unit 16 and the filling unit 20.

[0071] The transfer device 29 is adjacent to an opening 24 provided in the shared partition wall 22 and includes at least one transfer wheel 30 intended to transfer the container 12 through the opening 24 in production mode.

[0072] Preferably, the transfer device 29 includes, in addition to the transfer wheel 30, two other transfer wheels 32 and 34 positioned upstream and downstream of the wheel 30, respectively.

[0073] The various wheels 30, 32, and 34 of the transfer device 29 are arranged relative to each other such that each has an arc-shaped portion that touches the portion of the adjacent wheel, in order to define a zone in which the container 12 is transferred from one to the other.

[0074] The first transfer wheel 32 is positioned between the inlet of the transfer wheel 30 and the outlet zone of the carousel 17 of the blow molding unit 16, where the mold is commanded to open to allow the removal of the container 12 produced using the associated blow molding or stretch blow molding means.

[0075] The first transfer wheel 32 is intended to remove the container 12 produced by the mold and transfer the container downstream by a transfer arm equipped with a gripping means such as a clamp at its free end.

[0076] A second transfer wheel 34 is positioned downstream between the outlet of the transfer wheel 30 and another carousel 35 that forms part of the filling unit 20, and the container filling stations 12 are regularly distributed circumferentially around the carousel.

[0077] Advantageously, the equipment 10 is designed to reduce or eliminate various risks of contamination.

[0078] The transport wheel 30 includes at least one portion that is mounted to move between at least a first transport position and a second retracted position.

[0079] The first transfer position is taken when the equipment 10 is in production mode, and the second retracted position is taken when the equipment 10 is in sterilization mode.

[0080] The transfer wheel 30 extends partially through the opening 24 and includes at least a holding means 36 that interacts with the container 12 in production mode to transfer the container.

[0081] The retaining means 36 includes, for example, a recess intended to interact with a part of the container.

[0082] The transport wheel 30 is at least, To ensure the transfer of the container 12 during the operation of the equipment 10 in production mode, the retaining means 36 of the wheel 30 extends through the opening 24 to a first transfer position, For the purpose of operating the equipment 10 in sterilization mode, the wheel 30 is moved to at least a second retracted position so that the opening 24 can be closed by the associated shutter flap 26 and It is mounted to move between the two points.

[0083] Advantageously, the transport wheel 30 is automatically moved by an actuator (not shown).

[0084] Preferably, the transport wheels 30 of the equipment 10 are of a design similar to those described in International Publication No. 2010 / 081759 in this first embodiment.

[0085] As described in the preamble, the object of the present invention is to reduce microbiological risks within the container production facility 10 by counteracting various risks of contamination of containers by pathogens, in order to further improve the food safety of the containers.

[0086] For this purpose, the apparatus 10 includes means 38 for maintaining overpressure by blowing filtered air "A1" into the second chamber 18 to establish an overpressure relative to the pressure in the first chamber 14.

[0087] Such means 38 for maintaining overpressure are well known and will not be described in further detail below. For example, such means consist of a ventilation device equipped with a filter that can obtain air suitable for a sterilization chamber.

[0088] In the remainder of this specification and in the claims, overpressure is defined as the difference between the pressure present in the second chamber 18 and the pressure present in the first chamber 14. The value of overpressure is always positive to prevent contaminated air from entering the second chamber 18. Thus, this overpressure makes it possible to limit the risk of contamination.

[0089] When the shutter flap 26 is in its open position, the overpressure has an operating value "P1" that is greater than a predetermined sterilization maintenance threshold "P2" when the equipment 10 is operating in production mode.

[0090] As a non-limiting example, the operating value "P1" is approximately 25 Pa, and the sterility maintenance threshold "P2" is approximately 18 Pa. Preferably, to avoid energy waste, the difference between the operating value "P1" and the sterility maintenance threshold "P2" is less than 10 Pa in this case.

[0091] Furthermore, in order to obtain optimal sterilization of the second chamber 18 in production mode, means 40 are also provided for establishing a laminar airflow "A2" directed vertically at least near the opening 24.

[0092] In this case, the means 40 comprises a filtered air ventilation device 42 that supplies filtered air to the nozzle 44 via a suitable pipe.

[0093] In this case, the laminar airflow "A2" is directed from top to bottom to carry any contaminants toward the floor. For this purpose, nozzles 44 are positioned on the ceiling 21 to direct the laminar airflow "A2" vertically downward.

[0094] To prevent the generation of turbulence when the laminar airflow "A2" reaches the floor, an air extraction device 46 is provided that draws in air through an orifice located in the floor of the second chamber 18.

[0095] During the sterilization operation of the filling unit 20, the equipment 10 switches from production mode to sterilization mode by retracting the transfer wheels 30 and completely closing the shutter flaps 26.

[0096] At the end of this sterilization operation, the shutter flap 26 must be opened again. To ensure that the inside of the newly sterilized second chamber 18 is not exposed to contaminants, this includes, on the one hand, preventing the overpressure inside the second chamber 18 from falling below the sterilization maintenance threshold "P2", and on the other hand, preventing the laminar airflow "A2" from becoming turbulent and thereby stirring up residual contaminants carried toward the bottom of the second chamber 18.

[0097] The present invention proposes that once the shutter flap 26 begins to open, the overpressure is maintained at its operating value "P1", in this case 25 Pa. To avoid air intake when the shutter flap 26 is open, the opening speed at which the shutter flap moves from its fully closed position to its open position is adjusted so that the overpressure in the second sterilization zone is always maintained above the sterilization maintenance threshold "P2" without the overpressure in the second sterilization zone becoming significantly higher than the operating value "P1".

[0098] Preventing excessive pressure fluctuations in the second chamber 18 is advantageous in avoiding turbulence in the laminar airflow "A2".

[0099] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the opening speed of the shutter flap 26 is controlled in the open loop according to a predetermined control law. This control law is recorded or parameterized, for example, in an electronic control unit. This control law is determined, for example, by testing or estimating the overpressure inside the second chamber 18 near the opening 24, either by trial during the assembly of the equipment 10 or by simulation.

[0100] The opening speed "V" of the shutter flap 26 is substantially constant throughout its entire opening, as shown in the graph in Figure 4, for example. In this graph, the shutter flap 26 begins to open at time "t1" corresponding to the fully closed position and ends at time "t2" corresponding to the open position. Apart from the start and end gradients corresponding to the intrinsic transition accelerations of the actuator 28 at the start and end of opening, the sliding speed "V0" of the shutter flap 26 is constant throughout its entire opening. The opening speed "V0" is, for example, 10 mm / second.

[0101] This release speed "V0" is determined, for example, by trials during the assembly of equipment 10, or by simulation.

[0102] As a modification of this first embodiment shown in Figure 5, the opening speed "V" of the flap 26 changes very significantly during its opening.

[0103] For example, the door opening speed increases during opening, from the initial opening speed "V1min" to the final opening speed "V1max".

[0104] The initial speed "V1min" is, for example, around a few millimeters / second, and the final speed "V1max" is much faster than 10 mm / second. This is, for example, the maximum speed that can be safely achieved by actuator 28.

[0105] In the illustrated example, the velocity "V1max" flattens out at the end of flap 26's opening.

[0106] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the opening speed "V" of the shutter flap 26 is controlled based on an overpressure "P" measured inside a second chamber 18 near the opening 24. For this purpose, an atmospheric pressure sensor 48 is located inside the second chamber 18 near the opening 24. In a non-limiting example, the pressure sensor 48 is located in this case against a shared partition wall 22 below the opening 24.

[0107] The pressure sensor 48 communicates pressure measurements to the electronic control unit 33, allowing the electronic control unit 33 to adjust the opening speed "V" as a function of these pressure measurements.

[0108] The electronic control unit 33 calculates the overpressure "P" by subtracting the pressure present in the first chamber 14 from the measurement value of the pressure sensor 48, and this pressure is, for example, measured, estimated, or predetermined.

[0109] According to one embodiment of this second embodiment shown in Figure 6, as the shutter flap 26 begins to open, the opening speed "V" gradually increases. When a decrease in overpressure "P" is detected near the opening 24, for example, if the measured overpressure "P" is lower than the deceleration value "P3" between the sterilization maintenance threshold "P2" and the operating value "P1" (as shown by the dashed line in Figure 6), the opening speed "V" (shown by the solid line in Figure 6) is reduced by the electronic control unit 33 until the overpressure "P" begins to increase again. When the overpressure "P" increases again beyond the acceleration overpressure "P4" between the deceleration overpressure "P3" and the operating value "P1", the opening speed "V" increases again.

[0110] Therefore, while open, the speed "V" can vary between zero and the maximum speed that can be safely obtained by the actuator 28.

[0111] Therefore, this second embodiment allows for a reduction in the opening time compared to the first embodiment by taking into account the overpressure "P" measured in the second chamber 18.

[0112] By combining the adjustment of the shutter flap 26 opening speed "V" with the control of the means 38 for maintaining overpressure, the opening time can be further reduced. Specifically, if the measured overpressure is lower than the deceleration overpressure "P3", the means 38 is controlled to re-establish an overpressure approaching the operating value "P1" by temporarily increasing the pressure of the air being blown in. As a result, the overpressure returns to the acceleration overpressure value "P4" more quickly, and the opening time of the flap 26 is reduced.

[0113] The present invention makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption of the equipment 10 by not placing an excessive burden on the means 38 for maintaining overpressure.

[0114] Furthermore, the present invention can therefore ensure that the overpressure in the second chamber 18 is maintained above the sterilization maintenance threshold "P2" without disturbing the laminar airflow "A2".

Claims

1. A method for controlling the opening of at least one shutter flap (26) in equipment (10) for the production of containers (12), particularly bottles, wherein the equipment (10) A first protective chamber (14) in which at least one container blow molding unit (16) is arranged, A second containment chamber (18) adjacent to the first chamber (14) is located via a shared partition (22) that defines a sterilization zone (Z2) in which at least one unit (20) for filling the produced containers (12) is located, The shared partition (22) has at least one opening (24) formed therein, which is intended to allow the transfer of the container (12) from the blow molding unit (16) to the filling unit (20), A shutter flap (26) for the opening (24) is controlled between an open position and a fully closed position, Means (38) for maintaining an overpressure in the second chamber (18) relative to the pressure in the first chamber (14), wherein the overpressure has an operating value (P1) greater than a predetermined sterilization maintenance threshold (P2) in the production mode of the equipment (10), It has at least the following features: A method characterized in that, when the shutter flap (26) begins to open, the overpressure is substantially maintained at its operating value (P1), and the opening speed (V) of the shutter flap (26) is adjusted so that the overpressure in the second chamber (18) is always maintained between the operating value (P1) and the sterilization maintenance threshold (P2).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening speed (V) of the shutter flap (26) is controlled in an open loop according to a predetermined control rule.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the opening speed (V) of the shutter flap (26) is substantially constant throughout its entire opening.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the opening speed (V) of the shutter flap (26) increases from the initial opening speed (V1min) to the final opening speed (V1max) during opening.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening speed (V) of the shutter flap (26) is controlled based on an overpressure (P) measured inside a second chamber (18) near the opening (24).

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that means (38) for maintaining overpressure (P) are controlled to re-establish an overpressure greater than an intermediate value (P4) between a sterilization maintenance threshold (P2) and an operating value (P1).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second chamber (18) comprises means (40) for establishing a laminar airflow (A2) directed at least in the vicinity of the opening (24).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the shutter flap (26) is mounted so as to slide within the opening (24).

9. Equipment (10) for producing containers, particularly bottles, for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, A first protective chamber (14) in which at least one container blow molding unit (16) is arranged, A second containment chamber (18) adjacent to the first chamber (14) is located via a shared partition (22) that defines a sterilization zone (Z2) in which at least one unit (20) for filling the produced containers (12) is located, The shared partition (22) has at least one opening (24) formed therein, which is intended to allow the transfer of the container (12) from the blow molding unit (16) to the filling unit (20), A shutter flap (26) for the opening (24) is controlled between an open position and a fully closed position, Means (38) for maintaining overpressure in the second chamber (18), wherein the overpressure has an operating value (P1) greater than a predetermined sterilization maintenance threshold (P2) in the production mode of the equipment (10), In a facility (10) that includes at least the following, The movement of the shutter flap (26) between the open position and the fully closed position is controlled by an actuator (28) equipped with an electric motor powered via a regulator (31) such as a variator or analog board. Equipment (10).

10. The apparatus (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that an atmospheric pressure sensor (48) is located in a second chamber (18) near the opening (24).

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