APPARATUS FOR FORMING PLASTIC PREFORMS INTO PLASTIC CONTAINERS, A BLOW MOULD AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A CONTAINER

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for forming plastic preforms (10) into plastic containers (20), having at least one blow mould (14) which has at least two blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and a bottom mould (14c), wherein the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c) forming a cavity which corresponds to a negative contour of the plastic container (20) to be formed, wherein between the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c) at least a first parting plane (22) and a second parting plane (24) is present, wherein the first parting plane (22) extending between the two side parts (14a, 14b) and the second parting plane (24) extending between the side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c), wherein the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c) can be separated from each other by the second parting plane (24) and the bottom mould (14c) can be removed from the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) by a bottom lift. According to the invention, at least a part of the bottom contour (15b) of the bottom mould (14c) is arranged in the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b).

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for forming plastic preforms (10) into plastic containers (20), having at least one blow mould (14) which has at least two blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and a bottom mould (14c), wherein the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c) forming a cavity which corresponds to a negative contour of the plastic container (20) to be formed, wherein between the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c) at least a first parting plane (22) and a second parting plane (24) is present, wherein the first parting plane (22) extending between the two side parts (14a, 14b) and the second parting plane (24) extending between the side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c), wherein the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c) can be separated from each other by the second parting plane (24) and the bottom mould (14c) can be removed from the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) by a bottom lift, characterised in that at least a part of the bottom contour (15b) of the bottom mould (14c) is arranged in the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b)

2. Apparatus (1) claim 1, characterised in that the second parting plane (24) runs in horizontal direction (h) between the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c).

3. Apparatus (1) according to according to at least one of the claim 1, characterised in that the first parting plane (22) runs in a vertical direction (v) between the two blow mould side parts (14a, 14b).

4. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the height of the bottom lift corresponds at least to the height (H) of the bottom mould (14c).

5. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the height (H) of the bottom mould (14c) and/or the second parting plane (24) is less than half a container diameter of a container (20) produced with the apparatus

6. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the blow-mould diameter (Db) is preferably greater than or equal to 150 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 140 mm and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 125 mm.

7. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the height (H) of the bottom mould (14c) for a container diameter of 105 mm is preferably between 51 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 51 mm and 32 mm, and particularly preferably between 51 mm and 35 mm.

8. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that a cut surface (S) of the bottom mould (14c) has an undercut (25) in the top view.

9. A blow mould (14) for an apparatus (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least two blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and a bottom mould (14c), wherein the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c) form a cavity, which corresponds to a negative contour of a plastic container (20) to be moulded, wherein the bottom mould (14c) forms a contour (15b) of the container (20) and in particular a standing area (30) of the container (20) and the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) form a contour (15a) of the outer wall of the container (20), characterised in that at least a part of the bottom contour (15b) of the bottom mould (14c) is arranged in the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and/or the blow mould (14) is a blow mould (14) with which containers (20) with a round cross-section (Q1) can be produced and the bottom mould (14c) has a cross-section (Q2) deviating from a round cross-section (Q1) in a top view.

10. A method of manufacturing a plastic container (20) with at least one blow mould (14) according to claim 9.

11. Apparatus (1) for forming plastic preforms (10) into plastic containers (20), having at least one blow mould (14) which has at least two blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and a bottom mould (14c), wherein the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c) forming a cavity which corresponds to a negative contour of the plastic container (20) to be formed, wherein between the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c) at least a first parting plane (22) and a second parting plane (24) is present, wherein the first parting plane (22) extending between the two side parts (14a, 14b) and the second parting plane (24) extending between the side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c), wherein the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c) can be separated from each other by the second parting plane (24) and the bottom mould (14c) can be removed from the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) by a bottom lift, characterised in that the blow mould (14) is a blow mould (14) with which containers (20) with a round cross-section (Q1) can be produced, and the bottom mould (14c) has a cross-section (Q2) deviating from a round cross-section (Q1) when viewed from above.

12. Apparatus (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that the second parting plane (24) runs in horizontal direction (h) between the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c).

13. Apparatus (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that the first parting plane (22) runs in a vertical direction (v) between the two blow mould side parts (14a, 14b).

14. Apparatus (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that the height of the bottom lift corresponds at least to the height (H) of the bottom mould (14c).

15. Apparatus (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that the height (H) of the bottom mould (14c) and/or the second parting plane (24) is less than half a container diameter of a container (20) produced with the apparatus

16. Apparatus (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that the blow-mould diameter (Db) is preferably greater than or equal to 150 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 140 mm and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 125 mm.

17. Apparatus (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that the height (H) of the bottom mould (14c) for a container diameter of 105 mm is preferably between 51 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 51 mm and 32 mm, and particularly preferably between 51 mm and 35 mm.

18. Apparatus (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that a cut surface (S) of the bottom mould (14c) has an undercut (25) in the top view.

19. A blow mould (14) for an apparatus (1) according to claim 11, comprising at least two blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and a bottom mould (14c), wherein the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and the bottom mould (14c) form a cavity, which corresponds to a negative contour of a plastic container (20) to be moulded, wherein the bottom mould (14c) forms a contour (15b) of the container (20) and in particular a standing area (30) of the container (20) and the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) form a contour (15a) of the outer wall of the container (20), characterised in that at least a part of the bottom contour (15b) of the bottom mould (14c) is arranged in the blow mould side parts (14a, 14b) and/or the blow mould (14) is a blow mould (14) with which containers (20) with a round cross-section (Q1) can be produced and the bottom mould (14c) has a cross-section (Q2) deviating from a round cross-section (Q1) in a top view.

20. A method of manufacturing a plastic container (20) with at least one blow mould (14) according to claim 19.

Description

[0047] In the drawings:

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus according to the invention for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers;

[0049] FIG. 2a shows a schematic representation of a bottom area of a container;

[0050] FIG. 2b shows a further schematic representation of a bottom area of a container;

[0051] FIG. 3a shows a schematic representation of a blow mould according to the prior art;

[0052] FIG. 3b shows a schematic representation of a blow mould according to the invention;

[0053] FIG. 4a shows a schematic representation of a bottom area of a container;

[0054] FIG. 4b shows a top view of a bottom mould according to the prior art;

[0055] FIG. 5a shows a further schematic representation of a bottom area of a container;

[0056] FIG. 5b shows a top view of a bottom mould according to the invention;

[0057] FIG. 6a shows a further schematic representation of a bottom area of a container;

[0058] FIG. 6b shows a top view of a further bottom mould according to the invention;

[0059] FIG. 7a shows a further schematic representation of a bottom area of a container; and

[0060] FIG. 7b shows a top view of a further bottom mould according to the invention.

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus 1 for forming plastic preforms 10 into plastic containers 20. In the case the plastic preforms 10 are fed to the individual forming stations 8 and, preferably while they are being transported by a transport device 2, expanded into plastic containers 20. After this expansion, the plastic containers 20 are taken out of the apparatus 1 again. For this purpose a (not shown) feeding star can be provided, which feeds the plastic preforms to the apparatus 1, as well as a (also not shown) discharge device, in particular also a transport starwheel, which discharges the finished plastic containers 20 from the apparatus again.

[0062] The apparatus 1 has a station carrier 12 on which a plurality of forming stations 8 are arranged. This station carrier can be, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a blowing wheel which can be rotated in relation to an axis of rotation D (which here is perpendicular to the plane of the figure and thus vertical). Each individual forming station 8 is equipped with a blow mould 14, which consists of two blow mould side parts 14a, 14b and a bottom mould 14c. The blow moulds 14 are arranged on blow mould carriers 16 and can be removed from or placed on them.

[0063] The reference sign 6 indicates a base support on which the station support 12 is rotatably mounted. The reference sign 18 indicates a housing which at least partially surrounds the station carrier 12. Preferably the housing 18 separates its interior, which is designed as a sterile or clean room, from a normal atmosphere.

[0064] FIGS. 2a and 2b each show a schematic representation of a bottom area 20a and a standing area 37 of a container 20, respectively. In particular, the standing feet 5 formed by the container 20 can be recognised, wherein the container 20 shown in this figure preferably has five standing feet 5. The reference sign 36 identifies the centre of container 20, which preferably, starting from a surface on which the container is standing, is higher than a standing circle 38 of the bottom area 20a indicated by the dotted area. This standing circle 38 lies on the surface on which the container stands.

[0065] The reference sign TP indicates a tangent point in which the second parting plane is located in the prior art. In particular, the tangent point TP in particular is a point at which a curvature 32 of a standing feet 35 or a bottom part intersects with a vertical cylindrical lateral surface 34 of the container or the side parts, or a point at which a tangent T, which is indicated here schematically, becomes just vertical. From this illustration, it is in particular clear that if this point of separation is set downwards, the lateral surface already has a diameter deviating from a circular shape, since here the standing feet 35 of the standing area 37 are formed here.

[0066] FIG. 3a shows a schematic representation of a blow mould 14 according to the prior art. The blow mould 14 shown here has two blow mould side parts 14a and 14b and a bottom mould 14c. The blow mould side parts 14a, 14b form a contour 15a of the container 20 and the bottom mould 14c a bottom contour 15b of the container 20. The reference sign 22 indicates a first parting plane between the blow mould side parts 14a, 14b and the reference sign 24 indicates a second parting plane between the blow mould side parts 14a, 14b and the bottom mould 14c. The first parting plane 22 preferably runs in vertical direction v and the second parting plane 24 in horizontal direction h.

[0067] The reference sign H indicates the height of the bottom mould 14c, which in this illustration is in the area explained in FIG. 2. The reference sign Db also indicates the blow mould diameter of the blow mould 14.

[0068] FIG. 3b shows a schematic representation of a blow mould 14 according to the invention. In this case it is in particular visible that the height H of the bottom mould 14c is considerably less than the height H of the bottom mould 14c in FIG. 3a. In particular, the height H of the bottom mould 14c is below the area explained in FIG. 2.

[0069] FIG. 4a shows a schematic representation of a bottom section 20a of a container 20. This is in particular a bottom section 20a with a height H of 51 mm. In this exemplary design, it is a container 20 manufactured according to the prior art, the bottom height H of which corresponds to half the container diameter Da. FIG. 4b further shows a top view of a bottom mould 14c according to the prior art. It can be seen that the cut surface S of the bottom mould 14c has a round cross-section Q1.

[0070] FIG. 5a shows a further schematic representation of a bottom area 20a of a container 20 produced with a blow mould 14 according to the invention and FIG. 5b shows a top view of a bottom mould 14c according to the invention. In the case of the exemplary container 20 shown in FIG. 5a, it is indicated that the height H of the bottom mould 14c has been reduced from 51 mm to 45 mm. In particular, the illustration in FIG. 5b makes it clear that due to such a reduction, the bottom mould 14c in a top view now has a cross-section Q2 deviating from the round cross-section Q1 instead of the previously round cross-section Q1.

[0071] FIGS. 6a and 6b show a further schematic representation of a bottom area 20a of a container 20 produced with a blow mould according to the invention, and again a top view of another bottom mould 14c according to the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the height H of the bottom mould 14c was reduced from 51 mm to 40 mm. The cross-section Q2 of the top view of the bottom mould 14c deviates even further from a round cross-section Q1 than the bottom mould according to FIGS. 5a and 5b. The cut surface S also has an undercut 25, which is formed due to the cross-section Q2 of the bottom mould deviating from the round cross-section Q1.

[0072] FIGS. 7a and 7b show a further version of the bottom section 20a of container 20 or the bottom section 14c in which the height H of the bottom mould 14c has been reduced from 51 mm to 35 mm.

[0073] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as being essentially inventive, provided that they are, individually or in combination, new compared to the prior art. It is further pointed out that the individual figures also describe features which may be advantageous in themselves. The skilled person recognises immediately that a certain feature described in a figure can be advantageous even without adopting further features from this figure. Furthermore, the skilled person recognises that advantages may also result from a combination of several features shown in individual or different figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0074] 1 apparatus

[0075] 2 transport device

[0076] 6 base carrier

[0077] 8 forming station

[0078] 10 plastic preforms

[0079] 12 station carrier

[0080] 14 blow mould

[0081] 14a, 14b blow mould side parts

[0082] 14c bottom mould

[0083] 15a contour of the container 20

[0084] 15b bottom contour of the container 20

[0085] 16 blow mould carrier

[0086] 18 housing

[0087] 20 plastic containers

[0088] 20a bottom area of the container 20

[0089] 22 first parting plane

[0090] 24 second parting plane

[0091] 25 undercut

[0092] 30 standing area

[0093] 32 curvature of the bottom mould 14c/standing feet 35

[0094] 34 vertical cylindrical lateral surface

[0095] 35 standing foot

[0096] 36 centre

[0097] 37 standing area

[0098] 38 standing circle

[0099] D axis of rotation

[0100] Da container diameter

[0101] Db blow mould diameter

[0102] H height of bottom mould 14c and/or second parting plane 24

[0103] Q1 round cross-section

[0104] Q2 cross section

[0105] S interface

[0106] T tangent

[0107] TP tangent point

[0108] h horizontal direction

[0109] v vertical direction