CHANGING BLOW MOULDS IN BLOW MOULDING MACHINES

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for transforming plastic parisons into plastic containers, having a transport device which transports plastic parisons along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has a movable station support, on which a plurality of transforming stations are arranged, wherein said transforming stations each have blow mould devices, which each have cavities within which the plastic parisons can be transformed into the plastic containers, and said blow mould devices are each arranged on blow mould supports, and the apparatus has a changing device, which is suitable and intended at least to remove the blow mould devices from the blow mould supports thereof and/or to arrange blow mould devices on the blow mould supports. According to the invention, the changing device has an identification device for identifying blow moulds and/or blow mould parts, wherein the identification device preferably has an RFID detection device.

Claims

1. System for transforming plastic parisons to plastic containers with a transport device which transports the plastic parisons along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has a movable station support on which a plurality of transforming stations are arranged, wherein these transforming stations each have blow mould devices which each form cavities within which the plastic parisons can be transformed into the plastic containers and these blow mould devices are each disposed on blow mould supports, and the system has a changing device which is suitable and intended in order at least to remove the blow mould devices from their blow mould supports and/or to arrange blow mould devices on the blow mould supports, wherein the changing device has an identification device for identifying blow moulds and/or blow mould parts, wherein the identification device preferably has an RFID detection device.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein at least one blow mould device has an RFID element which can be read by an RFID detecting device.

3. System according to claim 1, wherein the changing device has at least two gripping devices for gripping blow mould devices, wherein at least one of these two gripping devices is suitable both for gripping blow mould devices formed of a plurality of blow mould parts and also for gripping individual blow mould parts.

4. System according to claim 3, wherein both gripping devices are suitable both for gripping blow mould devices formed of a plurality of blow mould parts and also for gripping individual blow mould parts.

5. System according to claim 3, wherein the two gripping devices are arranged on a common rotatable and/or pivotable carrier.

6. System according to claim 3, wherein the changing device has a position detecting device for detecting a geometric position of blow moulds and/or blow mould parts.

7. Method for operating a transforming device for transforming plastic parisons to plastic containers, wherein in a working operation of the system the plastic parisons are transported by means of a plurality of transforming stations along a predetermined transport path and are expanded by application of a flowable medium to form the plastic containers, wherein for expanding the plastic parisons blow mould devices are used, in the interior of which the plastic parisons are expanded to form the plastic containers, wherein in a changing mode at least one of the blow mould devices of the system is removed and/or one of the blow mould devices is disposed on a blow mould support of the system, wherein for changing the blow mould devices a changing device is used and by means of at least one identification device at least one part of at least one blow mould device to be changed is identified.

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein at least one gripping device grips at least one blow mould device in an upper region relative to a longitudinal direction of the blow mould device.

9. Method according to claim 7, wherein the changing device grips a plurality of blow mould parts by means of two gripping devices.

10. Method according to claim 7, wherein blow mould devices are removed from transforming stations, wherein a removal movement perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the blow mould parts takes place at least temporarily

11. Method according to claim 7, wherein a position of at least one blow mould device is detected.

12. Method according to claim 7, wherein at least one gripping device is equipped alternately with a blow mould device to be removed from the transforming station and a blow mould device to be arranged on the transforming station.

13. Method according to claim 7, wherein base parts of the blow mould device are turned with respect to an axis which is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the containers.

Description

[0075] Further advantages and embodiments are disclosed by the appended drawings.

[0076] In the drawings:

[0077] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system according to the invention;

[0078] FIG. 2 shows a representation of the system with illustrated changing device;

[0079] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the system shown in FIG. 2;

[0080] FIG. 4 shows a further representation of the system shown in FIG. 2;

[0081] FIG. 5 shows a further representation of the system shown in FIG. 2 in a further operating position;

[0082] FIG. 6 shows a representation of a transforming station;

[0083] FIG. 7 shows a representation of a mould shell for a blow mould device;

[0084] FIG. 8 shows a representation of a changing device;

[0085] FIG. 9 shows a representation of a gripping device for gripping a blow mould device;

[0086] FIG. 10 shows a representation of a changing device with a blow mould device;

[0087] FIG. 11 shows a representation for illustration of possible positions of the changing device;

[0088] FIG. 12 shows a representation of a magazine with a blow mould device;

[0089] FIGS. 13a-13 h representation for illustration of a partial change of a blow mould device;

[0090] FIGS. 14a, b show two representations of a gripping device;

[0091] FIGS. 15a, b show two further representations of a gripping device;

[0092] FIG. 16 shows a representation of a system according to the invention with two protection regions;

[0093] FIG. 17 shows a representation of a changing device with two gripping devices; and

[0094] FIG. 18 shows a representation of the gripping device according to FIG. 17 in another state of occupation.

[0095] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system 1 for transforming plastic parisons into plastic containers. In this case the plastic parisons are delivered to the individual transforming stations 8 and expanded to form plastic containers 20. After this expansion the plastic containers removed again from the system. For this purpose a delivery starwheel can be provided which delivers the plastic parisons to the system 1 and also onto a discharge device, in particular likewise a transport starwheel, which discharges the finished containers from the system. The system 1 has a station support 12 on which a plurality of transforming stations 8 are disposed. This station support may be for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a blow 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 mould device 14. This blow mould device 14 is composed of two side parts and a base part. These blow mould devices can be replaced according to the invention. In this case the blow mould devices 14 are disposed on blow mould supports 16 arranged and can be removed therefrom or disposed thereon.

[0096] The reference sign 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 sign 6 identifies a base support on which the station support 12 is rotatably mounted. The changing device 40 is also disposed on or adjacent to the base support 6. Thus the changing device 40 can be integrated in the system. The reference sign 18 identifies a housing, which at least partially surrounds the station support 12, but which preferably, as shown below, can also enclose or house the changeover device 40.

[0097] The reference sign W designates a changing position. As mentioned above, the blow mould 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 at this changing position the old blow mould devices can be removed and preferably also new blow mould devices can be delivered. The reference sign 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.

[0098] FIG. 2 shows a perspective representation of a system 1, which merely shows a transforming device or transforming station 8. The station support on which this is disposed is likewise not illustrated here. Furthermore the base support 6 can be seen, on which the changing device 40 is disposed. This changing device 40 has a first swiveling arm 56 as well as a second swiveling arm 54. By means of an articulation and driving connection these two arms can be connected to one another so as to swivel.

[0099] The reference sign 52 designates a gripping device which serves in order to grip and to transport the blow mould devices. This gripping device is in turn disposed so as to swivel on the second arm 54 and is preferably also rotatable. Thus overall the gripping device can swivel about at least three, preferably about at least four axes in space. In addition it would also be possible, as illustrated by the rectangle shown by a broken line, that a plurality of changing devices are provided, wherein these are in particular disposed in each case at least indirectly on the base support 6. In this way the individual blow mould devices could be replaced more quickly in a changing operation.

[0100] The reference sign 46 identifies schematically a detecting device which detects forces acting on the changing device 40 or the gripping device 52 in order thus to switch off in an emergency. The system advantageously has a plurality of such detecting devices, wherein preferably each one is associated with an individual driving device which effects a movement of the changing device 40 or of the gripping device 52. These detecting devices may for example be force measuring devices which actually determine forces, torques and the like. However, it would also be possible that the forces are determined from parameters of the respective drive, for instance from flows or the like.

[0101] The reference sign B identifies a user who operates the system. Advantageously during operation of the changing device the user cannot move in regions which can be reached by the changing device 40.

[0102] The reference sign 22 identifies a control device for controlling the changing device. The reference sign 42 identifies a control device for controlling the transforming device. In this case these two control devices can interact with one another, in particular for a changing operation for replacement of the blow mould devices. In this case it is possible that in a normal working operation of the system the changing device 40 moves into a rest position in which the changing device occupies the least possible space.

[0103] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the system shown in FIG. 2. It will be recognised here that the changing device 40 is likewise integrated into the housing 18. In the state shown in FIG. 3 the arm 56 is just swiveled out, so that the gripping device 52 can just grip a blow mould device.

[0104] In addition a magazine device 70 is also illustrated which has a plurality of receiving points 72 for receiving the blow mould devices. In this case these blow mould devices can each be moved into the receiving points or holes 72.

[0105] FIG. 4 shows a further representation of the system according to the invention. It will be seen that here a wall 32 is provided which separates the user B from the changing device 40, so that the user cannot be injured. In addition further movable wall parts 34 can also be provided, so that on the one hand the machine is more easily accessible for maintenance purposes, or on the other hand further changing devices can also be provided, as also illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0106] The representation shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the representation shown in FIG. 3, but here the changing device 40 is in a different operating position. This may for example be a working operation in which the system transforms plastic parisons to form plastic containers. It will be recognised that a recess 18a which also serves to completely receive the changing device 40 can be disposed in the housing 18. In the state shown in FIG. 5 the individual arms of the changing device 40 can be hinged inwards so that the changing device 40 occupies only a small space.

[0107] FIG. 6 shows a representation of a transforming station 8. The blow mould support 16 can be seen here which can have two blow mould support parts 16a, 16b which can swivel apart in order to open and to close the blow mould device 14. Also for the changing operation the two blow mould support parts 16a, 16b can be swiveled apart, in order to be able to remove the blow mould device 14.

[0108] The reference sign 82 designates as a whole a locking device which in the working operation locks the two blow mould support parts 16a and 16b to one another, so that even with greater pressures they do not swivel apart. The reference numeral 66 relates to a projection which in each case is disposed on the two side parts of the blow mould device 14. This projection is designed to be so stable that the entire blow mould device 14 can be supported on this projection. In this case the gripping device or a component of the gripping device can engage behind this projection 66, so that the gripping device 52 can support the blow mould device by means of this projection. By means of holding of the respective side parts of the blow mould device on the projections 66 the blow mould device in its entirety can also be held together.

[0109] FIG. 7 designates a blow mould support shell. This blow mould support shell 15 can be disposed on the blow mould support 16 and in turn can itself receive the blow mould device or parts of the blow mould device. In this case delivery and discharge elements 15a can be provided, in order to deliver media, such as for example temperature control media, to the blow mould shell 15.

[0110] FIG. 8 shows a further representation of the changing device 40. This shows the first arm 56 which can be swiveled with respect to a first axis A1. In addition, however, this arm 56 is also rotatable with respect to a second axis A2. A second arm 54 is disposed on this first arm 56 and in this case the arm 54 can swivel with respect to an axis A3 relative to the first arm 56. Here the two axes A1 and A3 are parallel to one another. However, these axes can also be disposed obliquely or aslant relative to one another. In addition, however, the second arm 54 is also rotatable with respect to a fourth axis A4.

[0111] In order to achieve this respective swiveling and rotary movement with respect to the individual axes and also with respect to the further axes to be described, in each case driving devices, such as in particular, but not exclusively, electric motor-powered drive units can be provided. In addition, however, it would also be conceivable to use pneumatic and/or hydraulic drive units. A gripping device 52 which serves for gripping the blow mould device is provided on the second arm 54. In this case this gripping element can swivel with respect to an axis A5 relative to the arm 54. This axis A5 may be perpendicular to the axis A3 and/or also perpendicular to the axis A4. In addition the gripping device is disposed on the arm 54 via a support 58. The gripping device itself can in turn be rotatable relative to this support 58 with respect to an axis A6.

[0112] By means of this plurality of movements the blow mould devices 14 can be removed from the individual transforming stations and placed onto a support 74 which is shown here as a Europallet. However it would also be possible to introduce the blow mould devices 14 directly into openings provided in a magazine.

[0113] In this case the distance between the magazine device or the pallet 74 and the changing device 40 can be between 1 metre and 2 metres. Also a corresponding radius of action of the changing device may be in the region of 1.5 metres.

[0114] FIG. 9 shows a detail of the changing device 40 or the gripping device 52 thereof. This gripping device may have a guide element 62 which can be guided over a corresponding surface of the blow mould device. In addition projections 64a, 64b can also be provided which serve for centring the changing device 40 or precisely the gripping device relative to the transforming station. The reference sign 63 relates to a recess which is disposed in the guide element 62 and can engage behind the projections for changing the blow mould device. Thus the guide element 62 also serves for supporting the blow mould device 14.

[0115] FIG. 10 shows a view of the changing device with a blow mould device 14 disposed thereon. It will be seen that the gripping arm 52 here engages in two projections 66 which are disposed on the blow mould device 14 and presses these together, so that in this way the blow mould device is held together. Thus the projections 66 also shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 6 which are disposed on the blow mould device 14 serve to hold it together during transport. Thus advantageously above the blow mould device 14 the gripping device 52 engages in elements thereof in order to hold it. This type of engagement in the blow mould device is suitable in a special manner since the blow mould device, as is also shown in FIG. 6, projects beyond its support and in this way can also be gripped in a closed state of the blow mould support 16. Thus it is possible that the changing device or the robot initially grips the blow mould device 14 by means of the projections 66 thereof and only then the blow mould support is opened. In this way it can be ensured that the blow mould device is held securely at any time.

[0116] FIG. 11 shows a further representation of the present invention. Here a plurality of changing devices 40a-40d are provided, by which in each case elements of the system can be changed. In this case it would be possible for example that two of the changing devices (40a, 40b) are provided, in order to change blow mould devices 14, but that also further changing devices are provided which replace other elements such as for example heating mandrels which are located in a kiln 50 for heating the plastic parisons (the changing device 40d). In addition, for example holding elements, such as transfer tongs, which transport the plastic parisons after heating to the transforming device 1, can be changed by means of the changing device 40c.

[0117] FIG. 12 shows a receiving arrangement such as a magazine to receive the blow mould devices 14. This may contain a support plate 75 which has a plurality of openings 77. By means of supports 78 this plate 75 can be arranged on a base support 79, wherein this base support 79 in turn has openings 79a or holes to receive the blow mould devices.

[0118] Advantageously this magazine has the same dimensions as a so-called Europallet and thus preferably dimensions in a range of 1200800 mm. In this case the individual openings 79a are, as shown in FIG. 12, disposed in rows and offset from one another, so that the greatest possible number of blow mould devices can be introduced into the pallet.

[0119] FIGS. 13a-13h illustrate a changing process for a blow mould device, in which the complete blow mould device should not be changed, but only the side parts. In the representation shown in FIG. 13a a complete blow mould device 14 is arranged on a gripping device 52. Here the gripping device 52 removes the entire blow mould device. i.e. both the two side parts 14a and 14b and also the base part 14c, which is mechanically coupled to the side part 14a and 14b, from the blow moulding machine. In a further step the entire blow mould device 14 is set down or arranged on a storage place (not shown) for the base part 14c. In a further process step the gripping device 52 opens, as illustrated in FIG. 13d. For this purpose two retaining elements of the gripping device 52 which are explained in greater detail below can be apart, in order thus also to move the two side parts 14a and 14b apart.

[0120] In the situation illustrated in FIG. 13c, the gripping device 52 with the side parts 14a and 14b still arranged thereon moves upwards. The base part 14c remains at its storage place. In the situation illustrated in FIG. 13d the two side parts 14a and 14b are shown set down in a corresponding store (not shown). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13e, new side parts 14a and 14b are shown removed from the store (not shown). In the situation shown in FIG. 13f these two side parts are moved apart again and, with the gripping device correspondingly opened, are placed above the old base part 14c. This situation is also shown in FIG. 13g. In this situation the two side parts 14a and 14b have been moved downwards and during the subsequent closing of the gripping device 52 the old base part of the two blow mould side parts 14a and 14b is picked up.

[0121] Lastly, the new side parts 14a and 14b as well as the original base part 14c can be fastened again to a mould support (not shown), as illustrated in FIG. 13h.

[0122] The drawings 14a and 14b show a representation of a gripping device, which is also suitable and intended for moving the two side parts apart, in order thus to release the base part. In this case FIG. 14a shows a view from above of the gripping device and FIG. 14b shows a view from below. It will be seen that this gripping device 52 again has the two guide elements 62, in which the cutouts 63 to receive the projections 66 arranged on the side parts are arranged. However, whereas in the embodiment described above this guide element 62 was formed in one piece, in this case two such guide elements 62 are provided which can be moved apart. For this purpose these guide elements 62 (and thus also the cutouts 63) are in each case arranged by means of a carriage 104 on a carrier 102 and can be moved relative thereto. The reference numeral 120 relates to a first driving device, in order to move the guide element shown on the left in FIG. 14a and the reference numeral 130 relates to a driving device in order to move the guide element 62 shown on the right in FIG. 14a. The reference numerals 122, 124, 132 and 134 designate communication connections for connecting a hydraulic or pneumatic medium. In FIG. 14b retaining elements 142 are illustrated, for fastening the gripping device 52 to an arm. In addition, further connections 152, 154 are provided for hydraulic or pneumatic media, in order also to effect further degrees of freedom of movement, such as for instance a pivoting of the guide element 62 as a whole or also linear displacements.

[0123] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 15a and 15b the guide elements 62 are moved apart or moved away from one another. Accordingly the side parts, of which the projections rest in the cutouts 63, are also spaced apart, so thatas explained with reference to FIGS. 13a-13hthe base part can now be removed from the side parts.

[0124] Thus in this embodiment the gripping device 52 enables a relative movement between the guide elements 63 or retaining elements 62, which serve for retaining or guiding the side parts 14a, 14b of the blow mould device 14. In this case the two guide elements 62 are in each case movable in a rectilinear direction, in order thus to distance the side parts of the blow mould device from one another or to advance them towards one another.

[0125] As mentioned above the drives for carrying out this moving of the side parts apart and together are preferably pneumatic drives. Standard magazines can be used as the magazine for storing the blow mould devices.

[0126] FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of a system according to the invention. In this case the transforming device 1 is again illustrated with the rotatable carrier 12. In addition, a delivery device 36 is also provided for supplying the plastic parisons, for instance in the form of a transport starwheel as well as a discharge device 38 for discharging the finished plastic containers or plastic bottles.

[0127] The reference numeral S1 relates to the first protection region, inside which the transforming device 1 is arranged. The reference numeral S2 designates the second protection region, inside which the changing device 40 is arranged. The first protection region S1 is separated from the second protection region S2 by a separating element 160. This separating element 130 (for instance in the form of a shutter) can produce or interrupt a connection between the two protection regions S1 and S2. During operation it is conceivable that the first protection region S1 is closed and the second protection region S2 is opened.

[0128] The reference numeral 140 relates to a first magazine device, in which in this case a plurality of first side parts 14a and second side parts 14b of blow mould devices is arranged. In this case these side parts preferably have identification elements in order to be able to be identified unambiguously by the changing device.

[0129] The reference numeral 145 identifies a second magazine device in which the base parts 14c of the blow mould devices 14 are arranged. These base parts 14c are preferably also unambiguously identifiable.

[0130] FIG. 17 shows a representation of the changing device 40. In this embodiment two gripping devices 52, 53 (not shown in detail) are provided, wherein on one gripping device 52 the two side parts 14a and 14b are arranged as well as also the base part 14c. Thus in this case the entire blow mould device 14 is arranged on the gripping device.

[0131] In the case of the second gripping device 53 only two side parts 148 and 14b are arranged on the gripping device. The reference numeral 182 designates a holding device on which the two gripping devices are arranged. Furthermore, a carrier 184 is provided which serves for carrying the two holding devices. In this case this carrier can be rotated with respect to an axis of rotation Dr, in order to selectively advance the first gripping device 52 or the second gripping device 53 for instance towards the transforming stations.

[0132] The reference numerals 92 and 93 each relate to identification devices which serve for identification of blow mould parts. These identification devices may for example be RFID reading devices which are suitable for reading RFID tags. These identification devices here are arranged on the gripping devices, but they could also be arranged on the carrier 184. On the individual blow mould parts 14a, 14b, 14c identification elements 150 can be arranged enable an unambiguous identification of the individual blow mould devices. These identification elements may for example be RFID tags or the like. Furthermore, the system preferably has a storage device (not shown), in which input data, for instance data which characterise the blow mould devices, can be stored.

[0133] In this case it would be possible to store such data which characterise the blow mould devices, together with positional data of the gripping device store, so that it is possible to ascertain the location (for instance inside a magazine) where a specific blow mould device is currently located.

[0134] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18 two gripping devices 52, 53 are likewise provided, but here one gripping device 52 serves for gripping the two side parts 14a and 14b of the blow mould device and the other gripping device 53 merely serves for gripping a blow mould. As stated, however, each of the two gripping devices 52, 53 is intended as required only for gripping the side parts, only for gripping a base part or for gripping an entire blow mould device comprising two side parts and a base part.

[0135] 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

[0136] 1 system/transforming device [0137] 6 base support [0138] 8 transforming stations [0139] 10 plastic parisons [0140] 12 station support [0141] 14 blow mould device [0142] 14a, 14b side parts of the blow mould device [0143] 14c base part of the blow mould device [0144] 15 blow mould shell [0145] 15a delivery and discharge element for temperature control medium [0146] 16 blow mould support [0147] 16a, 16b blow mould support parts [0148] 18 housing [0149] 18a cutting [0150] 20 plastic containers [0151] 22 control device for controlling the changing device [0152] 32 wall [0153] 34 wall parts [0154] 36 delivery device [0155] 38 discharge device [0156] 40 changing device [0157] 40a-40d changing device [0158] 42 control device for controlling the transforming device [0159] 46 detecting device [0160] 50 kiln [0161] 52 gripping device [0162] 53 gripping device [0163] 54 second swiveling arm [0164] 56 first swiveling arm [0165] 58 carrier [0166] 62 guide element [0167] 63 cutout [0168] 64a, 64b projections [0169] 66 projections [0170] 70 magazine device [0171] 72 holes [0172] 74 carrier/pallet [0173] 75 support plate [0174] 77 openings [0175] 78 carrier [0176] 79 base support [0177] 79a openings/holes [0178] 82 locking device [0179] 120, 130 drives [0180] 140, 145 magazine [0181] 122, 124 communication connections [0182] 132, 134 communication connections [0183] 142, 154 connections [0184] 150 identification element [0185] 160 separating element [0186] 172, 174 side parts [0187] 176 base part [0188] 182 holding device [0189] 184 carrier [0190] 192, 193 identification device [0191] D axis of rotation [0192] Dr axis of rotation of the gripping devices [0193] B user [0194] A1-A6 axes [0195] W changing position [0196] R radial direction [0197] S1 first protection region [0198] S2 second protection region