Heating device for thermally conditioning preforms for containers, and system

Abstract

The invention relates to a heating device (16) for thermally conditioning preforms (28) for containers, the heating device comprising: at least one wall (52), which delimits at least one heating channel (26) for preforms (28); at least one retaining element (42), which is fastened to the wall (52); and at least one reflector (32, 34, 36), wherein the retaining element (42) fastens the reflector (32, 34, 36) to the wall (52) and the reflector (32, 34, 36) has at least one reflector portion (38) and at least one connecting portion (40), wherein the connecting portion (40) extends away from the reflector portion (38); characterised in that the connecting portion (40) has at least one flat portion (64) which abuts the wall (52). The heating device (16) can be produced and assembled with reduced effort.

Description

[0001] Heating device for thermal conditioning of preforms for containers and systems

[0002] The invention relates to a heating device for thermally conditioning preforms for containers and systems.

[0003] When forming containers from thermoplastic preforms, the preforms are first thermally conditioned before being formed into containers, for example, using blow molds. This thermal conditioning takes place in a heating device. The preforms are conveyed along a transport path, at least partially, through a heating channel.

[0004] A heating channel can comprise at least one heating device, and may also include several heating devices arranged one behind the other and connected in the direction of transport. A heating device can have two opposing side walls, a base, and a cover. Other configurations with only one side wall and / or without a base and / or without a cover are also conceivable. At least one heating device is provided on each side wall, which may be oriented horizontally or vertically. Infrared radiators are commonly used as heating devices.

[0005] To increase heating efficiency and optimize heat distribution on the preforms, it is known from the prior art to use reflectors. The reflectors can be made of materials that directly reflect radiation, such as aluminum, and / or of ceramic materials that first absorb the radiation and then emit it as thermal radiation. Ceramic components, in particular, can exhibit relatively large tolerances due to the manufacturing process.

[0006] From WO 2019 / 048560 A2 a device is known in which ceramic reflectors have a connection area in the form of a dovetail and are thus held by means of a spring steel clip and are attached to the heating module.

[0007] Furthermore, WO 2015 / 193591 A1 discloses the possibility of equipping a reflector with a groove into which a curved part of a clip can engage. The curved part of the clip then rests in line contact with a flat surface of the groove.

[0008] Furthermore, the brace has a comparatively complex shape. Therefore, its manufacture is also relatively complex.

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a heating device that can be manufactured and assembled with reduced effort.

[0010] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0011] In a heating device for thermally conditioning preforms for containers, comprising at least one wall that delimits at least one heating channel for preforms, at least one retaining element that is attached to the wall, and at least one reflector, wherein the retaining element attaches the reflector to the wall and the reflector has at least one reflector section and at least one connecting section, wherein the connecting section extends away from the reflector section, it is provided according to the invention that the connecting section has at least one surface section that abuts the wall.

[0012] The device provides a reflector that is easily mounted on the heating device, and the mounting element can have a simple shape. The reflector comprises a reflector section and a connecting section. The reflector section can be designed to radiate heat into an area where a preform is to be thermally conditioned. The connecting section can be positioned between the reflector section and the wall when the reflector is wall-mounted. The reflector can be attached to the wall via the connecting section and the mounting element. Since the connecting section has at least one surface area that rests against the wall of the heating device, it is not necessary for the mounting element to encompass the connecting section in order to hold the reflector to the wall.Rather, the retaining element can be designed in such a way that the connecting section can be pressed against the wall along with the surface section. By avoiding the need for gripping, the retaining element can have a less complex shape, thus reducing the effort required to manufacture it.

[0013] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the connecting section between the surface section and the reflector section can have at least one convexly shaped contact area for connecting to the holding element.

[0014] The convex contact area can be curved, for example, in the shape of a partial cylinder and / or a partial sphere. If the contact area is shaped like a partial cylinder, line contact can occur between a flat section of the retaining element and the contact area of ​​the connecting section when the retaining element holds the reflector against the wall. If the contact area is shaped like a partial sphere, point contact can occur between a flat section of the retaining element and the contact area of ​​the connecting section when the reflector is mounted to the retaining element. The convex contact area can provide a contact surface that can compensate for tolerances. This can, for example, compensate for production-related tolerances of the reflector or...The connection section can be compensated for, so that the positioning of the reflector on the wall can be improved.

[0015] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the reflector, between the surface section and the reflector section, could further include a receptacle for at least one free end section of the retaining element. The retaining element can then be inserted into the receptacle and secure the connecting section to the wall. This fastening can be achieved by positive locking and / or a simple interlock. The surface section of the connecting section can be pressed against the wall by the retaining element. In this way, a secure fastening of the reflector to the wall can be achieved with minimal effort.

[0016] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the connecting section may have at least one web that connects the connecting section to the reflector section.

[0017] The bridge can be designed as a projection extending from the reflector section to the connecting section. Perpendicular to the direction extending from the reflector section to the connecting section, the bridge can be narrower than the reflector section and / or the connecting section. This allows for material savings during the manufacturing of the reflector, resulting in a lighter reflector. For example, a weight reduction of at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, and more preferably at least 25% can be achieved compared to the prior art. A maximum weight reduction can, for example, be between 30% and 60%. This can further reduce manufacturing costs.

[0018] Furthermore, this can reduce the thermal inertia or heat capacity of the heating device. This improves the start-up behavior of the heating device and, consequently, of the system in which the heating device is installed. Overall, this can also optimize machine availability.

[0019] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the reflector may have at least two connecting sections, which are arranged at two mutually pointing end regions of the reflector.

[0020] The reflector can thus rest against the wall at two surface sections. These surface sections can be spaced apart from each other, ensuring stable mounting of the reflector to the wall. Furthermore, the mounting element can hold the reflector at least at two spaced-apart connecting sections.

[0021] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that at least the reflector section could have a glaze.

[0022] The glaze can improve the reflection properties, heat absorption properties and / or heat emission properties of a ceramic.

[0023] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the heating device can have at least two coupled reflectors, wherein a coupling projection of a first reflector can be coupled to a coupling recess of a second reflector.

[0024] This allows, for example, the production of smaller reflectors compared to the current state of the art, which can be modularly combined with other reflectors to create larger reflectors. This increases flexibility in the manufacturing and planning of heating devices. Furthermore, by coupling multiple reflectors, standardized reflectors can be provided for different sizes of heating devices. This, in turn, reduces costs.

[0025] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the retaining element can have at least one angled free end section which has at least one surface section with line contact to the connecting section, wherein the end section is preferably oriented away from the wall.

[0026] The angled free end section can be positioned at an angle other than 180°. Specifically, only the free end section of the retaining element can be angled, while the retaining element itself can be flat. For each connecting section held by the retaining element, only one bending operation is then required. This further simplifies the manufacturing of the heating device, resulting in further cost reductions.

[0027] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that at least one edge section of the retaining element can be arranged in a recess of the reflector without contact with the reflector.

[0028] This prevents contact between the edge section of the retaining element and the reflector. In particular, if the edge section has a sharp edge, abrasion or damage from the sharp edge can be avoided, especially with a reflector made of ceramic, for example. The edge section can be positioned, for instance, at the free end of the retaining element. This also allows the free end of the retaining element to be positioned, at least within the recess.

[0029] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the retaining element may have at least one spring section, which is preferably designed as a leaf spring.

[0030] The spring element increases the flexibility of the relative arrangement between the connecting section and the mounting element during assembly. This allows for improved compensation of tolerances, particularly of the reflector. The mounting of the reflector to the wall can thus be simplified and made more secure.

[0031] The invention further relates to a system for manufacturing and / or treating containers, comprising at least one container manufacturing machine, at least one heating device according to the preceding description, and at least one transport path for preforms and / or containers, wherein the transport path extends between the container manufacturing machine and the heating device. Advantages, effects, and further developments of the system will become apparent from the advantages, effects, and further developments of the heating device described above. Therefore, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding description in this respect.

[0032] The invention further relates to a reflector for a heating device for thermally conditioning preforms for containers, comprising at least one reflector section and at least one connecting section, wherein the connecting section extends away from the reflector section, wherein according to the invention it is provided that the connecting section has at least one surface section for contact with a wall of the heating device when the reflector is attached to the wall with a retaining element.

[0033] The heating device can be designed partially or completely according to the description above.

[0034] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the connecting section between the surface section and the reflector section has at least one convexly shaped contact area for connecting to the retaining element, and / or that the reflector between the surface section and the reflector section further has a receptacle for at least one free end section of the retaining element, and / or that the connecting section has at least one web that connects the connecting section to the reflector section, and / or that the reflector has at least two connecting sections that are arranged at two mutually pointing end regions of the reflector, and / or that at least the reflector section has a glaze.

[0035] The advantages, effects, and further developments of the reflector result from the advantages, effects, and further developments of the heating device and system described above. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding description in this respect. The invention further relates to a system comprising a reflector according to the preceding description and a retaining element attachable to a wall of a heating device for securing the reflector to the wall such that the surface section rests against the wall.

[0036] The heating device can be designed partially or completely according to the description above.

[0037] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the retaining element has at least one angled free end section which has at least one surface section with line contact to the connecting section, wherein the end section is preferably oriented away from the wall, and / or that at least one edge section of the retaining element is arranged in a recess of the reflector without contact to the reflector, and / or that the retaining element has at least one spring section which is preferably designed as a leaf spring.

[0038] The advantages, effects, and further developments of the system result from the advantages, effects, and further developments of the reflector, heating device, and system described above. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding description in this regard.

[0039] The invention is described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows:

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the plant;

[0041] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the heating device; and

[0042] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of reflectors. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a plant 10 for manufacturing and / or treating containers.

[0043] Plant 10 comprises at least one container manufacturing machine 20 and at least one heating device 16. A transport path 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, along which preforms and / or containers can be transported, connects the heating device 16 to the container manufacturing machine 20.

[0044] The transport path 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 can have transport devices, for example transport wheels 14, 18, 22, with which the preforms or containers can be transported.

[0045] Furthermore, a feeding device 12 can be arranged in the transport path 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, for example, with which a preform stream can be fed to a transport wheel 14. The transport wheel 14 can, for example, separate the preforms from the preform stream and feed them to the heating device 16.

[0046] The heating device 16 is shown schematically in Figure 2. The heating device 16 can have at least one heating module 24 through which a heating channel 26 can extend. Preforms 28 can be guided through the heating channel 26 and thermally conditioned in the heating channel 26. Only a section of a preform 28 can project into the heating channel 26.

[0047] The heating device 26 can be bounded by at least one wall 52. The wall 52 can extend in a transport direction of the preforms 28. Furthermore, the heating device 26 can have at least one heating element 30, which can be, for example, a radiant heating element, in particular an infrared radiator.

[0048] At least one reflector 32, 34, 36 can be arranged on at least one of the walls 52. Infrared radiation can be reflected by the reflector 32, 34, 36 to achieve homogeneous thermal conditioning of the preforms in the heating channel 26. The reflector 32, 34, 36 can either reflect infrared radiation directly or absorb it first. If the reflector 32, 34, 36 absorbs the infrared radiation, it can heat up and, as a result of this heating, emit infrared radiation again. In particular, a reflector 32, 34, 36 made of a ceramic material can initially absorb the infrared radiation and then emit it when heated.

[0049] Figure 3 shows a reflector 36. The following explanations for reflector 36 can be applied analogously to reflectors 32 and 34.

[0050] The reflector 36 can have a reflector section 38 which can be directed into the heating channel 26. Infrared radiation can be emitted or reflected from the reflector section 38 into the heating channel 26.

[0051] Furthermore, the reflector 36 can have at least one connecting section 40. In this embodiment, the connecting section 40 is designed in the form of a foot, which can be connected to the reflector section 38 via a web 44.

[0052] The connecting section 40 has at least one surface section 64 that rests against the wall 52 when the reflector 36 is mounted on the wall 52. Mounting can be effected via a retaining element 42, which in this embodiment can be in the form of a clip. The retaining element 42 can be connected to the wall 52 via a fastening element 60.

[0053] The retaining element 42 can be designed such that it has at least one end section 48 which rests against the connecting section 40 and can press the connecting section 40 against the wall 52. The surface section 64 can also be pressed against the wall 52.

[0054] The free end section 48 can be resiliently formed via a spring section 62 of the retaining element 42. The free end section 48 can bear against a contact area 46 of the connecting section 40, which may be convex. The convexly formed contact area 46 is thus curved and, if the free end section 48 is flat, can only have line contact with the end section 48. Furthermore, the convex design of the contact area 46 can compensate for manufacturing tolerances of the connecting section 40 or the reflector 36.

[0055] The contact area 46 can also be convexly curved in several directions, for example in the form of a partial sphere. In this case, the contact between the contact area 46 and the end section 48 can be point-like. The term "point-like" can refer, for example, to an area with a surface area in the lower millimeter range. 2 -area or less understood.

[0056] The free end section 48 can have at least one edge section 50, which may be sharp-edged. The edge section 50 of the free end section 48 can be arranged in a recess 54 of the reflector 36. The recess 54 can be arranged between the connecting section 40 and the reflector section 38. Accordingly, the free end section 48 can also be arranged between the connecting section 40 and the reflector section 38.

[0057] In this embodiment, the reflector 36 can be mounted by sliding it laterally onto the retaining element 42, essentially parallel to the wall 52. The end sections 48 can then, for example, be bent resiliently away from the wall 52 and pre-tensioned by the connecting section 40.

[0058] In this embodiment, the reflector 36 can have at least two connecting sections 40, each of which can be connected to the reflector section 38 via its own web 44. Similarly, the retaining element 42 can have two free end sections 48, each of which can be configured to hold one of the connecting sections 40. The two free end sections 48 can be arranged on two opposite sides of the retaining element 42 and point in opposite directions.

[0059] Alternatively, a separate retaining element 42 can be provided for each connecting section 40 of the reflector 36.

[0060] The connecting sections 40 can be arranged at a distance from one another. For example, one connecting section 40 can be arranged at one end of the reflector section 38 and another connecting section 40 at another, in particular opposite, end of the reflector section 38.

[0061] A free space may extend between the connecting sections 40, which may be several times the extent of a connecting section 40 and / or a bridge 44.

[0062] Compared to state-of-the-art reflectors, this can provide material savings and therefore weight savings.

[0063] At least the reflector section 38 can have a glaze that can modify, in particular increase, the reflection or absorption properties of the reflector section 38. For example, a glaze can be applied that darkens the color of the reflector section 38.

[0064] This can increase the absorption capacity for infrared radiation of the reflector section 38.

[0065] The reflector 36 can be configured to be coupled with other reflectors, which may be of identical construction. For this purpose, the reflector 36 can have at least one coupling projection 58 that can be coupled to a coupling recess 56 of a reflector to be coupled. The coupling projection 58 can, for example, be arranged in the coupling recess 56 of the other reflector. The coupling projection 58 and / or the coupling recess 56 can, for example, be arranged on the reflector section 38. Furthermore, the coupling projection 58 and the coupling recess 56 can be arranged on opposite end faces of the reflector 36.

[0066] This allows several reflectors 36 to be coupled together. The coupling projection 58, which can at least partially engage in the coupling recess 56, provides an overlap between the coupled reflectors, enabling homogeneous reflection and / or absorption or emission of infrared radiation.

[0067] The example described above in no way limits the invention. Rather, the invention can be modified in numerous ways. All features of the invention described above can be essential to the invention, either individually or in combination.

[0068] Reference symbol list

[0069] 10 Annex

[0070] 11 Transport route

[0071] 12 Feeding device

[0072] 13 Transport route

[0073] 14 Transport bike

[0074] 15 Transport route

[0075] 16 Heating device

[0076] 17 Transport route

[0077] 18" cargo bike

[0078] 19 Transport route

[0079] 20 Container manufacturing machine

[0080] 21 Transport route

[0081] 22 Transport wheel

[0082] 24 Heating module

[0083] 26 Heating channel

[0084] 28 preform

[0085] 30 heating elements

[0086] 32 Reflector

[0087] 34 Reflector

[0088] 36 Reflector

[0089] 38 Reflector section

[0090] 40 Connecting section

[0091] 42 Holding element

[0092] 44 Bridge

[0093] 46 Contact area

[0094] 48 free end section

[0095] 50 edge section

[0096] 52 Wall

[0097] 54th entry

[0098] 56 Coupling recess

[0099] 58 Coupling projection Fastening element Spring section Surface section

Claims

Claims 1. Heating device (16) for thermally conditioning preforms (28) for containers, comprising at least one wall (52) that delimits at least one heating channel (26) for preforms (28), at least one retaining element (42) that is attached to the wall (52), and at least one reflector (32, 34, 36), wherein the retaining element (42) attaches the reflector (32, 34, 36) to the wall (52), and the reflector (32, 34, 36) has at least one reflector section (38) and at least one connecting section (40), wherein the connecting section (40) extends away from the reflector section (38), characterized in that the connecting section (40) has at least one surface section (64) that abuts the wall (52).

2. Heating device (16) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting section (40) between the surface section (64) and the reflector section (38) has at least one convexly shaped contact area (46) for connecting to the retaining element (42).

3. Heating device (16) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reflector (32, 34, 36) further has a receptacle (54) for at least one free end section (48) of the retaining element (42) between the surface section (64) and the reflector section (38).

4. Heating device (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting section (40) has at least one web (44) which connects the connecting section (40) to the reflector section (38).

5. Heating device (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reflector (32, 34, 36) has at least two connecting sections (40) which are arranged at two mutually pointing end regions of the reflector (32, 34, 36).

6. Heating device (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the reflector section (38) has a glaze.

7. Heating device (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating device (16) has at least two coupled reflectors (32, 34, 36), wherein a coupling projection (58) of a first reflector (32, 34, 36) is coupled to a coupling recess (56) of a second reflector (32, 34, 36).

8. Heating device (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining element (42) has at least one angled free end section (48) which has at least one surface section (64) with line contact to the connecting section (40), wherein the end section (48) is preferably oriented away from the wall (52).

9. Heating device (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one edge section (50) of the retaining element (42) is arranged in a recess of the reflector (32, 34, 36) without contact with the reflector (32, 34, 36).

10. Heating device (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining element (42) has at least one spring section (62), which is preferably designed as a leaf spring.

11. Plant (10) for manufacturing and / or treating containers, comprising at least one container manufacturing machine (20), at least one heating device (16) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one transport path (11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 ) for preforms (28) and / or containers, wherein the transport path (11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 ) extends between the container manufacturing machine (20) and the heating device (16).

12. Reflector (32, 34, 36) for a heating device (16) for thermally conditioning preforms (28) for containers, comprising at least one reflector section (38) and at least one connecting section (40), wherein the connecting section (40) extends away from the reflector section (38), characterized in that the connecting section (40) has at least one surface section (64) for contacting a wall (52) of the heating device (16) when the reflector (32, 34, 36) is attached to the wall (52) with a retaining element (42).

13. Reflector (32, 34, 36) according to claim 12, characterized in that the connecting section (40) between the surface section (64) and the reflector section (38) has at least one convexly shaped contact area (46) for connecting to the retaining element (42) and / or that the reflector (32, 34, 36) further has a receptacle (54) between the surface section (64) and the reflector section (38) for at least one free end section (48) of the retaining element (42), and / or that the connecting section (40) has at least one web (44) that connects the connecting section (40) to the reflector section (38), and / or that the reflector (32, 34, 36) has at least two connecting sections (40) that are arranged at two mutually projecting end regions of the reflector (32, 34, 36), and / or that at least the reflector section (38) has a glaze.

14. System comprising a reflector (32, 34, 36) according to claim 12 or 13 and a retaining element (42) attachable to a wall (52) of a heating device (16) for attaching the reflector (32, 34, 36) to the wall (52) such that the surface section (64) rests against the wall (52).

15. System according to claim 14, characterized in that the retaining element (42) has at least one angled free end section (48) which has at least one surface section (64) with line contact to the connecting section (40), wherein the end section (48) is preferably oriented away from the wall (52), and / or that at least one edge section (50) of the retaining element (42) is in a recess of the reflector (32, 34, 36) is arranged without contact to the reflector (32, 34, 36), and / or that the retaining element (42) has at least one spring section (62), which is preferably designed as a leaf spring.

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