DE102023120787A1 - Device, forming station and machine for forming containers from preforms - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for forming containers from preforms, comprising at least one movable carrier element (12), at least one outer holding module (14) which is mounted on the carrier element (12), at least one molding tool (18) with a mold contour (20) of at least part of an object to be formed and at least one heating device for the molding tool (18), wherein the heating device has at least one inner holding module (16) on which the molding tool (18) is mounted, wherein the inner holding module (16) is mounted on the outer holding module (14) and the heating device has a heating element (22), in particular an electrical one. The invention thus provides a device (10) which has increased flexibility, reduced complexity and reduced costs.

Description

The invention relates to a device, a forming station and a machine for forming containers from preforms.

Preforms can be used to produce containers, which are then formed into containers after thermal conditioning. Forming tools that have a shape for the contour of the container can be used for the forming. During forming, the preforms are pressed against this contour and take on the intended contour of the container. For some forming processes, particularly when the products are hot-filled, it is necessary for the forming tools to be heated.

For this purpose, DE 696 09 605 T2 It is known to equip a holder for a mold shell, which is mounted on a movable mold carrier, with lines. Liquid cooling or heating agents can be passed through the lines. The mold shell itself has no lines and only serves to provide a contour for the container to be produced.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which has increased flexibility, reduced complexity and reduced costs.

The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

In a device for forming containers from preforms, comprising at least one movable carrier element, at least one outer holding module which is mounted on the carrier element, at least one molding tool with a shape contour of at least part of an object to be formed and at least one heating device for the molding tool, it is provided according to the invention that the heating device has at least one inner holding module on which the molding tool is mounted, wherein the inner holding module is mounted on the outer holding module and the heating device has a, in particular electrical, heating element.

The invention thus provides a device in which the heating device is arranged with an inner holding module between an outer holding module and a mold. Starting from the movable carrier element, the outer holding module can first be mounted and fastened to the carrier element. The inner holding module of the heating device can then be mounted and fastened to the outer holding module. The mold can then be inserted into the inner holding module and also fastened there. The device is thus modular in design, with the connection to the carrier element, the heating of the mold and the forming of the preforms each being carried out with a separate module. The heating device can thus be mounted and operated separately from the mold and separately from the outer holding module. In addition to a flexible exchange of the molds, in which the heating device can remain on the device, the device can also be used to replace the heating device without great effort, for example in the event of a defect. In particular, if the heating device has an electric heating element, a simple exchange can be carried out, in contrast to a heating device that works with liquid heating media, since the complexity of the device is less than in the prior art. This also reduces the risk of failure, as the heating device can be installed and put into operation more easily than in the prior art. The size of the elements to be replaced can also be reduced. If an electric heating element is used, it can be operated more energy efficiently than in the prior art. Furthermore, the invention can be used to cool the outer holding module while simultaneously heating the inner holding module. The cooling function and the heating function are thus separated, which enables simultaneous operation and simplifies maintenance. This makes both the manufacture and operation of the device cost-effective.

The mold can have a negative of the contour of the outer shape or part of the outer shape of the object to be produced. For example, the preform can be formed in a container by stretch blow molding or form filling using the mold. The preform is stretched so that the walls of the preform are pressed against the contour and take on the shape of the container to be produced.

According to one example, the heating element can be integrated into the inner holding module and/or arranged between the inner holding module and the mold.

The heating element can then heat the mold directly. This allows the mold to be heated efficiently.

According to a further example, the molding tool can be attached to the inner holding module, preferably by means of rotatably mounted on the inner holding module or the molding tool. retaining tabs or a quick release mechanism.

This means that the mold can be assembled or disassembled in a very short amount of time. This can reduce the operating costs of the device.

It is further conceivable that the device can, for example, have at least one sensor element for detecting a temperature on the inner holding module.

The sensor element can be used to measure the temperature on the inner holding module in order to control the heating element. This also makes it easier to control the temperature of the mold.

The sensor element can, for example, be integrated into the heating element.

This allows for particularly accurate temperature measurement.

According to another example, the sensor element may be arranged on an outer surface of the inner holding module.

In this example, the sensor element can be separate from the heating device. This is advantageous, for example, if the sensor element is defective, since then only the sensor element needs to be replaced. If the heating element is not arranged between the mold and the inner holding module, a measurement of the surface temperature of the inner holding module can be used to determine the temperature of the mold.

It is further conceivable that the heating element can, for example, have a heating coil which is arranged in a meandering manner on the inner holding module.

The heating coil can be arranged, for example, between the mold and the inner holding module or between the outer holding module and the inner holding module.

Furthermore, the outer holding module can, for example, have at least one cooling device.

Due to its meandering shape, the heating coil can effectively heat a large surface area.

According to a further example, at least one thermal insulation element can be arranged between the outer holding module and the inner holding module.

The thermal insulation element can be used to prevent heat transfer from the inner holding module to the outer holding module. The outer holding module is thus only slightly heated by the inner holding module and the heating element. The thermal insulation element can be made of a plastic, in particular PEEK, for example. In another example, the thermal insulation element can also have an air gap that is arranged between the inner holding module and the outer holding module. In another example, the thermal insulation element can be used to absorb the holding force when closing a forming station when two forming tools are pressed against each other, for example to provide an overall contour of a shell surface of a container to be formed.

The outer holding module can, for example, be designed as an outer shell and/or the inner holding module as an intermediate shell and/or the mold as an inner shell.

The shells can also have a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape, for example. Furthermore, the outer shell and the intermediate shell can each have a receptacle, wherein the receptacle of the outer shell is designed to receive the intermediate shell and the receptacle of the intermediate shell is designed to receive the mold.

The invention further relates to a forming station for forming a container from a preform for a machine for forming containers from preforms, comprising at least two devices according to the preceding description, wherein the movable support elements of the devices are movable relative to one another about preferably a common pivot axis.

Advantages and effects as well as further developments of the forming station result from the advantages and effects as well as further developments of the device and the forming station described above. To avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the previous description in this regard.

The invention also relates to a machine for forming containers from preforms, comprising a rotatably mounted transport wheel and a plurality of forming stations according to the preceding description, wherein the forming stations are arranged distributed on a circumference of the transport wheel, preferably equidistantly.

Advantages and effects as well as further developments of the machine result from the advantages and effects as well as further developments of the device and the forming station described above. To avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the previous description in this regard.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Formen von Behältern aus Vorformlingen;
• 2a-c eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung der Vorrichtung aus 1; und
• 3a, b eine schematische Darstellung einer Außenansicht der Heizeinrichtung;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung einer Maschine zum Formen von Behältern aus Vorformlingen.

In the following, the invention is described using an exemplary embodiment with the aid of the accompanying drawings. They show:

• 1 a schematic representation of a side view of an apparatus for forming containers from preforms;
• 2a -c a schematic cross-sectional view of the device from 1 ; and
• 3a , b a schematic representation of an external view of the heating device;
• 4 a schematic representation of a machine for forming containers from preforms.

The device is referred to in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 as in 1 is shown.

In 1 a device 10 for forming containers from preforms is shown. The device 10 has a movable carrier element 12 that is mounted so that it can move. The carrier element 12 can be mounted so that it can pivot, for example on a machine for forming containers from preforms.

The device 10 is further constructed in a modular manner, whereby the carrier element 12 can have a receptacle in which an outer holding module 14 can be arranged. The outer holding module 14 is thus mounted on the carrier element 12. The outer holding module 14 can further be attached to the carrier element 12, for example according to 2c with fastening elements 46, which can be designed as screws.

How to continue in 1 As shown, the outer holding module 14 can in turn have a second receptacle in which an inner holding module 16 of a heating device can be arranged. The inner holding module 16 is thus mounted on the outer holding module 14. The inner holding module 16 can be fastened to the outer holding module 14 via at least one fastening means 24. The fastening means 24 in this example is designed as a rail which has tabs. The rail is fastened to the outer holding module 14, wherein the tabs protrude into the receptacle and hold the inner holding module 16. The fastening means 24 can, however, also be designed, for example, as a screw or plug fastening or another type of connection between the outer holding module 14 and the inner holding module 16.

The heating device further comprises a heating element 22, which can be designed as an electrical heating element.

The inner holding module 16 can have a third receptacle in which a molding tool 18 can be arranged. The heating device is designed to heat the molding tool 18. By arranging the molding tool 18 in the inner holding module 16, which can be heated by the heating element 22, the molding tool 18 can also be heated. The inner holding module 16 then functions, in addition to its holding function, as a thermal bridge and heat transfer device to the molding tool 18. The molding tool 18 can be heated by means of the heating device to a temperature of, for example, essentially 80 °C to 100 °C, preferably 85 °C to 95 °C, most preferably 90 °C.

The term “substantially” is understood to mean the inclusion of a typical tolerance in the measurement of temperatures.

The mold 18 further comprises a mold contour 20, which provides a negative of the outer mold contour for at least a part of an object to be molded. The mold 18 can further consist of aluminum, for example.

The molding tool 18 can be detachably secured in the inner holding module 16. The fastening can be carried out, for example, by at least one holding tab 28, which can be fastened to the inner holding module 16. The molding tool 18 can have at least one recess 26 with which the at least one holding tab 28 can be brought into engagement.

The at least one retaining tab 28 can, for example, have a length of substantially 5 mm to 50 mm, preferably 20 mm to 30 mm, most preferably 25 mm, in an extension direction.

However, another mechanism can also be provided for fastening the mold 18 to the inner holding module 16. For example, a differently designed quick-release mechanism can be provided.

The mold 18 can be removed from the inner holding module 16 after releasing the retaining tab 28 or the quick-release mechanism. Then another A molding tool 18, which is designed to match the inner holding module 16, can be inserted into the inner holding module 16. The other molding tool 18 can have a different mold contour 20 for a different object to be produced with a different container shape.

The device 10 can further comprise at least one sensor element 32, which can be designed to detect a temperature on the inner holding module 16. The sensor element 32 can be part of the heating device and can be integrated, for example, into the inner holding module 16 or the heating element 22. Alternatively, the sensor element 32 can be an external sensor that can be brought into contact with the inner holding module 16.

Contact with the inner holding module 16 can be made, for example, via an outer surface of the inner holding module 16.

In 2a is a cross section through the device 10 from 1 shown, with cutting direction in 1 is marked as line AA. 2b is a cross-section of the device along the line BB. 2c is a longitudinal section through the device along the line CC.

As from 2a and 2b As can be seen, in this example the outer holding module 14 is designed as a half-shell that can function as an outer shell. The inner holding module 16 is also designed as a half-shell in this example that can function as an intermediate shell. Furthermore, the mold 18 is designed as a half-shell in this example that can function as an inner shell.

The intermediate shell can, for example, have a height in the range of substantially 50 mm to 400 mm, preferably 100 mm to 300 mm, more preferably 150 mm. The thickness of the intermediate shell in the radial direction, starting from the center of the object to be produced, can, for example, be in the range of substantially 5 mm and 50 mm, preferably 10 mm and 30 mm, most preferably 20 mm.

However, it is also conceivable that the outer holding module 14, the inner holding module 16 and the molding tool 18 can have a shape other than a half-shell.

The outer holding module 14 can have a cooling device 34. For this purpose, holes can be arranged in the outer holding module 14, which can function as fluid lines for a liquid coolant, in particular water. The outer holding module 14 can be kept by means of the cooling device 34 essentially, for example, at a temperature of 70 °C to 90 °C, preferably 75 °C to 85 °C, most preferably 80 °C.

At least one thermal insulation element 38 can be arranged between the outer holding module 14 and the inner holding module 16. The thermal insulation element 38 can be designed to thermally decouple the outer holding module 14 from the inner holding module 16 and, if necessary, to absorb forces that act from the molding tool 18 in the direction of the outer holding module 14. These forces can, for example, be holding forces when the molding tool 18 is brought together with another molding tool 18 in order to provide an overall mold contour for a shell surface of a container, for example. Furthermore, an air gap 36 can be arranged between the outer holding module 14 and the inner holding module 16. The air gap 36 and the thermal insulation element 38 can alternate along an extension direction of a surface of the outer holding module 14.

This is from 2c in which only the air gap 36 is shown along the longitudinal section of the device 10.

According to 3a and 3b The heating element 22 can, for example, have a heating cartridge, in particular if the heating element 22 is designed as an electrical heating element.

The heating element 22 can extend on the inner holding module 16 in a meandering manner over a surface of the inner holding module 16. Alternatively or additionally, the inner holding module 16 can have a recess in which the heating element 22 can be arranged. Furthermore, the heating element 22 can be designed as a heating coil 23, which can also be arranged on the inner holding module 16. The heating element 22 can heat the inner holding module 16.

The thermal insulation element 38 can be made, for example, from a plastic, in particular polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The air gap can, for example, be essentially in the range from 0.1 mm to 5 mm, more preferably 0.5 mm to 2 mm, most preferably 1 mm. Furthermore, the thermal insulation element 38 can, for example, have a width in the circumferential direction around the object to be produced in a range from essentially 5 mm to 100 mm, preferably 10 mm to 50 mm, more preferably 30 mm. The extension of the thermal insulation element 38 parallel to a longitudinal axis of the object to be produced can correspond approximately to the height of the object to be produced. In a radial direction, from the center of the object to be produced object, the thermal insulation element 38 can, for example, have a thickness which can be substantially in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm, preferably 3 mm to 7 mm, more preferably 5 mm.

In 3a a second inner holding module 16' is also shown, on which second thermal insulation elements 38', a second heating cartridge 22' and a second heating coil 23' are arranged. The second inner holding module 16' can accommodate a second mold, which is covered here by the two inner holding modules 16, 16'.

Therefore, in this example, the molding tool 18 can be designed to work together with at least two other molding tools to provide an outer mold contour 20 of the entire object to be produced. The molding tool 18 shown here provides a mold contour 20 of one half of a shell of a container. The second molding tool, which can work together with the molding tool 18 shown, can provide the other half of a shell of the container and, as explained above, in 3a be concealed. Furthermore, a bottom mold (not shown), which can be arranged, for example, in a bottom recess 30 of the mold 18, can provide, for example, a mold contour of a bottom region of the container.

The second mold 18 may be part of a second device 10 which can be moved via a second movable support element with respect to the illustrated movable support element 12.

The bottom mold, which can be arranged in the bottom recess 30, can also be mounted on a movable support element and held and heated by an inner holding module. An outer holding module for holding the inner holding module for the bottom mold can also be provided, which is carried by a movable support element.

The illustrated mold 18 and the other molds can be part of a molding station 40 for molding a container from a preform, which as in 4 shown, for example, can be attached to a circumference of a rotatably mounted transport wheel 42 of a machine 50 for forming containers from preforms. The transport wheel 42 can, for example, be rotated about a rotation axis 46.

At least the movable support elements 12, which have the molding tools 18 with the shape contours of the lateral surfaces of the containers, can be mounted so as to be pivotable relative to one another via a common pivot axis 44.

The example described above does not serve to limit the invention in any way. Rather, the invention can be modified in many ways. All of the features of the invention described above can be essential to the invention alone or in combination with one another.

list of reference symbols

10

Device for forming containers from preforms

12

support element

14

outer holding module

16

inner holding module

18

mold

20

shape contour

22

heating element

23

heating coil

24

fasteners

26

recess

28

retaining tab

30

floor recess

32

sensor element

34

cooling device

36

air gap

38

thermal insulation element

40

Forming station for forming a container from a preform

42

transport bike

44

swivel axis

46

fasteners

50

Machine for forming containers from preforms

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 696 09 605 T2 [0003]

Claims (12)

Device (10) for forming containers from preforms, comprising at least one movable carrier element (12), at least one outer holding module (14) which is mounted on the carrier element (12), at least one molding tool (18) with a mold contour (20) of at least part of an object to be molded and at least one heating device for the molding tool (18), characterized in that the heating device has at least one inner holding module (16) on which the molding tool (18) is mounted, wherein the inner holding module (16) is mounted on the outer holding module (14) and the heating device has a, in particular electrical, heating element (22). Device (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the heating element (22) is integrated into the inner holding module (16) and/or arranged between the inner holding module (16) and the molding tool (18). Device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the forming tool (18) is fastened to the inner holding module (16), preferably by means of holding tabs (28) rotatably mounted on the inner holding module (16) or the forming tool (18) or by means of a quick-release mechanism. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) further comprises at least one sensor element (32) for detecting a temperature on the inner holding module (16). Device (10) according to claim 4 , characterized in that the sensor element (32) is integrated into the heating element (22). Device (10) according to claim 4 , characterized in that the sensor element (32) is arranged on an outer surface of the inner holding module (16). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating element (22) has a heating coil (23) which is arranged in a meandering manner on the inner holding module (16). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer holding module (14) has at least one cooling device (34). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one thermal insulation element (38) is arranged between the outer holding module (14) and the inner holding module (16). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer holding module (14) is designed as an outer shell and/or the inner holding module (16) is designed as an intermediate shell and/or the molding tool (18) is designed as an inner shell. Forming station (40) for forming a container from a preform for a machine for forming containers from preforms, comprising at least two devices (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable support elements (12) of the devices (10) are movable relative to one another about preferably a common pivot axis (44). Machine (50) for forming containers from preforms, comprising a rotatably mounted transport wheel (42) and a plurality of forming stations (40) according to claim 11 , wherein the forming stations (40) are arranged distributed on a circumference of the transport wheel (42), preferably equidistantly.

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