Device for producing containers with lock space for ejecting sorted-out preforms and / or sorted-out containers from a clean room

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for producing containers (82) from thermally conditioned preforms (81) and to a method (100) for ejecting sorted-out preforms and / or sorted-out containers from a clean room (35). The device comprises a container production and / or container handling system (30), a clean room (35), a sterile air supply unit (35a) and a lock space (20) for ejecting sorted-out preforms and / or sorted-out containers from the clean room (35). The lock space (20) has a receiving region (21) for receiving sorted-out preforms and / or sorted-out containers. The lock space (20) furthermore has a lock space opening (22) for removing sorted-out preforms and / or sorted-out containers from the lock space, wherein the lock space opening (22) can be closed by means of a first closure device (6). The device comprises an intermediate storage space (5) of the clean room (35), wherein the intermediate storage space (5) comprises a conveying apparatus (5a) which is arranged and designed to convey sorted-out preforms and / or sorted-out containers from the clean room (35) towards the lock space (20). Furthermore, an ejection opening (25) is provided, which fluidically connects the intermediate storage space (5) to the lock space (20) and which can be closed by means of a second closure device (7).

Description

[0001] Device for producing containers with a lock chamber for discharging rejected preforms and / or rejected containers from a clean room

[0002] The invention relates to a device for producing containers from thermally conditioned preforms. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for removing rejected containers from a clean room.

[0003] The production of containers from preforms made of a thermoplastic material by blow molding is generally known, for example for preforms made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The preforms are fed to different processing stations or treatment stations within a blow molding machine. Typically, a blow molding machine has a heating device for tempering or thermally conditioning the preforms, the heating device treats preforms by heating, as well as a blow molding device with at least one blow molding station, in whose

[0004] The previously temperature-conditioned preform is expanded into a container. The treatment in the blow molding unit therefore consists in the transformation of the preform into a container. Tempering or thermal conditioning means that the preform is heated to a temperature suitable for the transformation and, if necessary, a temperature profile is given to the preform in the longitudinal direction and / or in the

[0005] circumferential direction. The forming of containers from preforms with the additional use of a stretching rod is also known. The expansion takes place, for example, with the aid of a compressed gas, in particular compressed air, as the pressure medium, which is introduced into the preform to be expanded with a forming pressure. The process sequence for this type of expansion of the preform is explained, for example, in DE 43 40 291 A1. The basic structure of a blow molding station is described, for example, in DE 42 12 583 A1. According to a typical further processing method, the containers produced by blow molding are fed to a subsequent treatment by a filling device and here filled with the intended product or filling material. However, it is also possible to produce containers from preforms and at the same time fill them with a liquid filling material, which acts as a hydraulic pressure medium for expanding the preform orto form the container with a forming and filling pressure, so that the respective preform is formed into the container at the same time as it is filled.

[0006] Furthermore, it is known to carry out the treatment of containers under sterile conditions. For example, in the production of containers from preforms, it is known, in particular, to carry out the forming process in which preforms are converted into containers under sterile conditions. For this purpose, a clean room is typically used, within which the treatment and / or production of the containers takes place.

[0007] It is known to separate containers to be treated in treatment devices or containers that have already been treated according to certain criteria. For example, during the manufacturing process, defective preforms and / or defective containers can be separated out. For this purpose, inspection devices can be provided, for example, to check preforms or containers in general for whether they meet or do not meet certain criteria and, if a defect is detected, to separate the container, e.g., by an ejector dropping the container from the transport device conveying the container. A pair of tongs conveying the container could, for example, open or push a container out of a container stream. This can prevent defective preforms and / or defective containers from being fed to further production stations. Defective preforms can, for example, be bent, which, for example,in the area of ​​the heating device or during transfer processes, so that rejecting the preform is preferable. Defective containers may, for example, have blow molding defects. A defect may also consist of incorrectly designed sealing surfaces or handling structures of a container, so that safe handling or a sealing connection of a blow molding or filling nozzle is not guaranteed. There are many examples of such rejection of containers in the prior art. The terms "rejection" and "sorting" are used synonymously.

[0008] Rejection for quality control is also conceivable. During the manufacturing process, preforms and / or containers, for example, may be removed from the production process to undergo quality control examination, e.g., by visual inspection or measurement. Rejected preforms and / or containers may therefore be defective or non-defective preforms and / or containers, for example, removed for quality control. One problem in this case is the removal of rejected preforms and / or containers from a clean room during the manufacturing process.

[0009] EP 3 473 406 A1 discloses a device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers. The device includes an ejection device for removing defective plastic containers from a cleanroom. A suction device, in which a negative pressure is generated, is used to remove the plastic containers. The continuous suction by the suction device is intended to prevent contamination of the cleanroom. The extracted plastic containers are received in a receiving space that is not maintained under sterile conditions. A disadvantage of such a device is that contamination of the cleanroom can occur when the receiving space is emptied, since the receiving space is not maintained under sterile conditions.In such a case, production must be stopped and the clean room must first be sterilized before production can resume. Another disadvantage of such a device is that the storage space must be relatively large to accommodate a large number of containers and thus reduce the frequency of emptying, which requires a lot of space. Furthermore, the constant extraction system requires a lot of energy.

[0010] DE 10 2014 1 17 032 A1 discloses a device for sterilizing objects. This device comprises a sterilization chamber and a sterilization device for exposing objects accommodated in the sterilization chamber to a sterilization medium and / or sterilizing radiation. The sterilization chamber has a lower region for catching dropped objects, and a carrier element is provided for carrying objects that have fallen into the lower region of the sterilization chamber in order to remove the dropped objects from the sterilization chamber during operation of the sterilization device.

[0011] WO 2017 / 102539 A1 discloses a device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, in which plastic preforms are formed into containers within a cleanroom. An ejection device is provided for ejecting containers from the cleanroom. The ejection device has a lock chamber from which ejected containers can be removed without contaminating the cleanroom. A disadvantage of such a device, however, is that – for example, if the device is operated incorrectly – contamination of the cleanroom can occur despite the use of a lock chamber. In such a case, production must be stopped and the cleanroom must first be sterilized so that production can resume.

[0012] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an improved solution that addresses the aforementioned problems. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a solution by means of which preforms and / or containers rejected during the container manufacturing process can be removed from a sterile area and unwanted exchange between the sterile area and a non-sterile area can be reliably prevented. This unwanted exchange can be the penetration of germs or other particles that endanger the sterility of the cleanroom, or the leakage of sterilizing agent from the cleanroom area into the non-sterile environment.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Accordingly, a device for producing containers from thermally conditioned preforms is provided, the device comprising a container production and / or container treatment plant, in particular a forming device with several forming stations for forming the preforms into containers, a clean room, wherein at least part of the container production and / or container treatment plant is arranged within the clean room, wherein in particular the forming stations of the forming device are arranged within the clean room, a sterile air supply unit, wherein the clean room is fluidically connectable to the sterile air supply unit, wherein the sterile air supply unit and the clean room are designed to cooperate in such a way that sterile air is provided in the clean room and an overpressure is generated in the clean room,and a lock chamber for discharging rejected preforms and / or rejected containers from the clean room, wherein the lock chamber has a receiving area for receiving rejected preforms and / or rejected containers, and wherein the lock chamber has a lock chamber opening for removing rejected preforms and / or rejected containers from the lock chamber, wherein the lock chamber opening is closable by means of a first closing device, wherein the first closing device is adjustable between an open position, in which rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can be moved from the lock chamber through the lock chamber opening out of the lock chamber, and a closed position, in which no rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can be moved from the lock chamber through the lock chamber opening out of the lock chamber.

[0014] According to the invention, the device comprises an intermediate storage space of the clean room, wherein the intermediate storage space comprises a conveyor device which is arranged and designed to convey sorted preforms and / or sorted containers from the clean room in the direction of the lock room, and that the device comprises a discharge opening which fluidically connects the intermediate storage space to the lock room and which can be closed by means of a second closing device, wherein the second closing device is adjustable between an open position in which sorted preforms and / or sorted containers can be moved from the intermediate storage space through the discharge opening into the lock room, and a closed position in which no sorted preforms and / or sorted containers can be moved from the intermediate storage space through the discharge opening into the lock room.

[0015] Thus, a device for producing containers from preforms is proposed, which device comprises a clean room with an intermediate storage space, wherein a conveyor device is provided in the intermediate storage space, which serves to move rejected preforms and / or rejected containers to the lock room. Furthermore, a closable discharge opening is provided, which fluidically connects the intermediate storage space to the lock room and which can be opened and closed. One advantage of such a device is that, during the container production process, rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can be removed from a sterile area, in particular from the clean room, and an undesired exchange between the sterile area and a non-sterile area can be reliably avoided.This, firstly, reliably prevents the unwanted penetration of germs or other particles that could compromise the sterility of the cleanroom. Secondly, it reliably prevents the leakage, especially of large quantities, of sterilizing agents, such as H2O2, from the cleanroom area into the non-sterile environment.

[0016] A further advantage of such a device is that rejected containers and / or preforms can be removed during production without having to stop container production for removal. This is particularly possible in an automated manner.

[0017] A further advantage of such a device is that the removal of rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can also take place during operation of the device, i.e. during the production of containers from thermally conditioned preforms, without negatively affecting the sterility of the clean room.

[0018] The device for producing containers from preforms can, for example, be designed as a stretch blow molding machine.

[0019] A cleanroom is understood in particular to be a room in which conditions prevail, at least in part, under which contamination of preforms and / or containers moved within the cleanroom can be avoided. The cleanroom can be actively sterilized, but does not have to be actively sterilized or decontaminated. In particular, it is possible for the cleanroom to be pressurized with sterile displacement air in such a way that no contamination occurs, at least in those areas in which preforms and / or containers are moved through the cleanroom, thus avoiding contamination of the preforms and / or containers. The cleanroom is preferably separated from a non-sterile environment by at least one wall. Overpressure is maintained in the cleanroom during production to prevent non-sterile air from entering the cleanroom and thus ensure sterile conditions in the cleanroom.The container manufacturing and / or container treatment system can, in particular, be a forming device designed to form the preforms into containers. The forming device is preferably designed as a blow molding device. However, a forming device for hydraulic forming can also be used, for example, the filling material to be filled into the container can be used as the forming fluid.

[0020] Such a forming device, in particular, comprises several forming stations. A forming station is understood here and below to mean, in particular, a forming station formed from molded parts, preferably two mold halves and optionally a base molded part. The forming stations are thus preferably formed by the molded parts used for forming.

[0021] Such a forming device preferably comprises a transfer device for transferring preforms to the forming stations, in particular a transfer wheel, and a removal device, in particular a removal wheel, for removing containers from the forming stations. Different transfer devices can be used for transferring the preforms to the forming stations and removal devices for removing containers from the forming stations, or a common transfer device can be used for transfer and removal. The aforementioned transfer and removal devices do not have to be directly connected to the forming device; instead, additional transfer wheels can be provided between them.

[0022] For forming, a stretching rod and a stretching rod drive can also be provided. These can interact with the forming stations but are not part of the forming stations. Thus, a forming station, together with other elements, such as a stretching rod and a stretching rod drive, can form a blow molding station.

[0023] The forming stations are preferably located within the clean room. They can also be partially located within the clean room, in which case the clean room is then essentially limited, for example, to the areas in which the preforms and containers are guided and the treatment takes place, while drives or the like can also be located outside the clean room. This is known in the prior art, for example, for the stretching rod and the stretching rod drive, which can, for example, be only partially located within the clean room. The treatment carried out on the device can therefore be, for example, the forming of a preform into a container.However, the treatment may also consist of filling a container, closing a container, labeling a container, packaging a container, sterilizing a container, cleaning a container, coating the inside and / or outside of the container, or the like.

[0024] The sterile air supply unit is preferably fluidically connected to the cleanroom. The sterile air supply unit and the cleanroom are designed to interact in such a way that sterile air is provided in the cleanroom and an overpressure is generated. The overpressure generated requires, in particular, a certain degree of tightness of the cleanroom. This sterile air supply unit and the sterile air it provides should not be confused with any sterile blown air that may be used. The sterile air referred to here is used to pressurize the cleanroom, while the blown air is used for forming the preforms and is under a much higher pressure of many bar, namely the required forming pressure.

[0025] Containers and preforms are preferably sorted out using a sorting device. The sorted preforms and / or containers are then removed from the production process using the sorting device. The sorting device can have an ejection device for ejecting rejected preforms and / or containers.

[0026] The intermediate storage area is, in particular, a component of the clean room. Rejected preforms and / or containers can be accommodated in the intermediate storage area. The preforms and / or containers that have been rejected, preferably by means of the sorting device, are preferably transferred to the intermediate storage area.

[0027] The intermediate storage space comprises a conveyor device by means of which the sorted preforms and / or sorted containers can be conveyed from the intermediate storage space toward the lock chamber. Preferably, the conveyor device has means for conveying the sorted preforms and / or sorted containers toward the lock chamber.

[0028] The lock chamber serves, in particular, to remove rejected preforms and / or rejected containers from the clean room. The lock chamber has a receiving area in which rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can be received. The lock chamber is preferably located outside, and preferably at least partially below, particularly preferably completely below, the clean room.

[0029] Rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can be removed from the lock chamber via the lock chamber opening, so that the rejected preforms and / or rejected containers are then located outside the clean room and outside the lock chamber after removal. The lock chamber opening can be closed by means of the first closing device, which is adjustable between an open position and a closed position.

[0030] The lock chamber and the clean room, in particular the lock chamber and the intermediate storage chamber of the clean room, are fluidically connected to one another via the discharge opening. The discharge opening is preferably arranged between the intermediate storage chamber of the clean room and the lock chamber. The discharge opening can be closed by means of the second closing device, wherein the second closing device is adjustable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position of the second closing device, rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can be conveyed by means of the conveyor device from the intermediate storage chamber of the clean room through the discharge opening into the lock chamber. In the closed position of the second closing device, this is not possible because the discharge opening is then closed.In the open position of the second closing device, the discharge opening is open, and a connection exists between the clean room, in particular the intermediate storage area, and the lock room. In the closed position of the second closing device, the discharge opening is closed, and there is no connection between the clean room, in particular the intermediate storage area, and the lock room. The second closing device, by means of which the discharge opening can be closed, can comprise several individual elements, in particular several closing elements.

[0031] Preferably, rejected preforms and / or rejected containers are collected within the intermediate storage space during container production when the second closing device is arranged in the closed position. Thus, container production can advantageously continue even while the second closing device is arranged in the closed position.

[0032] It is particularly preferred that the device be designed such that, during a container manufacturing operation of the device, at least one of the first closing device and the second closing device is arranged in the closed position at all times. The first closing device and the second closing device can thus be used to particularly advantageously ensure that no unwanted penetration of germs or other particles that could endanger the sterility of the cleanroom occurs, and that no sterilant escapes from the cleanroom into the non-sterile environment.

[0033] It is particularly preferred that the conveying device is designed as a movable conveying device for moving sorted preforms and / or sorted containers in the direction of the lock chamber.

[0034] Preferably, the conveying device comprises at least one movable conveying means which is designed to convey sorted preforms and / or sorted containers from the intermediate storage space in the direction of the lock space.

[0035] The conveying device is preferably designed as a circulating conveyor belt. Such a conveyor belt is preferably arranged at the bottom of the intermediate storage space, with the upper side of the conveyor belt moving toward the lock chamber when conveying rejected preforms and / or rejected containers. Alternatively or in addition to such a conveyor belt, the conveying device can comprise a pusher element designed to push rejected preforms and / or rejected containers toward the lock chamber.

[0036] It is particularly preferred that the conveyor device is arranged at the bottom of the intermediate storage space. Preferably, the conveyor device is arranged at the bottom of the intermediate storage space and extends at least partially along the bottom of the intermediate storage space.

[0037] It is particularly preferred that the device comprises a decontamination device which is arranged and designed to decontaminate the conveying device, at least in sections, preferably by applying a chemical decontaminating substance and / or by applying radiation, in particular UV radiation.

[0038] The decontamination device is preferably used to decontaminate the conveyor system, in particular continuously and / or during production. The decontamination device can, for example, be designed to decontaminate a circulating conveyor belt, in particular continuously. Preferably, the decontamination device is arranged below the circulating conveyor belt and is particularly designed to continuously decontaminate the conveyor belt side running on the lower side of the conveyor belt.

[0039] It is particularly preferred that the conveying device has a bottom surface that runs obliquely relative to the horizontal direction and obliquely vertically downwards in the direction of the lock chamber.

[0040] The conveying device is preferably designed as an inclined floor surface of the intermediate storage area, wherein the inclined floor surface is particularly oriented at an angle to the horizontal plane, wherein the inclined floor surface is preferably designed to slope downwards toward the lock chamber. Such an inclined floor surface can be understood, in particular, as an inclined floor surface. By means of such an inclined floor surface, it can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner that rejected preforms and / or rejected containers entering the intermediate storage area move towards the lock chamber due to gravity.

[0041] Preferably, the floor surface is inclined relative to the horizontal direction by at least 10°, particularly preferably at least 20°, and in particular at least 25°, and / or the floor surface is inclined relative to the horizontal direction by at most 80°, particularly preferably at most 70°, and in particular at most 60°. Such a minimum inclination can ensure that the rejected preforms and / or rejected containers move toward the lock chamber due to gravity.

[0042] It is particularly preferred that the second closing device is arranged in the open position at least temporarily during normal production operation and at least temporarily while the first closing device is arranged in the closed position. Normal production operation is understood, in particular, to mean a container manufacturing operation, wherein containers are produced from preforms during normal production operation.

[0043] Preferably, the second closing device is therefore arranged in the open position when, firstly, normal production operation prevails and, secondly, the first closing device is arranged in the closed position.

[0044] One advantage of such a second closing device, which is arranged in the open position during normal production operation, is that rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can be conveyed from the intermediate storage space of the clean room by means of the conveyor device directly through the discharge opening into the lock space. In this state, no rejected preforms and / or rejected containers are then temporarily stored in the intermediate storage space. Intermediate storage in the intermediate storage space can, however, take place in particular when the discharge opening is closed. Intermediate storage in the intermediate storage space can preferably always take place when the first closing device is arranged in the open position, since the second closing device is then arranged in the closed position and not in the open position.

[0045] It is particularly preferred that the airlock chamber be arranged at least partially, preferably completely, vertically below the intermediate storage chamber of the cleanroom. An advantage of such an arrangement of the airlock chamber is that the air in the pressurized cleanroom flows downward toward the airlock chamber, but not from the airlock chamber back into the cleanroom. Such an arrangement can therefore provide additional protection against the penetration of unsterile air from the airlock chamber into the cleanroom.

[0046] Preferably, the intermediate storage space of the clean room is arranged at least partially below the rest of the clean room. One advantage of such an arrangement of the intermediate storage space is that the air in the pressurized clean room flows downwards and thus towards the intermediate storage space, but not from the intermediate storage space back into the rest of the clean room. However, it is also conceivable for the intermediate storage space of the clean room to be arranged at the same height as the rest of the clean room. This can be particularly advantageous when space is limited. It is particularly preferred that a ventilation device is connected to the airlock room, in particular by means of a ventilation line of the ventilation device connected to the airlock room.

[0047] The ventilation device is preferably designed to convey sterile air into the lock chamber via the ventilation line. One advantage of the ventilation device is that, particularly when the first closing device and the second closing device are each arranged in the closed position, it enables the lock chamber to be ventilated with sterile air. This makes it particularly advantageous to provide sterile air in the lock chamber after the removal of discharged preforms and / or discharged containers from the lock chamber, for which the first closing device must be set to the open position, before the second closing device is opened again. This advantageously prevents contaminated air from flowing from the lock chamber into the intermediate storage space.

[0048] Preferably, the air which is fed into the lock chamber by means of the ventilation device is filtered, particularly preferably by means of a HEPA filter.

[0049] It is particularly preferred that a suction device is connected to the lock chamber, in particular by means of a suction line of the suction device connected to the lock chamber.

[0050] The extraction device is preferably designed to extract air from the lock chamber via the extraction line. One advantage of the extraction device is that it enables extraction of the lock chamber, particularly when the first closing device and the second closing device are each arranged in the closed position. Such extraction is preferably carried out immediately before the removal of rejected preforms and / or rejected containers from the lock chamber. This ensures, in a particularly advantageous manner, that no large quantities of sterilizing agent, e.g., H2O2, escape from the cleanroom area into the non-sterile environment.This is achieved in particular by removing the sterilizing agent located in the lock chamber, or at least a large part of the sterilizing agent located in the lock chamber, from the lock chamber by means of the suction device, in particular immediately before the opening of the first closing device for removing sorted preforms and / or sorted containers from the lock chamber.Preferably, the device is designed to first place the first closing device and the second closing device in the closed position before removing sorted preforms and / or sorted containers from the lock chamber, then to use the suction device to suck out at least a large portion of the sterilizing agent present in the lock chamber by sucking air containing the sterilizing agent out of the lock chamber, then to use the ventilation device to direct sterile air into the lock chamber, and then to place the first closing device in the open position so that the sorted preforms and / or sorted containers can then be removed from the lock chamber. The amount of sterilizing agent that may still be present in the air in the lock chamber during removal and that can escape to the outside is then very small and therefore unproblematic.

[0051] Preferably, the device is designed to first place the first closing device and the second closing device into the closed position after removing sorted preforms and / or sorted containers from the lock chamber, then to direct sterile air into the lock chamber by means of the ventilation device, and then to place the second closing device into the open position so that sorted preforms and / or sorted containers can then be conveyed from the intermediate storage chamber into the lock chamber.

[0052] Preferably, the connection between the suction line of the suction device and the lock chamber is arranged closer to the discharge opening than the connection between the ventilation line of the ventilation device and the lock chamber.

[0053] Preferably, the connection between the ventilation line of the ventilation device and the lock chamber is arranged closer to the lock chamber opening than the connection between the suction line of the suction device and the lock chamber.

[0054] An advantage of such an arrangement is that the sterile air fed into the lock chamber via the ventilation line can be introduced close to the lock chamber opening, thereby advantageously preventing germs from entering the lock chamber through the lock chamber opening. It is particularly preferred that the device comprises a discharge container for receiving rejected preforms and / or rejected containers. The discharge container can preferably be arranged in the receiving area of ​​the lock chamber and can be removed from the receiving area of ​​the lock chamber through the lock chamber opening.

[0055] The discharge container is preferably designed in the form of a box, preferably a cuboid-shaped one, which can be inserted into the receiving area of ​​the lock chamber and removed from the receiving area of ​​the lock chamber. However, the discharge container can also comprise several rollers and / or wheels and / or be designed in the form of a trolley. It is also possible for the discharge container to be designed in the form of a trolley in which a box is arranged.

[0056] The discharge container is preferably open in the upper area so that rejected containers and / or rejected preforms can enter the discharge container from above and can thus be received by the discharge container. The discharge container is preferably removable from the receiving area of ​​the lock chamber. This means in particular that the discharge container can be completely removed from the lock chamber or only partially removed from the lock chamber. The discharge container can also be open in the lower area, in particular bottomless. Such a bottomless discharge container can, for example, be a frame construction with or without side walls or partially with side walls. Multiple discharge containers can also be provided.

[0057] As an alternative to using such a discharge container, a frame and / or a slide can also be provided which can be moved towards the lock chamber opening, so that by moving the frame and / or the slide, rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can be pushed towards the lock chamber opening and out through the lock chamber opening. In this case, a collecting container can be provided below the lock chamber opening, which catches the rejected preforms and / or rejected containers pushed through the lock chamber. One advantage of such a slide and / or frame, which is arranged in the lock chamber, is that the slide and / or the frame never has to be removed from the lock chamber. This can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner that the slide and / or the frame does not absorb any germs from outside the lock chamber.With such a design, continuous decontamination of the slide and / or frame is therefore not absolutely necessary. A further advantage is that the lock chamber opening only needs to be opened for a very short time to remove the rejected preforms and / or rejected containers. This also advantageously prevents the penetration of germs into the system and the escape of sterilizing agent from the system.

[0058] It is particularly preferred that the device comprises a first sensor unit arranged and configured to detect whether the first closing device is in the closed position or in the open position. The first sensor unit can therefore be used to check whether the lock chamber opening is open or closed. Monitoring the position of the first closing device offers the advantage that the second closing device can always be held in the closed position when the lock chamber opening is open. This ensures, in a particularly advantageous manner, that the lock chamber opening and the discharge opening are not open simultaneously.

[0059] It is particularly preferred that the device comprises a second sensor unit which is arranged and designed to detect whether the second closing device is arranged in the closed position or in the open position. By means of the second sensor unit, it can therefore be checked whether the discharge opening is open or closed. Monitoring the position of the second closing device offers the advantage that the first closing device can always be held in the closed position when the discharge opening is open and is only moved into the open position for the removal of rejected preforms and / or rejected containers when the discharge opening has been closed. This advantageously ensures that the lock chamber opening and the discharge opening are not open at the same time.

[0060] It is particularly preferred that the device comprises a control unit, which is preferably connected to the first sensor unit and / or the second sensor unit for signal transmission. The control unit is preferably designed to block a movement of the second closing device from the closed position to the open position when the first closing device is moved from the closed position to the open position and / or the first closing device is arranged in the open position. The control unit is preferably designed to move the second closing device into the closed position immediately before the first

[0061] Closing device is moved from the closed position to the open position.

[0062] Preferably, the control unit is configured to enable adjustment of the first closing device from the closed position to the open position when the second sensor unit determines, through monitoring, that the second closing device is in the closed position. This can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner by automatically ensuring that the lock chamber opening and the discharge opening are not open simultaneously.

[0063] It is particularly preferred that the control unit is designed to block an opening of the lock chamber opening by means of the first closing device if it is determined by monitoring by the second sensor unit that the second closing device is arranged in the open position, and to enable an opening of the lock chamber opening if it is determined by monitoring by the second sensor unit that the second closing device is arranged in the closed position.

[0064] Preferably, the control unit is configured to enable adjustment of the second closing device from the closed position to the open position when the first sensor unit determines, through monitoring, that the first closing device is in the closed position. This can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner by automatically ensuring that the lock chamber opening and the discharge opening are not open simultaneously.

[0065] It is particularly preferred that the device comprises a first fill level sensor unit which is arranged and designed to determine a fill level in the lock chamber, wherein preferably the control unit is designed to detect, by means of the first fill level sensor unit, an exceeding of at least one previously defined fill level limit, preferably at least two previously defined fill level limits, in the lock chamber and, depending on an exceeding of the previously defined fill level limit, to output a fill level signal and / or a warning and / or to place the second closing device in the closed position.

[0066] One advantage of such a first fill level sensor unit is that it can be used to automatically monitor how many rejected preforms and / or rejected containers are present in the lock chamber. For example, if a previously defined fill level limit is exceeded, information can be output to an operator and / or the operator can be prompted to empty the discharge container. It is particularly preferred if, if a previously defined fill level limit is exceeded, the first closing device is opened and the rejected preforms and / or rejected containers located in the lock chamber are removed from the lock chamber. It is particularly preferred if, if a previously defined fill level limit is exceeded, the second closing device is placed in the closed position.This allows the removal and emptying of the discharge container while the intermediate storage area and the lock chamber are separated from each other by the second closing device. During the removal and emptying of the discharge container, rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can then be temporarily stored in the intermediate storage area.

[0067] It is particularly preferred that the device comprises a second fill level sensor unit which is arranged and designed to determine a fill level in the intermediate storage space, wherein preferably the control unit is designed to detect, by means of the second fill level sensor unit, an exceeding of at least one previously defined fill level limit, preferably at least two previously defined fill level limits, in the intermediate storage space and to output a fill level signal and / or a warning depending on an exceeding of the previously defined fill level limit.

[0068] One advantage of such a second fill level sensor unit is that it can be used to automatically monitor how many rejected preforms and / or rejected containers are present in the intermediate storage space. For example, if a first, previously defined fill level limit is exceeded, information can be output to an operator and / or if a second, previously defined fill level limit is exceeded, production can be stopped. It is particularly preferred if, if a previously defined fill level limit is exceeded, the second closing device is opened and the rejected preforms and / or rejected containers located in the intermediate storage space are conveyed by means of the conveyor device from the intermediate storage space through the discharge opening into the lock space.

[0069] It is particularly preferred that the device comprises a ventilation device sensor unit arranged and configured to determine a ventilation air flow in the ventilation device. The ventilation device sensor unit is preferably signal-connected to the control unit, so that the ventilation device can be controlled by the control unit, preferably depending on further information, such as the position of the first and / or second closing device.

[0070] It is particularly preferred that the device comprises a suction device sensor unit arranged and configured to determine a suction air flow in the suction device. The suction device sensor unit is preferably signal-connected to the control unit, so that the suction device can be controlled by the control unit, preferably depending on further information, such as the position of the first and / or second closing device.

[0071] According to a further aspect of the invention, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a method for discharging sorted preforms and / or sorted containers from a clean room, comprising the steps of: providing a device as described here; providing sterile air and an overpressure in the clean room by means of the sterile air supply unit; discharging preforms and / or containers; conveying the discharging preforms and / or the discharging containers by means of the conveying device through the intermediate storage space of the clean room and through the discharge opening into the lock chamber; and preferably setting the second closing device in the closed position and subsequently setting the first closing device from the closed position into the open position; and preferably removing the discharging preforms and / or the discharging containers from the lock chamber through the lock chamber opening.

[0072] Preferably, the method further comprises the step, in particular after removing the sorted preforms and / or the sorted containers: moving the first closing device from the open position into the closed position and then moving the second closing device from the closed position into the open position.

[0073] For the advantages, design variants, and design details of the various aspects of the solutions described here and their respective possible developments, reference is also made to the description of the corresponding features, details, and advantages of the other aspects and their developments. Preferred embodiments are explained by way of example using the accompanying figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In the figures, identical or essentially functionally identical or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals. They show:

[0074] Fig. 1 : a schematic representation of a device for producing

[0075] Containers made from thermally conditioned preforms;

[0076] Fig. 2a: a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a

[0077] Intermediate storage room of a clean room and a lock room connected to the intermediate storage room;

[0078] Fig. 2b: a schematic representation of a removal situation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2a;

[0079] Fig. 3a: a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an intermediate storage space of a clean room and of a lock room connected to the intermediate storage space;

[0080] Fig. 3b: a schematic representation of a removal situation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3a;

[0081] Fig. 4: a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a

[0082] Intermediate storage room of a clean room and a lock room connected to the intermediate storage room;

[0083] Fig. 5: a schematic representation of a method for removing rejected preforms and / or rejected containers from a clean room.

[0084] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 1 for producing containers 82 from thermally conditioned preforms 81. The device 1 comprises a container production and / or container treatment system 30, which in the embodiment shown here is a forming device 30 with several forming stations 31 for forming the preforms 81 into containers 82, and a transfer wheel 60 for transferring the preforms 81 to the forming stations 31 and a removal wheel 70 for removing the containers 82 from the forming stations 31. Via a feed 40a, preforms 81 are transferred to a feed wheel 40, which rotates as indicated by arrow 400. The preforms 81 are transferred by means of the feed wheel 40 to a tempering device 50, which has heating elements 51 for thermally conditioning the preforms 81.The preforms 81 are moved along the heating elements 51 in the direction of rotation indicated by arrow 500 and then transferred to the transfer wheel 60, which rotates in the direction of arrow 600. From the transfer wheel 60, the preforms 81 are transferred to the forming stations 31 of the forming device 30. Containers 82 are formed from the preforms 81 by means of the forming stations 31. After the containers 82 have been formed, they are transferred to a removal wheel 70, which rotates in the direction of arrow 700. The containers 82 are then transported away by means of a discharge 70a.

[0085] The forming stations 31 of the forming device 30 are arranged within a clean room 35. Furthermore, the wheels 60 and 70 are arranged within the clean room 35. Instead of such a clean room 35, several separate clean rooms can also be provided. A sterile air supply unit 35a is fluidly connected to the clean room 35, wherein the sterile air supply unit 35a and the clean room 35 are configured to cooperate in such a way that sterile air is provided in the clean room 35 and an overpressure is generated in the clean room 35.

[0086] A lock chamber 20 is provided for removing rejected preforms and / or rejected containers from the clean room 35. The lock chamber 20 has a receiving area 21 for receiving rejected preforms and / or rejected containers in a removal container 10. The lock chamber 20 also has a lock chamber opening 22 for inserting and removing the rejected preforms and / or assorted containers. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, removal takes place by removing the removal container 10. The removal container 10 serves to receive rejected preforms and / or rejected containers, wherein the removal container 10 can be arranged in the receiving area 21 of the lock chamber 20 and can be removed from the receiving area 21 of the lock chamber 20, as shown by the dashed arrow.The discharge container 10 is shown here in a position removed from the lock chamber 20 and not in the receiving area 21.

[0087] The lock chamber 20 is arranged below the removal wheel 70 in the vertical direction oriented orthogonally to the plane of the drawing. At this position, in particular, rejected containers 82 can be discharged. It is also additionally or alternatively possible to provide a further lock chamber 20b with a further discharge container 10b (both indicated here only by dashed lines), wherein such a further lock chamber 20b can be arranged below the wheel 60 and can be provided in particular for discharging rejected preforms.

[0088] An outlet opening (not shown here) fluidically connects the clean room 35 with the lock room 20. The lock room 20b, which may be present alternatively or additionally, is fluidically connected to the clean room 35 by means of a further outlet opening (not shown here).

[0089] A control unit 90 is connected in terms of signal technology by means of a control line 90a to the first closing device 6, to a further closing device and to any sensor units.

[0090] In the embodiment shown here, the first closing device 6 is designed as a lock chamber door for closing the lock chamber opening 22.

[0091] A ventilation device 8 is provided, which is connected to the lock chamber 20 by means of a ventilation line 8a connected to the lock chamber 20. And a suction device 9 is provided, which is connected to the lock chamber (20) by means of a suction line 9a of the suction device 9, which is connected to the lock chamber 20.

[0092] Fig. 2a shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an intermediate storage space 5 of a clean room 35 and of a lock chamber 20 connected to the intermediate storage space. Containers 82 are removed from a forming device (not shown here) by means of a removal wheel 70, on which gripping elements 71 for gripping the containers 82 are arranged, and are moved by means of the removal wheel 70, which rotates about the axis 700. By means of a sorting device 77, which has an ejection device 77a, containers 82 to be sorted are ejected from the removal wheel 70. Both the removal wheel 70 and the sorting device 77 are arranged within the clean room 35. A sterile air supply unit 35a is provided. The clean room 35 is fluidly connected to the sterile air supply unit 35a.The sterile air supply unit 35a and the clean room 35 are designed to cooperate in such a way that sterile air is provided in the clean room 35 and an overpressure is generated in the clean room 35.

[0093] The clean room 35 has an intermediate storage space 5, which is arranged below the remaining space of the clean room 35 with respect to the vertical direction V (vertical direction V and horizontal direction H are shown at the top left). The intermediate storage space 5 is part of the clean room 35 and is not separate from the clean room 35. The intermediate storage space 5 comprises a conveyor device 5a, which is arranged and designed to convey sorted containers 82 from the clean room 35 towards the lock room 20. The conveyor device 5a is designed as a movable conveyor device for moving sorted preforms and / or sorted containers towards the lock room 20. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the conveyor device 5a is designed as a circulating conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belt is arranged on the floor in the intermediate storage space 5 and is aligned horizontally.A decontamination device 5b is provided, by means of which the conveyor device 5a can be continuously decontaminated by applying a chemical decontaminating substance and / or by applying radiation, for example, UV radiation. A fill level in the intermediate storage space 5 can be determined by means of a fill level sensor unit 5f.

[0094] The lock chamber 20 has a receiving area 21 for receiving rejected preforms and / or rejected containers. The lock chamber 20 has a lock chamber opening 22 for removing rejected preforms and / or rejected containers from the lock chamber. The lock chamber opening 22 can be closed by a first closing device 6. The first closing device 6 is adjustable between an open position, in which rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can be moved from the lock chamber 20 through the lock chamber opening 22 out of the lock chamber 20, and a closed position, in which no rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can be moved from the lock chamber 20 through the lock chamber opening 22 out of the lock chamber 20. In the embodiment shown here, removal takes place by removing the discharge container 10.The discharge container 10 serves to receive rejected preforms and / or rejected containers. The discharge container 10 can be arranged in the receiving area 21 of the lock chamber 20 and can be removed from the receiving area 21 of the lock chamber 20. The discharge container 10 is shown here in a position inserted in the lock chamber 20 in the receiving area 21. A fill level in the lock chamber 20 can be determined by means of a fill level sensor unit 20f.

[0095] A discharge opening 25 is provided, which fluidically connects the intermediate storage space 5 to the lock space 20. The discharge opening 25 can be closed by means of a second closing device 7. The second closing device 7 can be adjusted between an open position, in which rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can be moved from the intermediate storage space 5 through the discharge opening 25 into the lock space 20, and a closed position, in which no rejected preforms and / or rejected containers can be moved from the intermediate storage space 5 through the discharge opening 25 into the lock space 20.

[0096] In the embodiment shown here, the discharge opening 25 extends in a horizontally oriented plane. In the embodiment shown here, the second closing device 7 is horizontally displaceable for closing and opening the discharge opening 25. However, another configuration is also possible, as shown in Fig. 2a as an alternative option: Alternatively, the discharge opening can also be arranged as a vertically oriented discharge opening 25al. In this case, the second closing device 7al can then also be arranged vertically and be vertically displaceable.

[0097] A ventilation device 8 is connected to the lock chamber 20 by means of a ventilation line 8a of the ventilation device 8, which is connected to the lock chamber 20. The ventilation device 8 is designed to convey sterile air into the lock chamber 20 via the ventilation line 8a. A ventilation air flow in the ventilation device 8 can be determined by means of a ventilation device sensor unit 8b. In addition, a suction device 9 is connected to the lock chamber 20 by means of a suction line 9a of the suction device 9, which is connected to the lock chamber 20. The suction device 9 is designed to suction sterile air from the lock chamber 20 via the suction line 9a. A suction air flow in the suction device 9 can be determined by means of a suction device sensor unit 9b.

[0098] A control unit 90 is signal-connected to a first sensor unit 6a and a second sensor unit 7a. The first sensor unit 6a is arranged and designed to detect whether the first closing device 6 is in the closed position or in the open position. The first sensor unit 6a can therefore be used to check whether the lock chamber opening 22 is open or closed. The second sensor unit 7a is arranged and designed to detect whether the second closing device 7 is in the closed position or in the open position. The second sensor unit 7a can therefore be used to check whether the discharge opening 25 is open or closed. The control unit 90 can then block a change of the second closing position 7 from the closed position to the open position when the first closing device 6 is in the open position.The control unit 90 can also enable an adjustment of the first closing device 6 from the closed position to the open position if it is determined by monitoring by the second sensor unit 7a that the second closing device 7 is arranged in the closed position.

[0099] Fig. 2b shows a schematic representation of a removal situation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2a. In the arrangement shown here, the second closing device 7 is arranged in the closed position, so that the discharge opening 25 is closed. The first closing device 6 is arranged in the open position, so that the lock chamber opening 22 is open. This allows the discharge container 10, with the sorted containers located therein, to be removed from the lock chamber 20 through the lock chamber opening 22.

[0100] Fig. 3a shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an intermediate storage space of a clean room and of a lock room connected to the intermediate storage space. The structure of this second embodiment corresponds largely to the structure of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, for an explanation of this embodiment, reference is made to the comments on Fig. 2a. One difference between the second embodiment shown here in Fig. 3a and the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2a, however, lies in the design of the conveyor device. In the embodiment shown here, the conveyor device is designed differently. The conveyor device 5a is designed as a floor surface 5c that is inclined relative to the horizontal direction H and runs vertically downwards in the direction of the lock room 20. The inclined floor surface 5c is designed to slope downwards in the direction of the lock room 20.By means of this inclined floor surface 5c, it can be achieved that rejected preforms and / or rejected containers entering the intermediate storage space move towards the lock chamber 20 due to gravity. The floor surface 5c is inclined relative to the horizontal direction H by the angle a.

[0101] Fig. 3b shows a schematic representation of a removal situation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3a. In the arrangement shown here, the second closing device 7 is arranged in the closed position, so that the discharge opening 25 is closed. The first closing device 6 is arranged in the open position, so that the lock chamber opening 22 is open. This allows the discharge container 10, with the sorted containers located therein, to be removed from the lock chamber 20 through the lock chamber opening 22 in the direction of the arrow shown.

[0102] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a third embodiment of an intermediate storage space of a clean room and of a lock chamber connected to the intermediate storage space. Fig. 4 shows a removal situation. The third embodiment essentially corresponds to the second embodiment described in connection with Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, so that reference is made to the above statements regarding the second embodiment. However, in the third embodiment, in contrast to the second embodiment, a slide 99 is provided in the lock chamber 20, which can be moved in the direction of the lock chamber opening 22, so that by moving the slide 99, sorted preforms and / or sorted containers can be pushed in the direction of the lock chamber opening 22 and through the lock chamber opening 22 to the outside.A collecting container 10al is provided below the lock chamber opening 22, which collects the sorted preforms and / or sorted containers pushed through the lock chamber 20.

[0103] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a method 100 for removing rejected preforms and / or rejected containers from a clean room. The method comprises the following steps: In a step 110, providing a device as described here. In a step 120, providing sterile air and an overpressure in the clean room 35 by means of the sterile air supply unit 35a. In a step 130, preforms and / or containers are removed. In a step 140, conveying the removed preforms and / or the removed containers by means of the conveyor device 5a through the intermediate storage space 5 of the clean room 35 and through the removal opening 25 into the lock chamber 20. In a step 150, setting the second closing device 7 in the closed position and subsequently setting the first closing device 6 from the closed position into the open position.In a step 160, removing the sorted preforms and / or the sorted containers from the lock chamber 20 through the lock chamber opening 22. In a step 170, in particular after removing the sorted preforms and / or the sorted containers, moving the first closing device 6 from the open position to the closed position and then moving the second closing device 7 from the closed position to the open position.

[0104] 1 device

[0105] 5 Intermediate storage space

[0106] 5a Conveyor system

[0107] 5b Decontamination facility

[0108] 5c Floor area

[0109] 5f Level sensor unit

[0110] 6 first closing device

[0111] 6a first sensor unit

[0112] 7, 7al second closing device

[0113] 7a second sensor unit

[0114] 8 Ventilation device

[0115] 8a Ventilation line

[0116] 8b Ventilation device sensor unit

[0117] 9 Suction device

[0118] 9a Suction line

[0119] 9b Suction device sensor unit

[0120] 10, 10b Discharge container

[0121] 10al collection container

[0122] 20, 20b Lock room

[0123] 20f Level sensor unit

[0124] 21 Recording area

[0125] 22 Lock room opening

[0126] 25, 25al discharge opening

[0127] 30 container treatment plant

[0128] 31 Forming station

[0129] 35 cleanroom

[0130] 35a Sterile air supply unit 40 Feed wheel

[0131] 40a feeder

[0132] 50 Tempering device

[0133] 51 heating elements

[0134] 60 transfer wheel

[0135] 70 removal wheel

[0136] 70a Transfer

[0137] 71 gripping elements

[0138] 77 Sorting device

[0139] 77a Ejection device

[0140] 81 preforms

[0141] 82 containers

[0142] 90 Control unit

[0143] 90a control cable

[0144] 99 sliders

[0145] 400 Direction of rotation of the feed wheel

[0146] 500 Direction of rotation of the tempering device

[0147] 600 Direction of rotation of the transfer device

[0148] 700 Direction of rotation of the removal wheel

[0149] 100 procedures

[0150] 110-170 process steps

[0151] H horizontal direction

[0152] V vertical direction

Claims

Claims 1. Device (1) for producing containers (82) from thermally conditioned preforms (81), the device comprising a container production and / or container treatment system (30), in particular a forming device (30) with several forming stations (31) for forming the preforms (81) into containers (82), a clean room (35), wherein at least a part of the container production and / or container treatment system (30) is arranged within the clean room (35), wherein in particular the forming stations (31) of the forming device (30) are arranged within the clean room (35), a sterile air supply unit (35a), wherein the clean room (35) is fluidically connectable to the sterile air supply unit (35a), wherein the sterile air supply unit (35a) and the clean room (35) are designed to cooperate in such a way that sterile air is provided in the clean room (35) and an overpressure in the clean room (35) is generated,a lock chamber (20) for discharging sorted preforms (81) and / or sorted containers (82) from the clean room (35), wherein the lock chamber (20) has a receiving area (21) for receiving sorted preforms (81) and / or sorted containers (82), and wherein the lock chamber (20) has a lock chamber opening (22) for removing sorted preforms (81) and / or sorted containers (82) from the lock chamber (20), wherein the lock chamber opening (22) is closable by means of a first closing device (6), wherein the first closing device (6) can be switched between an open position, in which sorted preforms (81) and / or sorted containers (82) are discharged from the lock chamber (20) through the lock chamber opening (22) from the lock chamber (20) are movable, and a closed position,in which no sorted preforms (81) and / or sorted containers (82) can be moved from the lock chamber (20) through the lock chamber opening (22) out of the lock chamber (20), is adjustable, characterized by an intermediate storage space (5) of the clean room (35), wherein the intermediate storage space (5) comprises a conveyor device (5a) which is arranged and designed to convey sorted preforms (81) and / or sorted containers (82) from the clean room (35) in the direction of the lock room (20), and a discharge opening (25) which fluidically connects the intermediate storage space (5) to the lock room (20) and which can be closed by means of a second closing device (7), wherein the second closing device (7) can be moved between an open position in which sorted preforms (81) and / or sorted containers (82) can be moved from the intermediate storage space (5) through the discharge opening (25) into the lock room (20), and a closed position in which no sorted preforms and / or sorted containers can be moved from the intermediate storage space (5) through the discharge opening (25) are movable into the lock chamber (20), is adjustable.

2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the conveyor device (5a) is designed as a movable conveyor device for moving sorted preforms (81) and / or sorted containers (82) in the direction of the lock chamber (20), wherein preferably the conveyor device (5a) is designed as a circulating conveyor belt and / or comprises a slide element.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device (5a) is arranged on the bottom side in the intermediate storage space (5).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, the device comprising: a decontamination device (5b) which is arranged and designed to decontaminate the conveying device (5a), preferably by applying a chemical decontaminating substance and / or by applying radiation, in particular UV radiation, at least in sections.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor device (5a) has a bottom surface (5c) which runs obliquely relative to the horizontal direction (H) and obliquely vertically downwards in the direction of the lock chamber (20), wherein preferably the bottom surface (5c) is arranged inclined relative to the horizontal direction (H) by at least 10°, particularly preferably at least 20°, and in particular at least 25°, and / or the bottom surface (5c) is arranged inclined relative to the horizontal direction (H) by at most 80°, particularly preferably at most 70°, and in particular at most 60°.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second closing device (7) is arranged in the open position at least temporarily during normal production operation and at least temporarily while the first closing device (6) is arranged in the closed position.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock chamber (20) is arranged at least partially, preferably completely, below the intermediate storage chamber (5) of the clean room (35) with respect to the vertical direction (V).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a ventilation device (8), in particular by means of a ventilation line (8a) of the ventilation device (8) connected to the lock chamber (20), is connected to the lock chamber (20), and / or wherein a suction device (9), in particular by means of a suction line (9a) of the suction device (9) connected to the lock chamber (20), is connected to the lock chamber (20), wherein preferably the connection between the suction line (9a) of the suction device (9) and the lock chamber (20) is closer to the discharge opening (25) is arranged as the connection between the ventilation line (8a) of the ventilation device (8) and the lock chamber (20) and / or the connection between the ventilation line (8a) of the ventilation device (8) and the lock chamber (20) is arranged closer to the lock chamber opening (22) than the connection between the suction line (9a) of the suction device (9) and the lock chamber (20).

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, the device comprising: a discharge container (10) for receiving sorted preforms and / or sorted containers, wherein the discharge container (10) can preferably be arranged in the receiving area (21) of the lock chamber (20) and can be removed from the receiving area (21) of the lock chamber (20).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, the device comprising: a first sensor unit (6a) which is arranged and designed to detect whether the first closing device (6) is arranged in the closed position or in the open position, and / or a second sensor unit (7a) which is arranged and designed to detect whether the second closing device (7) is arranged in the closed position or in the open position.

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a control unit (90) which is preferably connected to the first sensor unit (6a) and the second sensor unit (7a) for signaling purposes, wherein the control unit (90) is designed to block an adjustment of the second closing device (7) from the closed position to the open position when the first closing device (6) is adjusted from the closed position to the open position and / or the first closing device (6) is arranged in the open position, and / or to set the second closing device (7) in the closed position immediately before the first closing device (6) is moved from the closed position to the open position.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (90) is designed to block opening of the lock chamber opening (22) by means of the first closing device (6) if it is determined by monitoring by the second sensor unit (7a) that the second closing device (7) is arranged in the open position, and to enable opening of the lock chamber opening (22) if it is determined by monitoring by the second sensor unit (7a) that the second closing device (7) is arranged in the closed position.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, the device comprising: a first fill level sensor unit (20f) which is arranged and designed to determine a fill level in the lock chamber (20), wherein preferably the control unit (90) is designed to detect, by means of the first fill level sensor unit (20f), an exceeding of at least one previously defined fill level limit, preferably at least two previously defined fill level limits, in the lock chamber (20) and, depending on an exceeding of the previously defined fill level limit, to output a fill level signal and / or a warning and / or to set the second closing device in the closed position, and / or a second fill level sensor unit (5f) which is arranged and designed to determine a fill level in the intermediate storage chamber (5), wherein preferably the control unit (90) is designed,to detect by means of the second level sensor unit (5f) an exceeding of at least one previously defined level limit, preferably at least two previously defined level limits, in the intermediate storage space (5) and to output a level signal and / or a warning depending on an exceeding of the previously defined level limit.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, the device comprising: a ventilation device sensor unit (8b) arranged and designed to determine a ventilation air flow in the ventilation device (8), and / or a suction device sensor unit (9b) arranged and designed to determine a suction air flow in the suction device (9).

15. A method (100) for discharging rejected preforms (81) and / or rejected containers (82) from a clean room (35), comprising the steps: Providing (1 10) a device according to one of the preceding claims; Providing (120) sterile air and an overpressure in the clean room (35) by means of the sterile air supply unit (35a); Sorting (130) of preforms (81) and / or containers (82); Conveying (140) the sorted preforms (81) and / or the sorted containers (82) by means of the conveying device (5a) through the intermediate storage space (5) of the clean room (35) and through the discharge opening (25) into the lock chamber (20); and preferably setting (150) the second closing device (7) into the closed position and subsequently setting the first closing device (6) from the closed position into the open position; and preferably removing (160) the sorted preforms (81) and / or the sorted containers (82) from the lock chamber (20) through the lock chamber opening (22).

Images