Method for decontaminating containers and caps and corresponding decontamination unit - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for decontaminating a series of caps (6) and a series of containers (2) made of plastic material, each of the containers (2) intended to be closed by one cap (6) of the series of caps (6), the method comprising the steps of: emitting decontamination radiation (15) by an emitting means (14); conveying a series of containers by a first gripping means (13) along a conveying path to a radiating means (14); conveying the series of caps by the second gripping means (17) along a conveying path to the emitting means (14); Equipped with In the conveyance of a series of caps and a series of containers, the second gripping means (17) are characterized in that they alternate with the first gripping means (13) along the conveyance path in front of the emitting means (14).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of containers made from plastic materials.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a decontamination unit for a plastic container manufacturing machine. [Background technology]

[0003] In the manufacture of containers made from plastic materials, a preform is heated and then blown to obtain a final or near-final shape.

[0004] When the container is in its final form, it is filled and then capped before being packaged or palletized and shipped to a distributor.

[0005] Before being filled and capped, the container is decontaminated to remove all or part of the microorganisms present in the bottle, in particular during blowing, so that the contents of the container, once filled, cannot be degraded, in particular in its organoleptic qualities.

[0006] To that end, the containers, once in their final form, pass through a decontamination unit in which they are decontaminated, for example by being moved in front of a decontamination radiation in the form of an electron beam, which removes all or part of the microorganisms.

[0007] In parallel therewith, the caps, which may also come into contact with the product contained in the container, are also decontaminated, passing through a second decontamination unit remote from the first decontamination unit and then being led to a capping machine which makes it possible to fix the caps on the containers after they have been filled.

[0008] Thus, the cap and container each follow a different decontamination path and are brought together for the capping process.

[0009] This therefore results in high power consumption in plastic container manufacturing machines.

[0010] To mitigate this, it is possible to use a single decontamination unit in which the containers are first decontaminated before being stored to be filled, and then the caps are sequentially decontaminated as they are stored for the capping step.

[0011] However, this means that the containers and caps, once decontaminated, must be stored in a sterile environment.

[0012] Therefore, the manufacturing machine must have a storage location for the decontaminated caps and containers as well as a sterile transfer zone to ensure the transfer of the caps and bottles from the decontamination unit to the storage location.

[0013] Indeed, if the caps or containers are stored or transported in the open air before being used, they may become contaminated again, for example by microorganisms present in the ambient air. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] The object of the present invention is, inter alia, to alleviate the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0015] More specifically, the object of the invention is to propose a decontamination unit for plastic container manufacturing machines, which is cheaper and less bulky compared to prior art units.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide such a decontamination unit which makes it possible to shorten the production cycle time of plastic containers, from the moment the containers are obtained until they are sealed by the cap.

[0017] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a decontamination unit which is easy to maintain. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] These objectives, as well as others which appear below, are accomplished by the present invention.

[0019] According to one aspect, the invention relates to a method for decontaminating a series of caps and a series of containers made of plastic material, each of the containers intended to be closed by one of the series of caps (6), the method comprising the steps of: emitting decontamination radiation by an emitting means; conveying a series of containers by a first gripping means along a conveying path to a radiation means; conveying the series of caps by a second gripping means along a conveying path to a emitting means; Equipped with In conveying a series of caps and a series of containers, the second gripping means alternates with the first gripping means along the conveying path and in front of the emitting means.

[0020] Advantageously, the container and the cap have an axis, and the container and / or the cap rotate about the axis at least during the step of applying the decontamination radiation.

[0021] Advantageously, the decontamination radiation comprises an electron beam.

[0022] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a decontamination unit for carrying out the method described above, comprising: emitting means for emitting decontamination radiation; a first conveying means having a first gripping means for conveying them to the emitting means; a second conveying means having a second gripping means for holding the caps and conveying them to the emitting means; Equipped with The two first adjacent gripping means define a space (E) between them, and one of the second conveying means is characterized in that it is arranged in the space between the two first adjacent conveying means by having a conveying portion in which the second gripping means alternates with the first gripping means in front of the emitting means.

[0023] According to a variant, the invention also relates to a decontamination unit for a machine for the production of plastic containers adapted to be closed by a cap, the decontamination unit comprising: emitting means for emitting decontamination radiation; a first conveying means having a first gripping means for holding the containers by their necks and conveying them to the radiating means; Equipped with the decontamination unit also includes a second conveying means having a second gripping means for holding the cap and conveying the cap to the irradiating means; two first adjacent gripping means defining a space between them, and the second conveying means is positioned relative to the first conveying means by the second gripping means having conveying portions alternating with the first gripping means in front of the emitting means; It is characterized by:

[0024] Such a decontamination unit therefore makes it possible to carry out a simultaneous decontamination of the cap and the container.

[0025] Thus, the footprint of the container production machine is reduced as well as in particular its power consumption.

[0026] Moreover, such a decontamination unit makes it possible to limit the amount of unused decontamination radiation, in particular between the necks of the containers, since the cap is inserted between the necks of the containers, so that part of the decontamination radiation initially lost is now used.

[0027] Advantageously, the first gripping means and the second gripping means lie in the same plane.

[0028] This allows for saving footprint of the decontamination unit while increasing its operational capacity for simultaneous decontamination of, for example, caps and containers.

[0029] Preferably, the decontamination unit comprises: an input carousel in communication with a first supply line for containers and a second supply line for caps; a processing carousel fed by an input carousel; an output carousel fed by a processing carousel; Equipped with The input carousel, the processing carousel and the output carousel each support a first transport means and a second transport means.

[0030] This configuration of the decontamination unit makes it possible to simplify the transport of the containers and the caps: in fact, there is no need to increase the number of carousels, since one and the same carousel can transport both caps and containers.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the gripping means comprises a rotational drive means for driving the containers and caps on the processing carousel.

[0032] The rotary drive means driving the containers and caps on the treatment carousel allows all of the surfaces of the bodies and caps to be treated by the decontamination radiation upon exposure thereof. Thus, by pivoting, the caps and containers are fully exposed to the decontamination radiation and are therefore fully decontaminated.

[0033] In this case, the rotary drive means advantageously comprises: a pad intended to contact the container and the cap to drive them in rotation by friction; motor means for rotating the pad; Equipped with.

[0034] Driving the caps and containers by contact with the pads makes it possible to avoid damage to them in rotation. Indeed, systems involving clamps can leave indentation marks on the caps and containers.

[0035] Preferably, the pad comprises: a use position in contact with the container or cap; a rest position separated from the container or the cap; It is movable between Each pad is positioned in an in-use or rest position by a cam path and a roller fixed to the pad.

[0036] Thus, the actuation of the pad between its use position and its rest position is mechanically controlled and, as a result, does not require a dedicated energy consuming control.

[0037] Furthermore, the mechanical control of the pad movement provides a long working life and low risk of wear.

[0038] Advantageously, the first gripping means comprises a support means for supporting the container on a processing carousel.

[0039] These bases allow for better gripping of the container within the decontamination unit.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the support means comprise bases intended to receive the bottom of a container, each base having: The use position is in contact with the bottom of the container. a rest position separated from the bottom of the container; It is movable between Each base is positioned in a use or rest position by a cam path and a roller fixed to the base.

[0041] The drive of the base between the use position and the rest position is therefore mechanically controlled and, as a result, does not require a dedicated energy consuming control.

[0042] Furthermore, the mechanical control of the base movement provides a long working life and low risk of wear.

[0043] Advantageously, each base is free to rotate in its use position.

[0044] Thus, the base prevents friction that may damage the bottom of the container as it rotates.

[0045] Advantageously, the decontamination radiation comprises an electron beam.

[0046] Advantageously, the first conveying means is adapted to cooperate with a support ring for the neck of the container, the cap having no support ring such that the first gripping means are entirely different from the second gripping means.

[0047] The present invention also relates to a container manufacturing machine, comprising: A blow unit; A capping unit;

[0023] a decontamination unit as described above; Equipped with The decontamination unit is interposed between the blow unit and the capping unit.

[0048] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent on reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0049] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a plastic container manufacturing machine including a decontamination unit according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top longitudinal cross-sectional view of a decontamination unit according to the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the alignment of containers and caps intended to be placed in a decontamination unit according to the present invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the inset of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the rotary drive means for driving the caps and containers in the decontamination unit according to the invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the support means for supporting the container in the decontamination unit according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a machine 1 for producing containers 2 made of plastic material according to the invention.

[0051] Such a manufacturing machine 1 includes: Blow unit 3; Decontamination Unit 4; A capping unit 5; Equipped with.

[0052] The blowing unit 3, known from the prior art, makes it possible to obtain the container 2 having its final shape from a preform made of preheated plastic material.

[0053] Once the container 2 leaves the blow unit 3, it is then led to a decontamination unit 4 where it is decontaminated, i.e. where all or part of the microorganisms that the container 2 may contain before it is generally filled with liquid are removed.

[0054] The cap 6 intended to seal the container 2 and generally manufactured by injection is also decontaminated before being used for capping the container 2 in the capping unit 5 when the container 2 is filled.

[0055] The capping unit 5 is supplied with filled containers 2 along a first supply line 7 on the one hand and with decontaminated caps 6 along a second supply line 8 on the other hand.

[0056] Then, in a capping unit 5, caps 6 are introduced onto the filled containers 2, in particular onto their necks, thereby sealing them and thus containing therein the product they contain, generally a liquid.

[0057] According to prior art techniques, the cap 6 and the container 2 are decontaminated on each side before being joined in the capping unit 5.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a decontamination unit 4 according to the invention, in which cap 6 and container 2 are decontaminated simultaneously.

[0059] This is done in particular by sharp positioning of the cap 6 and the container 2 in the decontamination unit 4, as shown in Figs.

[0060] More specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the attached containers 2 are displaced back and forth in line within the decontamination unit 4 to define an unoccupied space E therebetween.

[0061] More specifically, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, between two consecutive necks of the container 2, an empty space E makes it possible to accommodate a cap 6 to be decontaminated.

[0062] Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, the decontamination unit 4 is connected to a first supply line 7 of containers 2 coming from the blow unit 3 or a buffer storage zone and to a second supply line 8 of caps 6 coming from a storage zone or a supply hopper.

[0063] Referring to Figures 2 and 4, the decontamination unit 4 comprises: an input carousel 9 in communication with a first supply line 7 of containers 2 and a second supply line 8 of caps 6; a processing carousel 10 in communication with the input carousel 9; an output carousel 11 in communication with the processing carousel 10; Equipped with.

[0064] An input carousel 9 makes it possible to receive the caps 6 and the containers 2 to be decontaminated, in particular the necks of these containers 2, from each of the first supply line 7 and the second supply line 8.

[0065] Thus, by means of the supply from each line, it is possible to insert, on the input carousel 9, a cap 6 to be decontaminated between the two necks of a container 2 to be decontaminated.

[0066] To this end, decontamination unit 4: - first conveying means 12 having first gripping means 13 for holding the containers 2 by their necks and conveying them to the emitting means 14 of the decontamination unit 4 for emitting decontamination radiation 15; a second conveying means 16 having a second gripping means 17 for holding the cap 6 for conveying the cap 6 to the emission means 14; Equipped with.

[0067] As shown in the detailed views of Figures 3 and 4, the decontamination unit 4 is configured such that first adjacent gripping means 13 define a gap E between them and the second conveying means 16 is arranged relative to the first conveying means 12 to position the second gripping means 17 alternately with the first gripping means 13 in front of the radiation means 14.

[0068] In other words, on each carousel it is possible to observe an alternation between the first gripping means 13 and the second gripping means 17. Figure 4 illustrates this alternation, for example by using the processing carousel 10.

[0069] Preferably, the first gripping means 13 and the second gripping means 17 take the form of a clamp, the two jaws of which are immovable relative to each other. In another embodiment, the second gripping means takes the form of a notch.

[0070] Viewed from above, the gripping means 13, 17 therefore take the form of a U-shape.

[0071] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the emission of decontamination radiation 15 occurs over a generally rectangular window 18, indicated by dashed lines.

[0072] It can thus be seen that over its entire width, each container 2 is reached by the decontamination radiation 15. Thus, at the neck, which has smaller dimensions (especially in terms of diameter) than the body of the container 2, the decontamination radiation 15 will not only scan above the container 2, but also the material-free areas on either side of the neck.

[0073] Thus, by inserting the cap 6 between two successive necks, the decontamination radiation 15 encounters the material of the cap 6 and thus allows decontamination of the cap 6 at the same time as decontaminating the container 2 .

[0074] Advantageously, the first gripping means 13 and the second gripping means 17 lie in the same plane. The cap 6 is then placed in the same plane as the neck of the container 2.

[0075] According to a first embodiment, the gripping means 13 , 17 supported by the processing carousel 10 are arranged at a lower level relative to the gripping means 13 , 17 supported by the input carousel 9 and the output carousel 11 .

[0076] According to the second embodiment, the gripping means 13 , 17 supported by the processing carousel 10 are arranged at a higher level with respect to the gripping means 13 , 17 supported by the input carousel 10 and the output carousel 11 .

[0077] Irrespective of the first or second embodiment, the gripping means 13, 17 of the output carousel 11 and the gripping means 13, 17 of the input carousel 10 are preferentially coplanar.

[0078] In order to obtain complete decontamination of the container 2 and the cap 6 , the container 2 and the cap 6 must be rotated 180° so that all of their surroundings are exposed to the decontamination radiation 15 .

[0079] This is done using the rotary drive means 19 and support means 20 shown in FIGS.

[0080] Next, the rotation drive means 19 for driving the cap 6 and the container 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0081] These rotary drive means 19 are: a pad 21 intended to come into contact with the container 2 and the cap 6 and to drive them in rotation by friction; a motor means 22 for rotating the pad 21; Equipped with.

[0082] Advantageously, the pad 21 is made from an elastically deformable material such as rubber or from an inert material that does not react to the decontamination radiation 15 .

[0083] This material makes it possible on the one hand to withstand the decontamination radiation 15 but changes its shape on contact with the container 2 or the cap 6 allowing a frictional cooperation that drives the rotation of the cap 6 and the container 2 .

[0084] When the containers 2 and caps 6 are taken over by the processing carousel 10, the rotary drive means 19 must be inoperative to allow the caps 6 and containers 2 to be inserted into or removed from the processing carousel 10.

[0085] To this end, pad 21 is a use position in contact with the container 2 or the cap 6; a rest position in which they are separated from the container 2 or the cap 6; can be adopted.

[0086] Thus, so as to be able to assume a position of use or a position of rest, each pad 21 is controlled in its movement by a cam path 23 and by a roller 24 fixed to the pad 21 and cooperating with the cam path 23 .

[0087] More specifically, the cam path 23 takes the form of a crown ring mounted above the processing carousel 10 , with rollers 24 connected to the pads 21 by rods 25 .

[0088] The rod 25 then passes through a frame 26 fixed to the processing carousel 10 and is attached to said frame 26 via return means 27. The return means 27 make it possible for the roller 24 to follow the cam path 23.

[0089] Thus, the crown ring forming the cam path 23 has a surface with recesses 28 which allow the rollers 24 to be positioned at points away from the processing carousel 10 .

[0090] This recess forms the part where the pad 21 is in its rest position and is thus separated from the cap 6 and the container 2 .

[0091] On the other hand, when the pad 21 is in the use position, it is driven in rotation by the motor means 22 and drives the cap 6 and container 2 in rotation by friction, causing them to pivot while passing in front of the decontamination radiation 15.

[0092] In order to guide the container 2 during its rotation in the decontamination unit 4, said first gripping means 13 are provided with support means 20, as previously described.

[0093] The support means 20 is disposed on the opposite side to the rotary drive means 19 that drives the container 2 and is adapted to receive the bottom of the container 2 .

[0094] More specifically, the support means 20 comprises a base 29 which is intended to cooperate with the bottom of the container 2 to prevent the container 2 from tilting off-axis during rotation of the container 2 and thus force the container to extend vertically between the rotational drive means 19 and the support means 20.

[0095] Just as the rotary drive means 19 must be separated from the containers 2 and caps 6 during the various exchanges between the processing carousel 10 and the input carousel 9 or the output carousel 11, the support means 20 must also be so separated.

[0096] To this end, the base 29 is a use position in contact with the bottom of the container 2; a rest position in which it is separated from the bottom of the container 2; can be adopted.

[0097] Each base 29 is driven into a use or rest position by a cam path 30 and a roller 31 fixed to the base.

[0098] More specifically, each roller 31 is secured to a base 29 by a rod 32 that is mounted for translation on the frame 26 of the processing carousel 10 .

[0099] The cam path 30 also takes the form of a crown ring over which the roller 31 is intended to circulate.

[0100] The rod 32 is mounted on the frame of the processing carousel 10 via a return means 33 , the purpose of which is to keep the roller 31 of the support means 20 in contact with the cam path 30 .

[0101] The cam path 30 also has a recess 34 which allows the roller 31 to be separated from the processing carousel 10, particularly in a rest position at the base 29, to allow exchange of containers 2 between the processing carousel 10 and the input carousel 9 or the output carousel 11.

[0102] During rotation of the container, the base 29 is allowed to rotate freely, which makes it possible to avoid friction between the container and the base 29 .

[0103] In other words, the bases 29 follow the rotational movement of the containers 2 with which they cooperate.

[0104] When the decontamination unit 4 is in operation, i.e. during a production cycle, the containers 2 and caps 6 are fed to the decontamination unit 4 by a first supply line 7 and a second supply line 8, respectively.

[0105] Means for blocking the containers 2 and caps 6 in their respective supply lines allow the passage of the caps 6 or containers 2 into the input carousel 9, making it possible to position the caps 6 between two successive containers 2.

[0106] The containers 2 and caps 6 are then fed into the decontamination unit 4 by the input carousel 9 until they reach the processing carousel 10 , where they then leave the input carousel 9 .

[0107] More specifically, the containers 2 and the caps 6 come to be received in the first gripping means 13 and the second gripping means 17 of the processing carousel 10, respectively.

[0108] The processing carousel 10 is then driven in rotation to expose the containers 2 and caps 6 to decontamination radiation 15 .

[0109] During rotation of the processing carousel 10 , the rotational drive means 19 and the support means 20 are in contact with each of the containers 2 making it possible to rotate the containers 2 , particularly when the containers 2 are exposed to the decontamination radiation 15 .

[0110] The cap 6 is also rotated by the pad 21 of the rotating means 19 pressing against the rotating means, and the cap 6 slides on the second gripping means 17 in the rotation.

[0111] Once the caps 6 and containers 2 have been decontaminated, they are then directed by the processing carousel 10 to the output carousel 11 which uses its first gripping means 13 and second gripping means 17 to hold the decontaminated caps 6 and containers 2 and direct them to a transport line emerging into the capping unit 5.

[0112] Preferably, the capping unit 5 also forms a filling unit so that the cap 6 and the filled container 2 can be assembled.

[0113] By then placing the cap 6 between the necks of the container 2, it becomes possible to decontaminate both the cap 6 and the container 2 in a single decontamination step, since only a single decontamination unit 4 is required, making it possible to do so not only in the interest of the energy consumption of the manufacturing machine 1, but also in the interest of the compactness of the manufacturing machine 1, for these same reasons.

[0114] Furthermore, this makes it possible to ensure that a single sterilization circuit is required to transport the decontaminated containers 2 and caps 6.

Claims

1. A method for decontaminating a series of caps (6) made of plastic material and a series of containers (2), each of the containers (2) intended to be closed by one of the series of caps (6), the method comprising the steps of: emitting decontamination radiation (15) by an emitting means (14); - conveying a series of containers by a first gripping means (13) along a conveying path to a radiating means (14); transporting a series of caps by a second gripping means (17) along the same transport path to a radiation means (14); Equipped with 1. A method for decontamination, characterized in that in the conveyance of a series of caps and a series of containers, the second gripping means (17) alternates with the first gripping means (13) along the conveyance path and in front of the decontamination radiation (15).

2. 2. The decontamination method of claim 1, wherein the container and the cap have an axis, and the container and / or the cap are rotated about the axis at least during the step of irradiating with the decontamination radiation.

3. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the decontamination radiation comprises an electron beam.

4. A decontamination unit (4) for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: - a radiation means (14) for emitting decontamination radiation (15); a first conveying means (12) having a first gripping means (13) and conveying them to a radiation means (14); a second conveying means (16) having a second gripping means (17) for holding the caps (6) and conveying them to the emitting means (14); Equipped with A decontamination unit (4), characterized in that two first adjacent gripping means (13) define a gap (E) between them, and one of the second conveying means (16) is arranged in the gap between the two first adjacent conveying means (12) by having a conveying section in which the second gripping means (17) alternates with the first gripping means (13) in front of the radiation means (14).

5. 5. A decontamination unit (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first gripping means (13) and the second gripping means (17) are located in the same plane.

6. A decontamination unit (4) according to claim 4 or 5, an input carousel (9) in communication with a first supply line (7) for the containers (2) and a second supply line (8) for the caps (6); a processing carousel (10) fed by an input carousel (9); an output carousel (11) fed by a processing carousel (10); Equipped with A decontamination unit (4), characterized in that the input carousel (9), the processing carousel (10) and the output carousel (11) each support a first transport means (12) and a second transport means (16).

7. 7. A decontamination unit (4) according to claim 6, characterized in that the gripping means (13, 17) comprise rotational drive means (19) for driving the containers (2) and caps (6) on the treatment carousel (10).

8. The rotary drive means (19) a pad (21) intended to come into contact with the container (2) and the cap (6) and to drive them in rotation by friction; a motor means (22) for rotating the pad (21); A decontamination unit (4) according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises:

9. The pad (21) is a use position in contact with the container (2) or the cap (6); a rest position in which it is separated from the container (2) or the cap (6); It is movable between 9. A decontamination unit (4) according to claim 8, characterized in that each pad (21) is positioned in its use or rest position by a cam path (23) and by a roller (24) fixed to the pad (21).

10. A decontamination unit (4) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that the first gripping means (13) comprise support means (20) for supporting the container (2) on the treatment carousel (10).

11. The support means (20) comprise bases (29) intended to receive the bottom of a container (2), each base (29) having: a use position in contact with the bottom of the container (2); a rest position in which it is separated from the bottom of the container (2); It is movable between 11. A decontamination unit (4) according to claim 10, characterized in that each base (29) is positioned in its use position or in its rest position by a cam path (30) and by a roller (31) fixed to the base (29).

12. A decontamination unit (4) according to claim 11, characterised in that each base (29) is free to rotate in its use position.

13. A decontamination unit (4) according to any one of claims 4 to 12, characterised in that the first conveying means is adapted to hold the container (2) at its neck.

14. A container manufacturing machine (1), comprising: A blow unit (3), A capping unit (5); A decontamination unit (4) according to any one of claims 4 to 13, Equipped with A container manufacturing machine (1), wherein the decontamination unit (4) is inserted between the blowing unit (3) and the capping unit (5).

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