METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FILLED CONTAINERS FROM THERMALLY CONDITIONED PREFORMS

Abstract

A method and device for producing containers filled with liquid content from preforms made of thermoplastic material. The liquid content is fed as a pressure medium into thermally conditioned preforms during a forming and filling phase in a mold of one of a plurality of forming stations arranged circumferentially spaced apart on a common, continuously rotationally driven working wheel. A compensating device compensates for thermal consequences of centrifugal force acting on the liquid content fed into the preform during the forming and filling phase. The compensating device imparts a temperature profile to the preform in a circumferential direction, which is not point-symmetrical in relation to a longitudinal axis of the preform to produce a thermally differentiated partial circumferential region. The preform is inserted into the mold such that the thermally differentiated partial circumferential region faces in a radial direction of the working wheel.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A method for producing a container filled with at least one liquid content from a preform made of a thermoplastic material, said method comprising: thermally conditioning the preform along a heating zone in a heating device; and subsequently, during a forming and filling phase in a mold of a forming station, feeding the at least one liquid content into the preform as a pressure medium and thereby simultaneously forming and filling the container with the at least one liquid content; wherein the forming station is one of a plurality of forming stations arranged circumferentially spaced apart on a common, continuously rotationally driven working wheel at a radial distance from an axis of rotation of the working wheel, wherein a compensating device is used to compensate for thermal consequences of centrifugal force acting on the at least one liquid content fed into the preform during the forming and filling phase, wherein the compensating device is a temperature control device, which imparts to the preform a temperature profile in a circumferential direction which is not point-symmetrical in relation to a longitudinal axis of the preform and thereby produces a thermally differentiated partial circumferential region in the preform, and wherein the preform is inserted into the mold in such an alignment that the thermally differentiated partial circumferential region is facing in a radial direction of the working wheel.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, while the preform is being formed into the container, the preform is guided and stretched in a direction of its longitudinal axis at least for a time by a stretching rod.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the thermally differentiated partial circumferential region is heated more strongly than remaining circumferential regions of the preform.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the temperature profile imparted to the preform in the circumferential direction is regulated or controlled as a function of a selected circumferential speed of the working wheel.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the compensating device is arranged in the heating zone of the heating device.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the thermally differentiated partial circumferential region faces radially outward after insertion of the preform into the mold of the forming station.

20. The method according to claim 14, wherein the container is rotationally symmetrical about its longitudinal axis, is formed with n-fold symmetrical rotation, and wherein n is greater than 4.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein n is greater than 8, and wherein the container is substantially circularly symmetrical.

22. The method according to claim 14, wherein the thermally differentiated partial circumferential region has a partial circumferential angle of less than 180.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the partial circumferential angle is less than 90.

24. A device for producing containers filled with at least one liquid content from preforms made of a thermoplastic material, said device comprising: a plurality of forming stations each having a forming and filling head and a mold, wherein each forming station is configured to feed the at least one liquid content into one of the preforms as a pressure medium and thereby simultaneously form the one of the preforms into a container and fill the container with the at least one liquid content during a forming and filling phase in the mold; and a heating device for thermally conditioning the preforms along a heating zone; wherein formation of the container takes place against an inner wall of the mold with the mold being closed, wherein the plurality of forming stations are arranged circumferentially spaced apart on a common, continuously rotationally driven working wheel at a radial distance from an axis of rotation of the working wheel, wherein the device further comprises a compensating device to compensate for thermal consequences of centrifugal force acting on the at least one liquid content fed into the preforms during the forming and filling phase, wherein the compensating device is a temperature control device, which is Imparts a temperature profile in the preforms, wherein the compensating device further has a preform alignment device for aligned insertion of the temperature-profiled preforms into respective molds of the plurality of forming stations, wherein the temperature control device is configured to impart the temperature profile in the preforms in a circumferential direction, which is not point-symmetrical in relation to a longitudinal axis of the preforms and thereby produce a thermally differentiated partial circumferential region in the preforms, and wherein the preform alignment device is configured to insert the preforms into the respective molds in such an alignment that the thermally differentiated partial circumferential region is facing in a radial direction of the working wheel.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein the forming station has a stretching rod configured to stretch the preform in a direction of its longitudinal axis at least for a time during the forming and filling phase.

26. The device according to claim 24, wherein the temperature control device is arranged in the heating zone of the heating device.

27. The device according to claim 24, wherein the temperature control device is configured such that the thermally differentiated partial circumferential region is heated more strongly than remaining circumferential regions of the preforms.

28. The device according to claim 24, wherein the preform alignment device is configured such that the thermally differentiated partial circumferential region is facing radially outward after insertion of the preform into the mold of a forming station.

29. The device according to claim 24, wherein the inner wall of the mold is configured to produce the container such that the container is rotationally symmetrical about its longitudinal axis, and has n-fold symmetrical rotation, wherein n is greater than 4.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein n is greater than 8, and wherein the inner wall of the mold is configured to produce a container having a substantially circular symmetry.

31. The device according to claim 24, wherein the temperature control device is configured to control or regulate the temperature profile of the preforms dependent on a circumferential speed of the working wheel.

32. The device according to claim 24, wherein the thermally differentiated partial circumferential region has a partial circumferential angle of less than 180.

33. The device according to claim 32, wherein the partial circumferential angle is less than 90.

Description

[0027] Additional advantages, features, and details of the invention result from the exemplary embodiments described in the following with reference to the schematic drawings. The following is shown:

[0028] FIG. 1 a highly schematized representation of a forming and filling device;

[0029] FIG. 2 a longitudinal section through a mold of a forming station, in which a preform is stretched and expanded, with a developing container bubble;

[0030] FIG. 3a a first exemplary embodiment of a temperature control device according to the invention;

[0031] FIG. 3b a second exemplary embodiment of a temperature control device according to the invention;

[0032] FIG. 4 a sketch related to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention with a preform alignment device in a top view;

[0033] FIG. 5 a side view of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0034] FIGS. 6a, 6b enlarged views of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 5 in the region of the alignment device for the preforms;

[0035] FIG. 7 a detailed view from FIG. 4 in the region of the head wheel for the alignment device therein;

[0036] FIG. 8 perspective views of the details from FIG. 7;

[0037] FIG. 9 sectional views from above of the subject matter in the left half of the picture from FIG. 8.

[0038] The structure of a combined forming and filling machine 10 essentially known from the prior art is shown in FIG. 1. The representation shows the preferred design of such a filling device 10 in the form of a rotating machine with a rotating working wheel 110 supporting forming stations and/or forming and filling stations 16. Schematically represented preforms 14 are continuously fed to a heating device 116 by an infeed device 112 with use of a transfer wheel 114. In the region of the heating device 116, in which the preforms 14 are transported along a heating zone and thermally conditioned while doing so, the preforms 14 can be transported depending on the application, for example, with their outlet sections 22 upward in the vertical direction or downward in the vertical direction. The heating device 116 is equipped, for example, with heating mechanisms 118, which are arranged along a transport mechanism 120 for forming the heating zone. For example, a circulating chain with transport mandrels for retaining the preforms 14 can be used as a transport mechanism 120. For example, IR radiators or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or NIR radiators are suitable as heating mechanisms 118. Because such heating mechanisms are known in various forms in the prior art and the design details of the heating mechanism are not essential for the present invention, a more detailed description can be omitted and reference can be made to the prior art, particularly to the prior art related to heating mechanisms of mold blowing and stretch mold blowing machines.

[0039] After sufficient temperature control, also known as thermal conditioning, the preforms 14 are transferred by a transfer wheel 122 to a working wheel 110, which is arranged so as to rotate, i.e. can be circumferentially driven about a vertical machine axis MA, and/or to forming and filling stations 16, which are arranged on the working wheel 110 distributed around the circumference. The working wheel 110 is equipped with a plurality of such forming and filling station 16, in the region of which both forming of the preforms 14 into the schematically shown containers 12 as well as filling of the containers 12 with the intended content take place. The forming of each container 12 in this case takes place simultaneously with the filling, wherein the content serves as a pressure medium during forming.

[0040] After the forming and filling, the containers 12 are taken from the working wheel 110 by a removal wheel 124, further transported, and supplied to an output zone 126. The working wheel 110 circulates continuously at a desired circumferential speed during production operation. During a revolution, the insertion of a preform 14 into a forming and filling station 16, the expansion of the preform 14 into a container 12 including filling with a content and optionally including stretching, in the event a stretching rod is provided, and the removal of the container 12 from the forming and filling station 16 take place.

[0041] According to the embodiment in FIG. 1, it is further optionally provided to feed schematically shown caps 130 to the working wheel 110 by means of an input mechanism 128. It is hereby also possible to implement a closing of the container 12 while already on the working wheel 110 and to handle completely formed, filled, and closed containers 12 using the removal device 124.

[0042] Various thermoplastic materials can be used as the material for the preforms 14. Examples include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephtalate (PEN), or polypropylene (PP). The dimensions as well as the weight of the preforms 14 are adapted to the size, the weight, and/or the shape of the containers 12 to be produced.

[0043] A plurality of electrical and electronic components are typically arranged in the region of the heating device 116. Moreover, the heating mechanisms 118 are provided with moisture-sensitive reflectors. Because a filling and forming of the container 12 takes place in the region of the working wheel 110 while using the liquid content, it should be ensured that unintentional entry of moisture is prevented in the region of the heating device 116 to prevent electrical problems. This can take place, for example, by means of a partition mechanism 132, which at least offers spray protection.

[0044] Moreover, it is also possible to suitably adjust the temperature of the transport elements for the preforms 14, said transfer elements being used in the region of the transfer wheel 122, or to impact with pressurized gas such that adhering moisture cannot reach the region of the heating device 116.

[0045] The preforms 14 and/or the containers 12 are preferably handled using tongs and/or the outlet section 22 is handled, at least in areas, by clamping mandrels or dowels impinging from the interior or exterior. Such handling means are likewise well-known from the prior art.

[0046] In a principally sectional view through a forming and filling station 16 in addition to the molded container 12, FIG. 2 also shows the preform 14 in dashes and a developing container bubble 15 schematically. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a stretching of the preform 14 in the longitudinal direction X thereof is provided by means of a stretching rod 11. In the process state shown of the forming and filling process, the mold 13 of the forming station 16 is in a closed state and the stretching rod 11 is moving until it reaches its lower end position. The stretching of the preform 14 in the axial direction X is complete, while the expansion transverse to the axial direction X is not yet complete in reference to the container bubble 15. The mold 13, which is formed from a mold base 4 and two halves of the mold sides, 5 and 6, encloses an inner cavity, which is terminated by the inner wall of the mold 7, against which the preform 14 and/or the developing container bubble 15 expands through the introduction of the content 3 under forming pressure. The pressurized feeding of the content 3 takes place by means of a forming and filling head 8, which has been lowered so as to seal the outlet section 22 of the preform 14 and by means of which the content 3 is introduced, e.g., through the stretching rod 11 and/or passed the stretching rod 11.

[0047] FIG. 3a shows a horizontal section through a preform 14 arranged in the region of a temperature-profile-creation device 36. It can be seen that the temperature-profile-creation device 36 has a radiant heater 37, e.g. an IR or NIR radiator, as well as a reflector 38. In this embodiment, a circumference of the preform 14 has been divided into four angle ranges 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d. In the circumferential direction, the temperature control of the angle ranges 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d should take place such that one of these ranges is thermally differentiated, thus obtains, e.g., a higher temperature than the remaining ranges. In particular, it is provided that the radiant heater 37 directly radiates the preform 14 only in angle range 14a, while the remaining angle ranges 14b, 14c, 14d do not experience any direct heat radiation. Accordingly, angle range 14a with angle of the preform 14 is provided with a higher temperature than angle ranges 14b, 14c, 14d after impact with the heat radiation. The size of the respective angle ranges 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d is selected at 90 for each in the example shown and can also be selected to deviate therefrom.

[0048] When implementing the desired thermally differentiated circumferential region 14a of the preform 14, it would be possible to maintain the preform 14 in a non-rotatable manner. However, it is also possible to implement a rotation of the preform 14 about its longitudinal axis 8 with an incremental movement or continuously and, in doing so, to switch on or release the radiant heater 37 in cycles when the circumferential region 14a is aligned so as to face the radiant heater 37.

[0049] The temperature-profile-creation device 36 can be arranged, e.g., in the heating device 116, e.g. at the end of the heating zone, and resemble the heating mechanisms 118 provided in the heating device 116. For example, it is possible to adjust the temperature of the preform 14 in the circumferential direction uniformly initially in advance and subsequently to create the thermally differentiated region 14a with the help of the described temperature-profile-creation device 36, e.g., in that a preform 14 is guided passed a heating mechanism 118 in a non-rotatable manner. FIG. 3b shows another option for thermal differentiation of a circumferential region 14a of a preform 14. A pre-tempered preform 14 in this case is moved along a cooling nozzle 53 in a non-rotatable manner, from which a cooling gas flows onto the circumferential region 14d. Air can be used for example. The statements related to FIG. 3a regarding rotation of the preform 14 and arrangement of the cooling nozzle 53 in the heating device 116 apply here in a similar manner.

[0050] It is also conceivable to provide both cooling of a first circumferential region, as explained by means of example in FIG. 3b, as well as heating of the circumferential region complementary thereto, as explained in FIG. 3a. It is also conceivable to replace the cooling nozzle 53 with a heating nozzle and to impact the angle range 14a with hot air.

[0051] In a view from above, FIG. 4 shows a heating device 116 essentially known from the prior art with a temperature-profile-creation device 36 according to the invention for creating a thermally differentiated circumferential region 14a of a preform 14. The circulating transport chain 50, composed of multiple transport means 33, is indicated by individual chain links 33. This chain 50 is deflected via deflection wheels, which are not shown in greater detail, and has a curved region 41 in the area of this deflection and linear regions 42 lying in between. The preform is inserted into the heating device 116 in the region of the head wheel indicated by reference 34. FIG. 4 does not show the corresponding transfer wheels for transforming preforms to the heating device 116 and for removing the temperature-controlled preforms after passing completely through the heating device 116 by means of an almost complete circulation cycle of the transport chain 50.

[0052] Multiple heating mechanisms 118 are provided in the linear region 42 on the left in FIG. 4. Typical heating mechanisms 118 of this type are constructed, for example, as heater boxes with radiant heaters housed therein. Normally, multiple essentially horizontally extending linear-shaped heating pipes emitting heat radiation are arranged in this heating mechanism 118, with the heating pipes being arranged distributed about the length of the preform. These radiant heaters are normally arranged on one side of the heater box and a reflector is normally arranged on an opposite side of the heater box, the reflector being designed with high reflection capacity for the heat radiation used. The preforms 14 are guided through by the transport means 33 in the region formed between the radiant heaters and the reflector. In doing so, the preforms 14 are moved continuously and continuously rotated about their longitudinal axis in order to ensure the most uniform heating possible about the circumference of the preforms 14. Uniform temperature control can also take place in the axial direction of the preform 14. However, it is also possible for certain elevation regions of the preform 14 to be brought to a higher or a lower temperature than the other elevation regions. In the left-hand region, FIG. 4 shows five heater boxes 118 arranged next to one another, in which this uniform heating of the preforms 14 in the circumferential direction takes place, wherein this number can be selected as desired.

[0053] There are also heater boxes 118, 36 located on the opposite linear region 42 of the heating zone, through the heating device 116. The two heater boxes 118 the preforms 14 initially pass through on this section of the heating zone are structurally similar to the previously described heater boxes 118 for the uniform circumferential temperature control of the preforms 14. This is followed by a gap as well as two heater boxes 36 required for the thermal differentiation of a partial circumferential region 14a of the preforms 14 further in the direction of the preform movement, said boxes differing in their structure from the previously mentioned heater boxes 118. In this case as well, multiple radiant heaters are typically arranged on a first side of the heater box 36. However, there is optionally no reflector arranged on the opposite side of the heater box 36. This is intended to ensure that the preforms 14 guided through these thermal differentiation heater boxes 36 are not temperature-adjusted equally on the two opposite sides. This can also be achieved or further enhanced in that radiant heaters are used, which emit a radiation with a high portion of the radiation in a wavelength range which is absorbed by the preform material to a higher degree than with the heater boxes 118 for the uniform circumferential temperature control. In this manner, a desired temperature profile can be created in the circumferential direction, namely a circumferential region with an excellent temperature, at present with a higher temperature, namely the circumferential region facing the radiant heaters. The remaining circumferential regions have a lower temperature, namely the circumferential regions of the preform 14 facing in the direction of movement and opposite the direction of movement and the circumferential region facing away from the radiant heater.

[0054] FIG. 4 further shows the arrangement of an engagement mechanism 45, which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is designed as a circumferentially guided engagement belt 46. The upper deflection region 49 of the engagement belt 46 is located between the heating boxes 118 for the uniform circumferential temperature control of the preforms 14 and those heating boxes 36 for the thermal differentiation of a circumferential region. To this end, one feed-in position, for example, is unoccupied for a heater box. The lower deflection roller 48 for the engagement belt 46 is arranged in the region of the head wheel 34. In particular, this deflection roller 48 is designed such that the engagement belt 46 partially follows the curved region 41 around the head wheel 34. Furthermore, this deflection roller 48 is particularly formed so as to shift in a manner such that the engagement belt 46 follows the curved region 41 of the head wheel over a changing course. Details regarding this are shown in FIG. 7 and explained in greater detail in conjunction with FIG. 7, particularly the advantages thereby achieved.

[0055] The engagement belt 46 has a belt drive 47 in the exemplary embodiment shown. The engagement belt 46 is designed in this case such that an engagement in the transport means 33 takes place such that there is no rotation about the longitudinal axis of the preforms when passing through the heater boxes 36 designed for thermal differentiation. To this end, it is provided, for example, that the engagement belt 46 runs at the same speed as the transport chain 50. It is possible, for example, for a synchronization to take place between the transport chain 50 and the engagement belt 46. It would also be conceivable, however, for the engagement belt 46, for example, to not have its own drive but rather, for example, carriers, which engage the transport chain 50 and are then carried along by the transport chain 50. In this manner, the speed of the transport chain 50 and of the engagement belt 46 can be evenly maintained in a simple manner.

[0056] FIG. 4 further shows a so-called mandrel rotary belt 51, which ensures the uniform rotation of the preforms 14 about their longitudinal axis when passing through the heater boxes 118 for uniform circumferential temperature control. This mandrel rotary belt 51 is guided by the transport chain 50 externally; in alternative embodiment variations, it could also be guided internally, and extends, at a slight distance, into the linear regions 42 of the heating device 116, parallel to the transport chain 50. This mandrel rotary belt 51 extends completely around the transport chain 50 and is a first engagement mechanism. Such a mandrel rotary belt 51 is already known in the prior art and interacts, for example, with a gear wheel 52, which is arranged at the respective transport means 33 and rolls off the mandrel rotary belt 51. The circumferential speed of the mandrel rotary belt 51 is selected in a ratio to the circumferential speed of the transport chain 50 such that a relative speed exists so that the transport means 33 bearing the preform 14 is placed into rotation about its own axis due to the unwinding of the gear wheel 52 on the mandrel rotary belt 51.

[0057] In the region between the heater boxes 118 for the uniform circumferential temperature control and the heater boxes 36 for the thermal differentiation of a circumferential region, this mandrel rotary belt 51 is guided away from the transport chain 50 and the mandrel rotary belt 51 is thereby out of engagement with the gear wheels 52 of the transport means 33. This guiding away is provided so that the second engagement mechanism 45 can engage the gear wheel 52 without the mandrel rotary belt 51 showing a fault. To this end, the mandrel rotary belt 51 is guided externally at the second engagement mechanism 45 and at its deflection and guide rollers 48, 49. Outside of the region of the heater boxes 36 for the thermal differentiation of a circumferential region and after the engagement belt 46 is returned for a complete circulation, the mandrel rotary belt 51 again extends close to the transport chain 50 and again engages with the gear wheels 52 of the transport means 33 formed, e.g. as transport mandrels, in the left linear region 42 of the heating device 116.

[0058] The enlarged cutout from FIG. 4 shown in FIG. 7 shows the engagement belt 46 in its extension in the region of the head wheel 34. In the left linear region, the engagement belt 46, e.g. a toothed belt, engages with the gear wheel 52 of the transport mandrels of the transport chain 50, wherein other transport means 33 could also form the chain links of the transport chain 50 as transport mandrels. This engagement is continued in a curved region 41 of the transport chain 50, and the engagement belt 46 extends over a partial circumference at a corresponding angle a in this curved region around the head wheel 34, before the belt 46 lifts off of the gear wheels 52 and starts its return. In the linear region 42, the engagement belt 46 and the transport chain 50 are at the same speed and, due to the parallel arrangement of the two belt and/or chain extensions, the preform 14 can be maintained in this manner in a fixed circumferential angle position. However, as soon as the curved region 41 starts, the transport chain 50 spreads and the engagement belt 46 and the transport chain 50 run at a different angular velocity on different radii r1, r2. For this reason, a rotation of the transport means 33 and of the preform 14 being thereby retained takes place in this curved region 41 of the head wheel 34. The angle of rotation is dependent, on one hand, on the ratio of the rotation radii of the transport chain 50 and of the engagement belt 46 and, on the other hand, on the angle a. Due to movement of the respective position in the curved region 41, at which the engagement belt 46 is placed out of engagement with the gear wheel 52 of the transport mandrel 33, the rotation of the preform 14 and/or of the transport mandrel 33 can be adjusted specifically. For the purposes of this adjustment, a deflection means 48 of the engagement belt 46 is implemented in this region 41 in an adjustable manner in order to specifically modify the angle shown in FIG. 7. The targeted rotation of the preform 14 and/or of the transport mandrel 33 is desired so that the preform 14 is inserted into the forming station 16 at a certain alignment so that, thus, the thermally differentiated circumferential region of the preform 14 is at a certain orientation, for example, upon the transfer to the working wheel 110 and into the molds of the forming stations, e.g. so that the differentiated circumferential region is lying outward radially or inward radially. The previously described design is an example of a preform alignment device according to the invention. The adjustment of such a desired alignment of the preform 14 is supported by the targeted adjustment of the angle a in FIG. 7 by means of shifting of a deflection roller 48 of the engagement belt 46.

[0059] The engagement belt described in reference to FIGS. 4 and 7 could also be designed, e.g., as an engagement chain. This chain would only have to be guided similarly to the engagement belt and engage the engagement body and/or the gear wheel 52. Other engagement mechanisms with the same functionality are also possible.

[0060] An example of an engagement chain, which has a significantly more complex structure in comparison to the previously mentioned engagement chain according to the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 4 and 7 and which optionally provides further functionalities, is explained in the following, wherein, in a further variation from the previous exemplary embodiment, it does not have its own belt/chain drive and/or generally does not have its own drive for the engagement mechanism but rather the following exemplary embodiment provides for carrying of the engagement mechanism by means of the conveyor chain. This should also be considered an option which can be implemented in the previous exemplary embodiment. Vice versa, a separate drive can be provided for the engagement mechanism instead of a carrier and/or instead of a carrying engagement in the conveyor chain in any of the exemplary embodiments.

[0061] FIG. 5 shows a partial cutout and a perspective side view of a second example of a second engagement mechanism 45. This second engagement mechanism 45 is substantially designed as a circulating chain with multiple chain links. The first engagement mechanism 51 is also formed here in the form of a circulating toothed belt, namely as a mandrel rotary belt. In the front right-hand region of FIG. 5, a heater box 118 is shown, which is provided for the uniform temperature control of a preform 14 in the circumferential direction. Two heater boxes 36 are shown in the left region of FIG. 5, which are formed for the thermal differentiation of a circumferential region of a preform 14. In the region in between, which remains free due to the omission, for example, of a heater box, the second engagement mechanism 45 is arranged. This engagement mechanism 45 consists of an upper component 53 and a lower component 54. The mandrel rotary belt 51 is guided away from the transport chain 50 between these components 53, 54 and extends on the exterior along the heater boxes 36. This selected division of the engagement mechanism into two sections is purely optional and enables, e.g., the provision of further functions in this region of the heating device 116. Such further functions may be, e.g., the implementation of sterilization by means of a sterilization mechanism or, e.g., the provision of an inspection device. With respect to the sterilization mechanism, reference is made, e.g., to DE 10 2010 026 166 A1 and particularly here to FIG. 5 as well as to the statements therein regarding the advantages and regarding the technical implementation of the sterilization of preforms in the region of the heating zone of a heating device.

[0062] The upper component 53 and the lower component 54 of the second engagement mechanism 45 are linked to a coordinated rotational movement, which is not shown. It is also conceivable here to provide both components 53, 54 with their own drives, which function in a manner coordinated with one another, in order to achieve a uniform and synchronized rotational movement. However, it is also conceivable for only one of the two components 53, 54 to have a drive and, for example, the other component to be driven by means of a coupling motion. However, it is also possible for one or both components to engage the transport chain 50 by means of carriers and be carried along by the transport chain 50. This is shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b by means of example. This embodiment variant has the advantage that the individual chain links of the engagement chain 45 automatically run at the same speed as the links of the transport chain. Upon engagement of the engagement elements 45 with the gear wheel 52 of the transport mandrel 33 and upon the indicated same speed of the engagement mechanism 45 and of the transport mandrel 33, this means that the inherent rotation of the preform 14 about its longitudinal axis is suppressed. Accordingly, the preform 14 can be guided with a fixed orientation in the circumferential direction by means of the heater box 36 formed for the thermal differentiation of a circumferential region. Because the mandrel rotary belt 51 is guided out of engagement with the transport mandrel 33 in the region of the second engagement mechanism 45, it is sufficient to end and to stop the mandrel rotation in this region.

[0063] Essentially, it may be provided, e.g., that the carrier 44 has an engagement element, e.g. a blocking element, which engages the rotary drive body 52 of the transport mandrel 33 in a manner to prevent a rotation, as soon as the carrier 44 is placed in carrying engagement with the transport chain 50 in a cam-controlled manner. The blocking elements would then be moved with the carriers and, e.g., simultaneously placed in engagement and out of engagement. To this end however, the lift-off of the mandrel rotary belt 51 shown in FIG. 6a must take place, e.g., earlier than as shown there. It is also possible for an engagement element of the engagement mechanism 45 to be arranged on each chain link, separate from the carrier 44 but in a similar manner to the carrier 44, with the engagement element likewise being placed in engagement and out of engagement, in a cam-controlled manner, with the rotary drive body 52 of the transport mandrel 33. This can take place at a different time than the carrier engagement with the conveyor chain 50. This would also make it possible to select the number of carriers 44 to be different than the number of engagement elements. It is not necessary for each chain link to have a carrier; this is purely optional. It is only necessary that a sufficient number of carriers be arranged distributed over the chain length in order to ensure continuous carriage. To this end however, 3 or 4 uniformly distributed carriers would be sufficient.

[0064] FIGS. 6a and 6b show how the carriers 44 discussed in the previous paragraph can be formed in a special embodiment, with omission of the upper component. The lower chain unit 54 has carriers 44 that can be moved in the radial direction, which are held, e.g., spring-loaded in a position pulled radially inward. Upon reaching an external control curve 43, the carriers 44 are pressed radially outward and reach traction engagement with the transport means 33 of the transport chain. Such a solution is considered to be advantageous, because the carriers 44 cannot simply swivel into the linearly moved transport chain 50. The engagement of the carriers 44 can take place, e.g., only in the linear circumferential region 42.

[0065] FIG. 8 shows a further detail of a second engagement mechanism 45. This engagement mechanism 45 consists of multiple engagement elements 63, which are formed by an external control curve 56 in a cam-controlled manner. In a first region 57 of this control curve 56, the engagement elements 63 are out of engagement with the gear wheel 52 of the transport mandrel 33. In a second region 58 of the control curve 56, a swivel lever 59 is actuated, which has inner toothing 60 and which drives a pinion 61. The details regarding this are more easily seen in FIG. 9. In particular, it can be seen that this pinion 61 sits on a common shaft 62 with a belt pulley segment 63. The swivel movement of the swivel lever 59 leads to a rotation of the pinion 61. The rotation of the pinion 61 is matched by the belt pulley segment 63. In the first region 57 of the control curve 56, this belt pulley segment 63 is out of engagement with the gear wheel 52 of the transport mandrel 33. In the second region 58 of the control curve 56, the swivel lever 59 swivels, the pinion 61 thereby rotates, and the belt pulley segment 63 thereby reaches engagement with the gear wheel 52 of the transport mandrel 33. Retaining this position means that the gear wheel 52 is held, and the transport mandrel 33 and the preform 14 being held thereby are maintained in a non-rotatable manner.

[0066] This design further enables the transport mandrel 33 and the preform 14 being held thereby to be maintained not only in a non-rotatable manner but specifically to twist about a certain angle of rotation, namely when the swivel movement of the swivel lever 59 is designed such that the belt pulley segment 63 not only holds the gear wheel 52 in a certain position but rather the swivel lever 59 could be more strongly swiveled, for example, in a third region of the control curve 56 in that the pinion 61 thereby rotates even further and the belt pulley segment 63 thereby rotates even further such that, as a result of the comb-like engagement with the gear wheel 52 of the transport mandrel 33, this gear wheel 52 and thus also the transport mandrel 33 is twisted about a certain angle. This can be used, e.g., as a preform alignment device, because the preform 14 should be inserted into the forming station 16 in a certain alignment and must possibly have to be rotated specifically for this.

[0067] A plurality of further suitable alignment devices for preforms are known in the prior art, e.g., devices interacting with alignment structures on the preform or with optical markings on the preform. WO 2016/180510 A1 shows examples and mentions examples in the prior art, which are essentially suitable also as preform alignment devices for the present invention in order to align the thermally differentiated circumferential region of the preform in the desired manner for transfer to the forming stations. Reference is explicitly made with regard to this to the content of WO 2016/180510 A1 and to the content of the documents mentioned therein as the prior art.