Method of manufacturing plastic containers

• US 8,591,779 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2011
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Krones AG (Krones)
• Original Assignee: Krones AG (Krones)
• Inventors: Senn, Konrad, Winzinger, Frank, Aust, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Robert B
• Application Number:
  US13/046,996
• Publication Number:
  US 20110236517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 425/136, 425/522, 425/526, 425/534, 264/40.1, 264/523, 264/535, 264/537, 264/538
• US Class Current: 264/40.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2049/7861 of the preform
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0715 the preform having one end closed
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/006 Blow-moulding plants, e.g. using several blow-moulding apparatuses cooperating
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/06 Injection blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/28012 using several moulds whereby at least one mould is different in at least one feature, e.g. size or shape B29C49/0025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/36 rotatable about one axis
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/4205 Handling means, e.g. transfer, loading or discharging means handling of inserts or reinforcements B29C49/20; handling of linings or labels B29C49/2408
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/42378 Handling malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/4238 Ejecting defective preforms or products
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/42405 Sterilizing
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/42407 Procedures for start-up or material change
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/6409 Thermal conditioning of preforms B29C49/68 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/6445 through the preform length
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/003 PET, i.e. poylethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/046 PLA, i.e. polylactic acid or polylactide
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7158 Bottles

Abstract

A method of manufacturing plastic containers by a blow molding machine, where the blow molding machine is operated such that at least two different plastic containers are output from the blow molding machine within one production cycle.

Claims

1. Method of manufacturing plastic containers by means of a blow molding machine, comprising operating the blow molding machine such that at least two different plastic containers are output from the blow molding machine within a production cycle;

manufacturing the at least two different plastic containers from preforms; and

controlling a heating device of the blow molding machine such that the preforms are heated to different temperatures.

4. Method according to claim 1, and introducing the preforms into the blow molding machine in a predetermined sequence.

5. Method according to claim 1, and moving the preforms through the blow molding machine on at least partially different transport sections.

6. Method according to claim 1, and moving the preforms through the blow molding machine at different speeds.

9. Method according to claim 1, and manufacturing the preforms.

10. Method according to claim 1, and sterilizing the preforms.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a preform which is introduced into the blow molding machine;

determining whether the preform is suited for being processed in the blow molding machine; and

if it is determined that the preform is not suited for being processed in the blow molding machine, then, at least one of;

stopping the production of plastic containers;

emitting a warning message; and

/or

ejecting the preform; and

if it is determined that the preform is suited for being processed in the blow molding machine;

generating a signal to a control means of the blow molding machine indicating that the processing of the preform can take place in the blow molding machine, and/or

determining at least one treatment parameter in the blow molding machine with which the preform is treated.

14. Method according to claim 1, wherein the performs are manufactured from one of different performs or performs of the same kind.

15. Method according to claim 9, wherein the manufacturing comprises injection molding.

16. Method according to claim 10, wherein the sterilizing differs for different performs.

17. Method according to claim 13, wherein in emitting a warning message, the warning message is directed to an operator.

19. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

detecting a preform which is introduced into the blow molding machine;

determining whether the preform is suited for being processed in the blow molding machine; and

if it is determined that the preform is not suited for being processed in the blow molding machine, then, at least one of;

stopping the production of plastic containers;

emitting a warning message; and

/or

ejecting the preform; and

if it is determined that the preform is suited for being processed in the blow molding machine;

generating a signal to a control means of the blow molding machine indicating that the processing of the preform can take place in the blow molding machine, and/or

determining at least one treatment parameter in the blow molding machine with which the preform is treated.

2. Method of manufacturing plastic containers by means of a blow molding machine, comprising operating the blow molding machine such that at least two different plastic containers are output from the blow molding machine within a production cycle;

manufacturing the at least two different plastic containers from preforms; and

allocating the preforms to different treatment units.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the blow molding machine comprises at least two blow molding stations, and controlling the blow molding machine such that the preforms are allocated to different blow molding stations.

18. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

detecting a preform which is introduced into the blow molding machine;

determining whether the preform is suited for being processed in the blow molding machine; and

if it is determined that the preform is not suited for being processed in the blow molding machine, then, at least one of;

stopping the production of plastic containers;

emitting a warning message; and

/or

ejecting the preform; and

if it is determined that the preform is suited for being processed in the blow molding machine;

generating a signal to a control means of the blow molding machine indicating that the processing of the preform can take place in the blow molding machine, and/or

determining at least one treatment parameter in the blow molding machine with which the preform is treated.

7. Method of manufacturing plastic containers by means of a blow molding machine, comprising operating the blow molding machine such that at least two different plastic containers are output from the blow molding machine within a production cycle;

manufacturing the at least two different plastic containers from preforms; and

automatically detecting different preforms.

8. Method according to claim 7, and introducing the different preforms into the blow molding machine based on a result of the automatic detection.

20. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

detecting a preform which is introduced into the blow molding machine;

determining whether the preform is suited for being processed in the blow molding machine; and

if it is determined that the preform is not suited for being processed in the blow molding machine, then, at least one of;

stopping the production of plastic containers;

emitting a warning message; and

/or

ejecting the preform; and

if it is determined that the preform is suited for being processed in the blow molding machine;

generating a signal to a control means of the blow molding machine indicating that the processing of the preform can take place in the blow molding machine, and/or

determining at least one treatment parameter in the blow molding machine with which the preform is treated.

11. Blow molding machine for manufacturing plastic containers, comprising a blow molding machine designed such that at least two different plastic containers can be output in one production cycle, the blow molding machine including a heating device including a heating wheel, and a controller for treating different preforms using different treatment parameters, each of the at least two different plastic containers initially exposed to the heating device as a preform, wherein one of the at least two different plastic containers is heatable to a first temperature and another of the at least two different plastic containers is heatable to a second temperature that is different than the first temperature.

12. Blow molding machine according to claim 11, and an inspection device for automatically detecting preforms.