Aseptic blow mold with rear exhaust gas channels, and method for forming containers under aseptic conditions

Abstract

Disclosed is a blow mold for shaping plastic preforms into containers having a first and second side part, which are movable relative to one another and, in an assembled state, enclose a cavity at least in sections, within which a plastic preform can be expanded to form a plastic container, wherein the first and/or second side part has at least one channel configured for conveying fluids and extends from an inner surface defining the cavity to an opposite outside surface, and a second channel connected to the first channel extending in sections along the outside surface of the first and/or second side part, wherein the first and/or second channel in a state of the blow mold, in which shaping of a plastic preform into a plastic container within the blow mold is possible, is in fluid connection with a clean room at least on one side.

Claims

1. A blow mold for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers having a first side part and a second side part, which are movable relative to one another and, in an assembled state, enclose a cavity at least in sections, within which a plastic preform can be expanded to form a plastic container, wherein the first and/or second side part has at least one first channel which is configured for conveying a fluid and extends from an inner surface defining the cavity to an opposite outside surface, and a second channel which is in fluid connection with the first channel and extends at least in sections along the outside surface of the first and/or second side part, wherein the first channel and/or the second channel in a state of the blow mold, in which shaping of a plastic preform into a plastic container within the blow mold is possible, is in fluid connection with a clean room at least on one side.

2. The blow mold according to claim 1, wherein the first channel is a penetration through a wall of the first and/or second side part, which wall at least partially surrounds the cavity.

3. The blow mold according to claim 1, wherein the second channel is an open channel which is designed as a depression in an outside surface of the first and/or second side part.

4. The blow mold according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second side part has multiple first channels and/or second channels, wherein multiple first channels are in fluid connection with a second channel.

5. The blow mold according to claim 1, wherein at least the first or second side part has a fastening section to which an adapter element can be releasably attached, wherein the adapter element allows for at least one side part to be exchanged fully automatically and/or semi-automatically, wherein the adapter element can be fixed and/or released pneumatically relative to a blow mold carrier, and/or the adapter element can be gripped by a robot device for releasing and/or fixing the side part relative to a blow mold carrier.

6. The blow mold according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second side part has at least one fastener for connecting the side part to a blow mold carrier, wherein said adapter element is sealed with respect to at least one of the first and/or second channels.

7. The blow mold according to claim 6, wherein the adapter element is releasable and/or lockable relative to the blow mold carrier for an automated blow mold exchange, and/or the first and/or second side part has at least one machine-readable data storage element which is selected from a group comprising a non-volatile memory, an RFID marking, an optical 2D code, DataMatrix code Han-Xin code, JAB code, MaxiCode, DotCode or Aztec code, optical one-dimensional code EAN-X, UPC-X or 2/5 Interleaved, and a three-dimensional code.

8. The blow mold according to claim 1, wherein the blow mold can be fastened directly to the blow mold carrier, and no pressure pad is located between the blow mold and the blow mold carrier.

9. The blow mold according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second side part has multiple first channels and/or second channels, wherein each of these channels is spaced apart from the closest channel not more than 100 mm.

10. A method for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers within a clean room, wherein inserting a preform into a blow mold having a first side part and a second side part, which can be moved relative to one another, guiding the first side part and the second side part toward each other up to an assembled state in which a cavity encloses the plastic preform, introducing a medium into an inner volume of the plastic preform and expanding the plastic preform to form a plastic container, wherein a fluid arranged in the cavity between an outer wall of the plastic preform and an inner wall of the first and/or second side part flows out through a first channel, which extends from an inner surface of the first and/or second side part defining the cavity to an opposite outside surface of the first and/or second side part, and is discharged into the clean room via a second channel which is in fluid connection with the first channel and extends at least in sections along the outside surface of the first and/or second side part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] In the figures:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a blow mold in a closed state;

[0039] FIG. 2a shows yet another schematic illustration of a blow mold in a closed state;

[0040] FIG. 2b shows a schematic illustration of adapter elements to be attached to a blow mold;

[0041] FIG. 3a shows a sectional view of a blow mold 1 in the closed state;

[0042] FIG. 3b shows a sectional view of a blow mold 1 in which a preform is shown as well.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a blow mold 1 in a closed state. Plastic preforms can be expanded to form plastic containers in a cavity (not shown) enclosed by the blow mold 1. The blow mold 1 comprises a first side part 2 and a second side part 3, which can be moved relative to one another in order to open or close the blow mold. The blow mold 1 is closed in the example shown, and the two side parts 2, 3 abut against each other at the contact point 6. When open, the two side parts 2, 3 contact at least not along the entire contact surface 6.

[0044] In the example shown, both the first and the second side part have multiple first channels 4 suitable and provided for conducting a fluid. These first channels extend from an inner surface defining the cavity to an opposite outside surface A.sub.2, A.sub.3. Each of the first channels 4 opens into one of the multiple second channels 5, which are thus in fluid connection with at least one first channel 4. The second channels 5 extend, at least in sections, along the outside surface A.sub.2, A.sub.3 of the first and/or second side part.

[0045] In the closed state of the blow mold 1, in which shaping of a plastic preform (not shown in this figure) to form a plastic container within the blow mold is possible, each first channel 4 (possibly via one or more second channels 5) and each second channel is in fluid connection with a clean room 100 at least on one side. This fluid connection also exists when the first and the second side part are arranged in a blow mold carrier (not shown). Such a blow mold carrier contacts an outside surface A.sub.2, A.sub.3 of the first and/or second side part 2, 3 and preferably also delimits one or more second channels 5, at least in sections, in their radial extension. The blow mold carrier thus preferably forms a radially outside wall of the second channel 5, which in the example shown is designed as a depression, groove or furrow in the outside surface A.sub.2, A.sub.3 of the first and/or second side part 2, 3.

[0046] The connection of the second channel 5 to the clean room 100 can be ensured in that a corresponding hollow or bore in the blow mold carrier provides a fluid connection to the clean room.

[0047] The blow mold shown in FIG. 1 is equipped with adapter elements 10, 11 and 12. Such adapter elements 10-12 make it possible to optionally equip a blow mold 1 such that it cannot only be placed by a user (possibly by means of tools) in a blow mold carrier, but that the fixing of the blow mold 1 in a blow mold carrier takes place via at least one of the adapter elements 10-12, which can preferably be fixed without tools in a corresponding receptacle of the blow mold carrier. Fixing of the adapter element in the blow mold carrier can take place, for example, via the adapter element 12, which, when pneumatically activated, is held in a corresponding receptacle of the blow mold carrier. The adapter elements can therefore also serve as fastening means for fastening the blow mold in a blow mold carrier.

[0048] The adapter elements 10 and 11 shown in FIG. 1 are designed as separate adapter elements 10, 11 so that they can be moved relative to one another together with the side parts 2, 3, for example in order to open the blow mold. FIG. 1 further shows reception regions 13, 14, in which a further adapter element pair 13, 14 (not shown in FIG. 1) can be inserted.

[0049] In the example shown, the adapter element pair 10 and 11 has contact elements 20 which can be gripped by a gripping device of a robot. In the example shown, these contact elements 20 are each arranged on the adapter elements 10 or 11 and can thus be connected to the blow mold 1, if necessary. The contact elements 20 enable a gripping device (not shown) of a set-exchanging robot to pick up the side parts 2, 3 and remove them from the blow mold carrier or insert them into the latter. The geometry of the contact elements 20 can be characteristic of a specific blow mold geometry so that, for example, only those blow molds 1 which correspond to a predetermined geometry can be picked up and held by a gripping device of a robot that is designed to be complementary to the contact elements 20.

[0050] FIG. 1 further shows a sealing element 30 which can, at least in sections, seal a fastening means 18 for fastening the blow mold in a blow mold carrier, here by means of the adapter element 12, relative to the clean room. It can thus be achieved that the fastening means 12 itself is not arranged in the clean room and therefore also does not have to meet the particular requirements with regard to resistance to the repeated application of sterilization agents and/or temperature.

[0051] Reference sign 40 designates a base carrier which closes the blow mold 1 in the region of the container base to be formed in the closed state.

[0052] FIG. 2a shows yet another schematic illustration of a blow mold 1 in a closed state. As in FIG. 1, the first 4 and second channels 5 of both side parts 2, 3 can be seen. The channels 5 extend on the outer surfaces A.sub.2, A.sub.3 of these two side parts 2, 3, wherein the channels 5 are open on the radially outer side, so that the first channels 4 formed as bores in the radially inner walls of the second channels 5 can be seen.

[0053] In the illustration according to FIG. 2a, the blow mold 1 is shown without adapter elements 10-14. In the fastening regions 15, 19, in which the adapter element pairs 10 and 11 or 13 and 14 can be arranged, the receptacles 16 (preferably screw threads) can be seen, which can accommodate fastening means for fastening the adapter elements 10, 11, 13, 14 such as screws, for example. In this embodiment too, the blow mold 1 can be fixed in a blow mold carrier (not shown). To this end, the fastening element 18 must usually be fixed by a user in the blow mold using a suitable tool.

[0054] Couplings, for example, can be arranged on the fastening element 18, which enable, for example, parts of the blow mold 1 and, in particular, the blow mold 1 to be automatically released from the blow mold carrier.

[0055] In FIG. 2a, too, reference sign 40 designates a base carrier which seals the blow mold in the region of the container base to be formed in the closed state.

[0056] FIG. 2b is a schematic view of adapter elements 10-14 for attachment to a blow mold 1 as shown in FIG. 2a. The adapter elements 10 and 13 are each configured and provided for fastening to side part 3, whereas the adapter elements 11 and 14 are configured and provided for fastening to side part 2. These adapter elements 10 and 11 as well as 13 and 14 are in each case preferably designed substantially semicircular so that the adapter element pairs 10 and 11 as well as 13 and 14, when attached to the blow mold, in each case enclose a section of the blow mold in a circular manner in the closed state.

[0057] In order to fasten the adapter elements 10, 11, 13 and 14 to the respective side parts 2, 3 or in the fastening regions 15, 19, bores 22 are provided which can be brought into overlap with the bores 16 in the associated blow mold parts 2, 3, and can serve, for example, for attaching a screw fastening. In order to simplify the alignment of the bores 22 and 16, centering pins 24 are provided which can engage in corresponding recesses 16 in the first and/or second side part 2, 3 or in their fastening regions 15, 19.

[0058] Reference sign 12 designates a further adapter element which is arranged in particular on the fastening section 18 that is located on the outer circumference of the blow mold 1 or of the two side parts 2, 3. Fastening mechanisms, in particular, can be automatically (preferably pneumatically) closed and/or released by means of this adapter element 12.

[0059] FIG. 3a shows a sectional view of a blow mold 1 in the closed state. It has two side parts 3 and 3 as well as a base part 40. This base part 40 is held by the two side parts, which can take place in particular by means of a form fit. Fixing means for holding the base part 2 are integrated in each of the side parts 2, 3.

[0060] FIG. 3a also shows the first channels 4 designed as bores, which open out on the inner sides I.sub.2 and I.sub.3 of the two side parts 2, 3. Also, depressions which form the second channels can be seen on the outer sides A.sub.2 and A.sub.3 of both side parts 2, 3.

[0061] FIG. 3b also shows a preform 60 by which the volume 110 is defined that is arranged between its outer side A.sub.60 and the inner sides I.sub.2 and I.sub.3 of the two side parts 2, 3. When the preform 60 expands to form a container which in the radial direction comes up to the inner sides I.sub.2 and I.sub.3 of the two side parts 2, 3, the entire fluid which was previously arranged in said volume 110 must be discharged. This can be done in a particularly low-resistance and homogeneous manner via the plurality of first and second channels 4, 5.

[0062] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that they are novel over the prior art individually or in combination. It is also pointed out that features which can be advantageous in themselves are also described in the individual figures. The person skilled in the art will immediately recognize that a particular feature described in a figure can be advantageous even without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can also result from a combination of several features shown in individual or in different figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0063] 1 Blow mold [0064] 2 First side part [0065] 3 Second side part [0066] 4 First channel [0067] 5 Second channel [0068] 6 Contact point, contact surface [0069] 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, Adapter elements [0070] 15 Fastening region [0071] 16 Receptacle, screw thread, bore [0072] 18 Fastening section, fastening means, fastening element [0073] 19 Fastening region, fastening section [0074] 20 Contact element, projection [0075] 22 Bore [0076] 24 Centering pin [0077] 30 Sealing element [0078] 40 Base carrier [0079] 60 Preform [0080] 100 Clean room [0081] 110 (Fluid) volume (to be displaced) [0082] I.sub.2, I.sub.3 (Radially) inside surface of the side parts, [0083] A.sub.2, A.sub.3 (Radially) outside surface of the side parts, [0084] A.sub.60 (Radially) outside surface of the preform