APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING MEDIA COUPLINGS ON A BLOW MOULD

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for transforming plastic parisons (10) to plastic containers (20) with a transport device (2) which transports the plastic parisons (10) along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device (2) has a movable station support (12) arranged at least indirectly on a stationary base support (6) on which a plurality of transforming stations (8) is arranged, wherein these transforming stations (8) each have blow mould devices (14) which each form cavities within which the plastic parisons (10) can be transformed into the plastic containers (20) and these blow mould devices (14) are each disposed on blow mould supports (16), wherein the apparatus (1) has a changing device (40) which is suitable and intended at least to remove the blow moulding devices (14) from their blow mould supports (16) and/or to arrange blow moulding devices (14) on the blow mould supports (16), wherein this changing device (40) has at least one gripping device for gripping the blow moulding device (14), wherein the gripping device is suitable for selectively changing a complete blow moulding device (14) or only parts (14a, 14b, 14c) of the blow moulding device (14), wherein the reshaping station (8) and in particular the blow moulding device (14) has at least one channel (60) for conveying a flowable medium as well as at least one coupling device (62) which can be separated from the channel (60). According to the invention the changing device (40) is suitable and intended to separate and/or to connect the coupling device (62) and/or to break and/or to make a flow connection between the channel (60) and the coupling device (62).

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for transforming plastic parisons (10) to plastic containers (20) with a transport device (2) which transports the plastic parisons (10) along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device (2) has a movable station support (12) arranged at least indirectly on a stationary base support (6) on which a plurality of transforming stations (8) is arranged, wherein these transforming stations (8) each have blow mould devices (14) which each form cavities within which the plastic parisons (10) can be transformed into the plastic containers (20) and these blow mould devices (14) are each disposed on blow mould supports (16), wherein the apparatus (1) has a changing device (40) which is suitable and intended at least to remove the blow moulding devices (14) from their blow mould supports (16) and/or to arrange blow moulding devices (14) on the blow mould supports (16), wherein this changing device (40) has at least one gripping device for gripping the blow moulding device (14), wherein the gripping device is suitable for selectively changing a complete blow moulding device (14) or only parts (14a, 14b, 14c) of the blow moulding device (14), wherein the reshaping station (8) and in particular the blow moulding device (14) has at least one channel (60) for conveying a flowable medium as well as at least one coupling device (62) which can be separated from the channel (60), characterised in that the changing device (40) is suitable and intended to separate and/or to connect the coupling device (62) and/or to break and/or to make a flow connection between the channel (60) and the coupling device (62).

2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the changing device (40) is a changing robot or a handling manipulator and the changing operation takes place automatically or semi-automatically.

3. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the reshaping station (8) has at least two and preferably a plurality of coupling devices (62) and/or the changing device (40) has at least two and preferably a plurality of interfaces for breaking and/or making a flow connection.

4. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the reshaping device (8) has at least two coupling devices (62) which are arranged at height levels which are substantially different from one another.

5. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the reshaping device (8) has at least two coupling devices (62) and the changing device (40) is suitable and intended separate and/or to connect the two coupling devices (62) successively.

6. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the changing device (40) is suitable and intended to separate and/or to connect the coupling device (62) and/or to break and/or to make a flow connection between the channel (60) and the coupling device (62) before, during or after the gripping of the blow moulding device (14).

7. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the coupling device (62) is a plug connection and/or the coupling device (62) is a quick-release coupling for gases and/or fluids.

8. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the coupling device (62) is designed to be self-sealing.

9. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that a pneumatic connection for releasing a latching of a blow moulding device (14) can be produced by the changing device (40).

10. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the changing device (40) has means for supplying a channel (60) and/or a coupling device (62) with flowable medium and in particular a source of flowable medium.

11. Apparatus (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that the flowable medium is a temperature control medium preferably for temperature control of at least a part (14a, 14b, 14c) of the blow moulding device (14).

12. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the reshaping device (8) is arranged in a clean room.

13. Method (1) for operating an apparatus (1) for reshaping plastic preforms (10) into plastic containers (20) with a transport device (2) which transports the plastic preforms (10) along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device (2) has a movable station support (12) arranged at least indirectly on a stationary base support (6) on which a plurality of transforming stations (8) is arranged, wherein these transforming stations (8) each have blow mould devices (14) which each form cavities within which the plastic parisons (10) can be transformed into the plastic containers (20) and these blow mould devices (14) are each disposed on blow mould supports (16), wherein the apparatus (1) has a changing device (40) which is suitable and intended at least to remove the blow moulding devices (14) from their blow mould supports (16) and/or to arrange blow moulding devices (14) on the blow mould supports (16), wherein this changing device (40) has at least one gripping device for gripping the blow moulding device (14), wherein the gripping device is suitable for selectively changing a complete blow moulding device (14) or only parts (14a, 14b, 14c) of the blow moulding device (14), wherein the reshaping station (8) and in particular the blow moulding device (14) has at least one channel (60) for conveying a flowable medium as well as at least one coupling device (62) which can be separated from the channel (60), characterised in that the changing device (40) separates and/or connects the coupling device (62) and/or to break and/or breaks and/or makes a flow connection between the channel (60) and the coupling device (62).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the changing device (40) separates and/or connects at least two coupling devices (62) successively.

15. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the changing device (40) merely performs a separation of a coupling device (62) and/or a flow connection between the channel (60) and the coupling device (62), whilst a connection of the coupling device (62) and/or production of a flow connection between the channel (60) and the coupling device (62) takes place manually.

Description

[0039] Further advantages and embodiments are apparent from the appended drawings.

[0040] In the drawings:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus according to the invention;

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a representation of a user with a blow moulding device;

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a representation of a user with a holding device;

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a representation of a coupling device in the disconnected state;

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a representation of the coupling device according to FIG. 5 in a connected state.

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus 1 for reshaping plastic preforms 10 into plastic containers 20. In this case the plastic preforms 10 are fed to the individual reshaping stations 8 and are expanded to form plastic containers 20, preferably while they are being transported by a transport device 2. After this expansion the plastic containers 20 are removed from the apparatus 1 again. For this purpose a feed starwheel can be provided which delivers the plastic parisons to the apparatus 1 and also a discharge device, in particular likewise a transport starwheel, which discharges the finished containers 20 from the apparatus. The system 1 has a station support 12 on which a plurality of transforming stations 8 are disposed. In this case this station support may be for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a blow moulding wheel which is rotatable with respect to an axis of rotation D (which here extends perpendicular to the drawing plane and thus vertically). Each individual transforming station has a respective blow moulding device 14. This blow moulding device 14 is composed of two side parts and a base part. These blow moulding devices can be replaced according to the invention. In this case the blow mould devices 14 are arranged on blow mould supports 16 and can be removed therefrom or arranged thereon.

[0048] The reference 40 identifies a changing device which serves to remove the blow mould devices from their blow mould supports or to dispose the blow mould devices on the blow mould supports. The reference 6 identifies a base support on which the station support 12 is rotatably mounted. The changing device 40 is also arranged on or adjacent to the base support 6. Thus the changing device 40 can be integrated in the apparatus. The reference sign 18 identifies a housing, which at least partially surrounds the station support 12, but which can preferably also enclose or house the changeover device 40. The housing preferably disconnects its interior, which is designed as a sterile room or a clean room, from a normal atmosphere. However, at least intermittently and particularly preferably permanently and advantageously also whilst it is performing a changing operation, the changing device 40 is preferably also arranged outside the housing 18 or before or in the periphery of the blow moulding machine or the transforming device 1. In this case the apparatus 1 as well as the changing device 40 are preferably suitable and intended to engage in the blow moulding machine or the transforming device 1 from the exterior of the housing 18, preferably through the housing 18.

[0049] The reference W designates a changing position. As mentioned above, the blow moulding devices are preferably replaced at a specific changing position. This means that the transforming stations can be moved successively into this changing position W by a rotation of the support 12 and then in this changing position the old blow moulding devices can be removed and preferably also new blow moulding devices can be delivered. The reference R designates a radial direction. In this radial direction the changing device or a gripping device of the changing device is preferably delivered to the transforming stations or the blow mould devices in order to change them.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the changing device 40 is configured as a so-called manipulator which can be operated by a user B. This manipulator 40 has a gripping device 52 which serves for holding the blow moulding device 14. This gripping device is arranged on an arm 54 and this arm in turn is arranged on an arm 56. The reference 57 designates a further arm on which the arm 56 is arranged.

[0051] For changing the blow moulding devices the user can bring the gripping device to the reshaping device 8 and can connect it to the blow moulding device. Furthermore, by means of the changing device 40 the user B can release a latching of the blow moulding device, for example on the blow mould support 14, by application of compressed air, which is provided for instance by the changing device 40. Then the blow moulding device can be received from the changing device 40. Then the user B can move the blow moulding device 14 by means of the changing device 40 to the magazine and can place it there.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows a representation of a user carrying a blow moulding device 14. However, it would also be conceivable that this is completely replaced by a robot during the change of blow mould. In this case the reference signs 14a, 14b, and 14c designate the individual components of the blow mould device, namely the side parts thereof as well as the base part (14c). The reference 90 designates a holding device which serves for holding the blow moulding device 14. In this case this holding device 90 can be configured in such a way that on the one hand it can be connected to a changing device 40, but on the other hand it can also be held by the user B.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a user B who is only holding the holding device 90. As can be seen, this latter can be configured so that it can preferably be held on one side by the user B.

[0054] Finally, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a coupling device 62, with the aid of which a flow connection between a first channel 60 and a second channel 64 can be made or can be broken. The changing device 40 can for instance carry out such breaking or making of a flow connection between two channels. In this case FIG. 5 shows the coupling device 62 in a disconnected state, in which therefore no flow connection exists between the channel 60 and the second channel 64. On the other hand, the coupling device 62 is shown in FIG. 6 in a connected state, in which a flow connection exists between the channel 60 and the second channel 64. In the connected state the coupling device 62 a flowable medium can preferably be fed to the channel 60 or is extracted therefrom and in this way a part of a blow moulding device 14 or of the blow mould support 16 can be temperature-controlled.

[0055] The applicant reserves the right to claim all the features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention in so far as they are individually or in combination novel over the prior art. Furthermore it is pointed out that features which may be advantageous per se have also been described in the individual drawings. The person skilled in the art recognises immediately that a specific feature described in a drawing may also be advantageous without the incorporation of further features from this drawing. Furthermore the person skilled in the art recognises that advantages may also result from a combination of several features shown in individual drawings or in different drawings.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0056] 1 apparatus [0057] 2 transport device [0058] 6 base support [0059] 8 reshaping station [0060] 10 plastic preform [0061] 12 station support [0062] 14 blow moulding device [0063] 14a, b, c components of the blow moulding device [0064] 16 blow mould support [0065] 20 plastic container [0066] 40 changing device [0067] 54, 56, 57 arm [0068] 60 channel [0069] 62 coupling device [0070] 64 second channel [0071] 90 holding arrangement [0072] B user [0073] D axis of rotation [0074] R radial direction [0075] W change position