Apparatus for Forming Plastic Preforms into Plastic Containers with Change Device in Modular Construction

Abstract

Apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers with a transport device which transports the plastic preforms along a predefined transport path, wherein the transport device has a movable station carrier on which a plurality of forming stations are arranged, wherein these forming stations each have blow-moulding devices, each forming cavities within which the plastic preforms can be formed into plastic containers, and the blow-moulding devices are arranged on respective blow-mould carriers, wherein the apparatus has a clean room inside which the plastic preforms can be formed into the plastic containers, isolated from a non-sterile environment by at least one wall. The apparatus has a change device which is suitable and intended for at least removing the blow-moulding devices from their blow-mould carriers and/or arranging blow-moulding devices on the blow-mould carriers, wherein this change device is integrated in a module which can be separated from the clean room.

Claims

1. An apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers with a transport device which transports the plastic preforms along a predefined transport path, wherein the transport device has a movable station carrier on which a plurality of forming stations are arranged, wherein these forming stations each have blow-moulding devices, each forming cavities within which the plastic preforms can be formed into plastic containers, and said blow-moulding devices are arranged on respective blow-mould carriers, wherein the apparatus has a clean room inside which the plastic preforms can be formed into the plastic containers, and this clean room is isolated from a non-sterile environment by means of at least one wall, wherein the apparatus has a change device which is suitable and intended for at least removing the blow-moulding devices from their blow-mould carriers and/or arranging blow-moulding devices on the blow-mould carriers, wherein this change device is integrated in a module which can be separated from the clean room, and the change device is arranged inside a lock room which can be brought into connection with the clean room of the forming device, wherein the module of the change device itself forms this lock room, and the change device is situated inside the lock room with further devices such as a magazine for blow-moulding devices, and the lock room can be isolated gas-tightly from a (non-sterile) environment in order to be able to maintain sterile conditions inside this lock room.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a closing mechanism to close a connection between the lock chamber and the clean room.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change device has a magazine device for receiving blow-moulding devices.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a device for loading the lock room with a sterilisation medium.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a sterilisation device for sterilising plastic preforms or plastic containers.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the module has a protection element for isolating the module from the environment.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the module is movable relative to the forming device.

8. A method for operating a forming device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, wherein in a working mode of the apparatus, the plastic preforms are transported by a plurality of forming stations along a predefined transport path, and by loading with a fluid medium are expanded into plastic containers, wherein to expand the plastic preforms, blow-moulding devices are used, inside which the plastic preforms are expanded into plastic containers, wherein in a change mode, at least one of the blow-moulding devices is removed from the apparatus and/or one of the blow-moulding devices is arranged on a blow-mould carrier of the apparatus, wherein to change the blow-moulding devices, a change device is used and this change device is integrated in a module which can be separated from the clean room, and the change device is arranged inside a lock room which can be brought into connection with the clean room of the forming device, wherein the module of the change device itself forms this lock room, and the change device is situated inside the lock room with further devices such as a magazine for blow-moulding devices, and the lock room can be isolated gas-tightly from a (non-sterile) environment in order to be able to maintain sterile conditions inside this lock room.

Description

[0050] Further advantages and embodiments arise from the enclosed drawings. These show:

[0051] FIG. 1 a diagrammatic depiction of an apparatus according to the invention for producing plastic containers;

[0052] FIG. 2 a depiction of an apparatus according to the invention with change device;

[0053] FIG. 3 a further depiction of a blow-moulding device with change device; and

[0054] FIG. 4 a perspective view of a blow-moulding machine with change device.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic depiction of a plant 100 for producing plastic containers. A heating device 70 is provided, into which plastic preforrns 10 are introduced. Inside this heating device 70, which in particular is an infrared oven, the plastic preforms are heated and then discharged with a transport device 76 such as a discharge wheel. Instead of an infrared heating device however, a microwave heating device could also be used. It would also be possible for an injection moulding machine to be provided which produces plastic preforms 10.

[0056] Reference sign 6 designates a sterilisation device which serves to sterilise the plastic preforms 10. A clean room 20 is already formed in the region of the sterilisation device 6. After sterilisation, the plastic preforms 10 are transferred via a transport star 72 to the actual forming device 1. This forming device 1, as stated above, comprises a plurality of forming stations or blowing stations 8 which load the plastic preforms 10 with blowing air to expand them. This forming also takes place inside the clean room 20. The clean room is here to isolated from an environment by means of a wall 21. Reference sign 44 designates the transport path of the plastic containers during their expansion. This transport path preferably runs in a circle. Each forming station here has a blow-mould carrier 16 (shown merely diagrammatically) on which a blow-moulding device 14 is arranged. This blow-moulding device here preferably consists of two side parts and a base part

[0057] The now finished containers 10a are discharged by means of a discharge star 74. Then the containers 10a are transported further by means of transport devices 32 and 34, and in particular transported to a filler device 80 in which they are filled. Optionally, it would also be conceivable here to provide a sterilisation device 60 which sterilises the containers 10a. Reference sign 92 designates a supply device vvhich supplies closures to the containers in order to close them. Reference sign 36 designates a transport device which transports the filled containers from the filler device 80 to the closing device.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic depiction of an apparatus 1 according to the invention with change device. Here, the heating device is still only shown partially or diagrammatically. This apparatus here comprises the change device, designated as a whole with sign 50, or the module 50 with the change device 40. The change device forms a lock room 30 which is surrounded by several walls 52 and 54. The actual change robot 40 has a gripper device 48 which serves to grip the blow-moulding devices. Reference sign 56 designates an operating device such as a touch panel which serves to operate the change device 40 without needing to penetrate the lock room 30.

[0059] Reference sign 44 designates a magazine device in which blow-moulding devices are received. It is evident that a user 120 may advance this magazine device 44 in a predefined direction P. This direction here runs parallel to longitudinal direction of the heating device. To introduce the magazine 44, ea wall delimiting the lock morn 30 may be opened.

[0060] In addition, the nodule 50 also has a cover in order to delimit the lock room 30 completely. Reference sign 46 indicates roughly diagrammatically a device for applying a sterilisation medium to the lock room or to elements present in the lock room 30, such as the magazine device 44 or the change device 40. It would be possible for a plurality of such devices which serve for sterilisation to be provided inside the lock room.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a more detailed depiction of the apparatus according to the invention. Here we see the transport device 2 on which the individual forming stations 8 are transported. Reference sign 33 designates a centring device which positions the transport device 2 relative to the change device 40 or the gripper arm 48. Reference signs 82, 84 designate a connecting device via which the lock room 30 or the change module is coupled to the blow-moulding device. Via this connecting device, a connection can be created between the two regions. This connection is preferably gas-tight against the environment U. Furthermore, preferably, a closing mechanism is provided with which the connection between the lock room 30 and the clean room 20 of the forming device can be interrupted. Reference sign 14 designates an individual blow-moulding device. The lock room 30 can also be opened via a connecting door 62 so that the user is able to intervene. Preferably, a closing mechanism is provided on the side of the module 50 in order to delimit the lock room, and also on the side of the forming device 1. Thus it would be possible that these two closing mechanisms not shown) are closed and then the module 50 removed from the forming device 1 without having to open the clean room 20 or the lock room 30.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention. Here again, a door 88 can be seen which may be opened so that the user can introduce a magazine device into tire lock room 30. The cover portion delimiting the lock room is not shown here.

[0063] The applicant reserves the right to claim as essential to the invention all features disclosed in the application documents insofar as they are novel individually or in combination in relation to the prior art. It is also pointed out that features are described in the individual figures which may be advantageous taken in themselves. The person skilled in the art will immediately understand that a specific feature described in one figure may also be advantageous without using further features this figure. Furthermore, the skilled person will find that advantages may also be obtained by a combination of several features shown in individual or in different figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0064] 2 Transport device [0065] 6 Sterilisation device [0066] 8 Forming stations [0067] 10 Plastic preforms [0068] 10a Containers [0069] 14 Individual blow-moulding device [0070] 16 Blow-mould carrier [0071] 20 Clean room [0072] 21 Wall [0073] 30 Lock room [0074] 32, 34, 36 Transport devices [0075] 33 Centring device [0076] 40 Change robot [0077] 44 Transport path/magazine device [0078] 48 Gripper device [0079] 50 Change device [0080] 52, 54 Walls [0081] 56 Operating device/touch panel [0082] 60 Sterilisation device [0083] 62 Connecting door [0084] 70 Heating device [0085] 72 Transport star [0086] 74 Discharge star [0087] 76 Transport device [0088] 80 Filler device [0089] 82, 84 Connecting device [0090] 86 Door [0091] 92 Supply device [0092] 100 Plant [0093] 120 User [0094] P Predefined direction