Abstract: Disclosed is a process and a device for sterilizing gas filtration unit, characterized in that the sterilization process includes at least: —an application step consisting in circulating, through the gas filtration unit, a gas mixture including hot air and a determined amount of hydrogen peroxide vapor, in which the determined amount of hydrogen peroxide vapor is obtained by sequentially injecting, with a given time interval (t) between two successive injections, a given dose of hydrogen peroxide in the liquid state into the hot air; and —a sterilization step consisting, during the time interval (t), in circulating hot air through the filtration unit in order to eliminate, by evaporation, all or some of the hydrogen peroxide deposited on the filtration unit during the application step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and a device for sterilizing gas filtration unit, characterized in that the sterilization process includes at least: —an application step consisting in circulating, through the gas filtration unit, a gas mixture including hot air and a determined amount of hydrogen peroxide vapor, in which the determined amount of hydrogen peroxide vapor is obtained by sequentially injecting, with a given time interval (t) between two successive injections, a given dose of hydrogen peroxide in the liquid state into the hot air; and—a sterilization step consisting, during the time interval (t), in circulating hot air through the filtration unit in order to eliminate, by evaporation, all or some of the hydrogen peroxide deposited on the filtration unit during the application step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation for manufacturing containers made of thermoplastic material, having a sterilizing mode and a production mode. The installation comprising a molding machine, a transfer means, and a decontamination device. The molding machine is equipped with at least one molding device having stretching means, and the molding device is designed to manufacture by stretch blow molding said containers from preforms when the installation is in production mode. The transfer means conveys the manufactured containers between the molding machine and a second downstream machine when the installation is in production mode. The decontamination device introduces the sterilizing agent into at least one sterilizing preform during the sterilizing mode. The installation further comprises removal means that can be actuated in sterilizing mode to remove the hollow bodies from the transfer means upstream from the second machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing stretching means (12) of a container moulding device (10) fitted to a plant for manufacturing thermoplastic containers obtained by stretch-blow-moulding from production preforms, the said method for sterilizing the stretching means (12) comprises at least the steps consisting in: —introducing a determined quantity of a sterilizing agent into a sterilization preform (30), —during a step referred to as a conversion step, converting said sterilization preform (30) into a hollow body (50) by stretching—blowing into the said moulding device (10), said introduction of the sterilizing agent being performed in the vapour state in a sterilization preform (30) at a temperature that allows a uniform film of mist to be deposited by condensation onto an internal surface (32) of said sterilization preform (30), and in that at least two sterilization preforms (30) are then converted successively into hollow bodies (50) in the one same moulding device (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing stretching means (12) of a container moulding device (10) fitted to a plant for manufacturing thermoplastic containers obtained by stretch-blow-moulding from production preforms, the said method for sterilizing the stretching means (12) comprises at least the steps consisting in:—introducing a determined quantity of a sterilizing agent into a sterilization preform (30),—during a step referred to as a conversion step, converting said sterilization preform (30) into a hollow body (50) by stretching—blowing into the said moulding device (10), said introduction of the sterilizing agent being performed in the vapour state in a sterilization preform (30) at a temperature that allows a uniform film of mist to be deposited by condensation onto an internal surface (32) of said sterilization preform (30), and in that at least two sterilization preforms (30) are then converted successively into hollow bodies (50) in the one same moulding device (10).

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and a device for sterilizing gas filtration unit, characterized in that the sterilization process includes at least: —an application step consisting in circulating, through the gas filtration unit, a gas mixture including hot air and a determined amount of hydrogen peroxide vapor, in which the determined amount of hydrogen peroxide vapor is obtained by sequentially injecting, with a given time interval (t) between two successive injections, a given dose of hydrogen peroxide in the liquid state into the hot air; and—a sterilization step consisting, during the time interval (t), in circulating hot air through the filtration unit in order to eliminate, by evaporation, all or some of the hydrogen peroxide deposited on the filtration unit during the application step.

Abstract: An oven (10) for the thermal conditioning of preforms made of a thermoplastic material, includes at least one cooling circuit (6) with air flow circulation which sequentially extends from the upstream side to the downstream side through at least one cooling air intake area (16a), a heating area (16b) in which a preform heating element (22) and the cooling air flow projected by ventilation elements are provided, and an air extraction area (16c) to which at least one air extraction duct (42) is connected, characterized in that the oven includes a confining housing that extends from the air extraction duct to at least the heating area, and is capable of insulating at least the heating area from the outside of the oven in order to prevent the pollution of the inside of the oven by airborne pollution particles.

Abstract: An installation (10) for the production of containers (12), includes a wheel (30) for transferring containers respectively between a first chamber (14) having a blowing unit (16) and a second chamber (18) having a filling unit, the wheel (30) being mounted such that it can move between at least: —a transfer position in which the wheel extends through an opening (24) which is common to the chambers (14, 18) in order to transfer the containers (12), and —a retracted position in which the wheel is displaced in order to close the opening (24) by element of associated closure element (26) in order to decontaminate the second chamber (18), and in which the displacement of the transfer wheel (30) between the positions is controlled manually or automatically from outside the first chamber (14) and/or the second chamber (18) of the installation (10).

Abstract: The method includes at least the following steps of spraying a flow of sterilizing vapor, including a vaporized sterilizing product, towards the preforms to be sterilized, so as to cover at least an inner wall (15) of the preforms to be sterilized with the product; and heating, by radiation, the preforms covered with sterilizing product in order to bring them to a temperature (T2) at or above an activation temperature (Ta) for the product. The spraying of the flow of sterilizing vapor is carried out in a protective chamber (40), heating is carried out outside the protective chamber (40), and the flow of sterilizing vapor is in the form of a jet of vapor (F) vaporized onto the preforms (12), in such a way as to bring about the deposition, by condensation, of a substantially uniform film of condensate (48) of sterilizing product on at least the inner wall (15) of the preforms to be sterilized.

Abstract: An oven (10) for the thermal conditioning of preforms made of thermoplastic, is traversed upstream to downstream by an air stream (A) for cooling the preforms and includes successively an air inlet zone (16a) having at least one air inlet port (22a), a zone (16b) for heating the preforms, that includes at least one ventilation module (36) that is able to guide the air stream (A) coming from the inlet zone (16a) to the preforms, an air extraction zone (16c) having at least one air extraction duct (68), characterized in that the air inlet zone (16a) includes a plurality of ventilation modules (36) and at least one air distribution chamber (18), called a plenum (18), which is interposed between the air inlet port (22a) and each of the ventilation modules (36).

Abstract: An installation (10) for the production of containers (12), includes a wheel (30) for transferring containers respectively between a first chamber (14) having a blowing unit (16) and a second chamber (18) having a filling unit, the wheel (30) being mounted such that it can move between at least: —a transfer position in which the wheel extends through an opening (24) which is common to the chambers (14, 18) in order to transfer the containers (12), and —a retracted position in which the wheel is displaced in order to close the opening (24) by element of associated closure element (26) in order to decontaminate the second chamber (18), and in which the displacement of the transfer wheel (30) between the positions is controlled manually or automatically from outside the first chamber (14) and/or the second chamber (18) of the installation (10).

Abstract: An oven (10) for the thermal conditioning of preforms made of a thermoplastic material, includes at least one cooling circuit (6) with air flow circulation which sequentially extends from the upstream side to the downstream side through at least one cooling air intake area (16a), a heating area (16b) in which a preform heating element (22) and the cooling air flow projected by ventilation elements are provided, and an air extraction area (16c) to which at least one air extraction duct (42) is connected, characterised in that the oven includes a confining housing that extends from the air extraction duct to at least the heating area, and is capable of insulating at least the heating area from the outside of the oven in order to prevent the pollution of the inside of the oven by airborne pollution particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation (10) for the manufacture of containers, in particular bottles, by blow moulding or stretch blow moulding from a thermoplastic preform, characterized in that the installation (10) comprises a system (70) for the insufflation of filtered air inside the enclosure (52) thereof to create an excess pressure therein by projecting a flow (F) of air therein which is selectively introduced into at least one first zone (Z1) so as to avoid the risks of specific airborne contamination.

Abstract: The invention concerns decontamination of the neck of thermoplastic performs (4) designed for making containers through a blow forming or extrusion blow molding process, when feeding (in A) the performs (4) sequentially into a unit (B) for manufacturing containers, which consists in passing the neck of the performs (4) through a mist (in 9) of a decontaminating product, then in subjecting the neck of the performs (4) wetted by the decontaminating products to the action of an ultraviolet radiation (in 7) for a least a predetermined minimum time interval.

Abstract: A movable conveyor (12) having a plurality of container supports (28), a plurality of nozzles (30) for injecting fluid into the containers, a fluid-feed track (32) for the nozzles (30) and a plurality of pipes (34) to convey the fluid to the nozzles (30), each having an inlet (36) arranged in the feed track (32). Further, a fixed fluid dispenser (14) alongside the conveyor (12), designed to introduce fluid successively into the inlets (36), this dispenser (14) having a distributor (44) positioned facing the feed track (32). The distributor (44) defines a manifold (46) which extends along a length of the conveyor corresponding to the number N of inlets (36) selected, a seal (50) being provided to ensure a sealed contact between the manifold (46) and the feed track (32), and the dispenser (44) has means (52) to push the manifold (46) against the feed track (32) of the conveyor (12).

Abstract: An oven (10) for the thermal conditioning of preforms made of thermoplastic, is traversed upstream to downstream by an air stream (A) for cooling the preforms and includes successively an air inlet zone (16a) having at least one air inlet port (22a), a zone (16b) for heating the preforms, that includes at least one ventilation module (36) that is able to guide the air stream (A) coming from the inlet zone (16a) to the preforms, an air extraction zone (16c) having at least one air extraction duct (68), characterized in that the air inlet zone (16a) includes a plurality of ventilation modules (36) and at least one air distribution chamber (18), called a plenum (18), which is interposed between the air inlet port (22a) and each of the ventilation modules (36).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation (10) for the manufacture of containers, in particular bottles, by blow moulding or stretch blow moulding from a thermoplastic preform, characterized in that the installation (10) comprises a system (70) for the insufflation of filtered air inside the enclosure (52) thereof to create an excess pressure therein by projecting a flow (F) of air therein which is selectively introduced into at least one first zone (Z1) so as to avoid the risks of specific airborne contamination.

Abstract: The method includes at least the following steps: spraying a flow of sterilizing vapour, including a vaporized sterilizing product, towards the preforms to be sterilized, so as to cover at least an inner wall (15) of the preforms to be sterilized with the product, and heating, by radiation, the preforms covered with sterilizing product in order to bring them to a temperature (T2) at or above an activation temperature (Ta) for the product. The spraying of the flow of sterilizing vapour is carried out in a protective chamber (40), heating is carried out outside the protective chamber (40), and the flow of sterilizing vapour is in the form of a jet of vapour (F) vaporized onto the preforms (12), in such a way as to bring about the deposition, by condensation, of a substantially uniform film of condensate (48) of sterilizing product on at least the inner wall (15) of the preforms to be sterilized.

Abstract: The device comprises a movable conveyor (12) having a plurality of container supports (28), a plurality of nozzles (30) for injecting fluid into the containers, a fluid-feed track (32) for the nozzles (30) and a plurality of pipes (34) to convey the fluid to the nozzles (30), each having an inlet (36) arranged in the feed track (32). It also comprises a fixed fluid dispenser (14) alongside the conveyor (12), designed to introduce fluid successively into the inlets (36), this dispenser (14) having a distributor (44) positioned facing the feed track (32). The distributor (44) defines a manifold (46) which extends along a length of the conveyor corresponding to the number N of inlets (36) selected, a seal (50) being provided to ensure a sealed contact between the manifold (46) and the feed track (32), and the dispenser (44) has means (52) to push the manifold (46) against the feed track (32) of the conveyor (12).

Abstract: The invention concerns decontamination of the neck of thermoplastic performs (4) designed for making containers through a blow forming or extrusion blow molding process, when feeding (in A) the performs (4) sequentially into a unit (B) for manufacturing containers, which consists in passing the neck of the performs (4) through a mist (in 9) of a decontaminating product, then in subjecting the neck of the performs (4) wetted by the decontaminating products to the action of an ultraviolet radiation (in 7) for a least a predetermined minimum time interval.