Abstract: The invention concerns a method for managing captive preforms immobilized in a heating station during an interruption of production, the preforms following a production stream, the heating station including a device for conveying preforms and a heating cavity bordered by at least one row of emitters of monochromatic electromagnetic radiation. The method consists in ejecting from the production stream the cold captive preforms that have been immobilized before they have been exposed to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitters to a recycling stream and rejecting from the production stream the hot captive preforms that have been at least partly exposed to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitters to a reject stream separate from the recycling stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling confined preforms which are stopped in a heating station during a production interruption, the heating station comprising a device for conveying preforms comprising individual supports which move in a closed circuit and a heating cavity which is bordered by at least one row of transmitters of monochromatic electromagnetic radiation. The method includes a step of heating, by the transmitters of the heating cavity, the confined preforms referred to as “cold” preforms which have been stopped before being exposed to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the preferential heating of a thermoplastic hollow body having at least one portion to be heated and another to be superheated, the portion that is to be superheated initially having a radiation absorption coefficient substantially identical to that of the portion to be heated. The method includes, in succession: a first step of marking the portions of the hollow body that are to be superheated, during which step isolated marks are made in the thickness of the wall of the portion that is to be superheated so as to increase its absorption coefficient; a second step of preferential heating of the hollow body by uniform exposure of the portions that are to be heated and of the portions that are to be superheated to the heating electromagnetic radiation. Also disclosed is a preform marked in accordance with the first step of the method.

Abstract: Method for thermal conditioning, within a thermal conditioning unit that is equipped with a row of adjacent emitters that each comprise a number of monochromatic electromagnetic-radiation sources, of a queue of preforms of containers having a head preform or a tail preform, with this method comprising the following operations: Periodically determining the position of the head preform, or, respectively, of the tail preform; As the queue of preforms moves along, gradually igniting the emitters that are located downstream and in the vicinity of the head preform or, respectively, gradually extinguishing the emitters that are located upstream and in the vicinity of the tail preform.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing packaging including a container. The method includes: an operation of forming the container via blow molding or stretch blow molding from a plastics preform, an operation of treating an inner surface of the container, during which a thin barrier layer is formed on the inner surface via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition; an operation of printing on an outer surface of the container, during which ink is deposited on the outer surface to form a decorative and/or informative inscription thereon.

Abstract: A facility for the production of containers from blanks, which facility includes: a forming unit equipped with a rotating carrousel driven by a motor; a unit for heating blanks, equipped with infrared emitters and a power feed for each emitter; a control unit having in the memory a nominal speed setpoint ?N of the rotation of the carrousel and a nominal electrical power setpoint PN. The control unit is programmed for: controlling the rotation of the carrousel according to the nominal speed setpoint ?N.

Abstract: A method for producing a marked container (12), includes the following steps: a first step (E1) of heating, beyond a glass transition temperature, at least one shape-changing portion of the thermoplastic material wall (17) of a preform (14); and a second step (E2) of forming the container by injecting a pressurized fluid into the body (16) of the preform (14) such as to change the shape of the heated portion of the wall (17) by stretching it; and a step (E0) for marking the preform (14), during which a mark (39) is provided on the shape-changing portion of the wall (17) such that the mark (39) is stretched at the same time as the wall (17), during step (E2) after forming.

Abstract: A forming station comprising a source of pressurized forming fluid, and an injection device comprising an inlet, in fluidic communication with the source of pressurized forming fluid, and an outlet in fluidic communication with the inlet and through which the forming fluid is intended to be injected in the preform and further comprising a stretch rod movable in translation according to the axis of the stretch rod relative to the outlet and arranged to assist the axial deformation of the preform during a stretching phase. The forming station further comprises a vibratory device connected to the stretch rod, arranged to vibrate the stretch rod when said vibratory device is actuated, and a control device arranged to actuate the vibratory device during at least a part of the stretching phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a processing unit for an electromagnetic processing of plastic parisons and including a series of processing modules, each including a hollow housing, a light emitting assembly and a dehydration circuit for preventing each hollow housing from moisture via a dehydrated fluid. The dehydration circuit extends outside the main body, where the circuit can be in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, on which are disposed a fluid dehydration unit and fluid circulation unit for forcing the dehydrated fluid to feed the respective hollow housings.

Abstract: A method using an injection device having an outlet through which a liquid is injected into a preform and includes the steps of placing a preform in a malleable state in fluidic communication with an outlet of the injection device, forming the container by expanding the preform during a forming step, the forming step including at least an injection step, wherein pressurized liquid is injected into the preform through the outlet of the injection device such that the liquid expends expands the preform into a container and fills the container. The method includes a step of heating the wall of the preform during at least a part of the forming step by vibrating the wall of the preform.

Abstract: The unit (1) for processing hollow-body plastic blanks (2) includes a chamber (6) wherein the blanks (2) move along a predetermined path. The chamber (6) is defined, on both sides of the path, by two side walls (3, 4) having inner surfaces (5) that face each other. The chamber (6) includes a main section (9) wherein at least one of the walls (3, 4) is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources (10). The side walls (3, 4) define therebetween, on at least one end of the chamber, an opening (8) for the preforms to pass therethrough. The chamber (6) includes at least one optical confinement section (12) that extends between the main section (9) and the opening (8) and wherein the inner surfaces (5) of the side walls (3, 4) are optically reflective and converge toward the opening (8).

Abstract: Disclosed is a processing unit for an electromagnetic processing of plastic parisons and including a series of processing modules, each including a hollow housing, a light emitting assembly and a dehydration circuit for preventing each hollow housing from moisture via a dehydrated fluid. The dehydration circuit extends outside the main body, where the circuit can be in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, on which are disposed a fluid dehydration unit and fluid circulation unit for forcing the dehydrated fluid to feed the respective hollow housings.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly (1) composed of at least one preform (12) and of a device (10) for decontaminating the interior of a preform (12) by irradiation with at least one type of ultraviolet radiation emitted by components (22) of the semiconductor type, relates to an installation (100) for producing a sterile recipient (120) including at least one decontamination device (10) and relates to a method for fabricating a sterile recipient (120) starting from a decontaminated preform (12).

Abstract: Method of heating a blank (2) of plastic material for the manufacture of a hollow body by forming from the blank (2), which comprises the operations consisting of: inserting the blank (2) into an oven (7) provided with sources (9) of monochromatic or pseudo-monochromatic electromagnetic radiation emitting in the infrared range; exposing the blank (2) to the radiation from the sources (9), adjusted to a predetermined emission power for a predetermined exposure time; measuring a temperature on an outer wall (16) of the blank (2); Characterized in that it comprises an operation consisting of: adjusting the exposure time and/or the emission power so that said temperature at an exit from the oven (2) [sic: (7)], does not fall between Tg and 1.8·Tg, where Tg is the glass transition temperature of the material.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a container (14) from a blank (2) of thermoplastic material having a body (4) extending along a principal axis (A), which comprises: A selective heating step in which the body (4) of the blank (2) is exposed to monochromatic or pseudo-monochromatic infrared radiation, the power of which is modulated along the principal axis (A) of the body (4) in such a way that said body has alternating hot annular regions (4A, 4C, 4E, 4G, 4I), the temperature of which is far higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the material, and comparatively colder annular regions (4B, 4D, 4F, 4H), the temperature of which is close to the glass transition temperature (Tg); A forming step in which a fluid under pressure is injected into the blank (2) thus heated, said step being carried out in free expansion.

Abstract: Method of heating a plastic preform (1) for the manufacture of a container by forming it from the preform (1), this method comprising: a step of transporting the preform (1) along a predetermined path with rotation of the preform (1) about its axis (A); and a step of heating the preform (1) along said path by means of infrared radiation sources (11), wherein the intensity of the emitted radiation is regulated along the path so as to heat selectively at least one angular section (7, 7a, 7b) of the preform (1).

Abstract: A method of forming a container (18), includes: a partial expansion first step (E1) during which the container (18) is filled with a pressurized blowing gas (G); a second step (E2) of filling the container (18) during which the container (18) is filled with a filling liquid (L) that expels the blowing gas (G) through an outlet orifice (34); and a third step (E3) during which the contents of the container (18) are put under a pressure (HP) so as to make the container (18) conform to its final state (18D), characterized in that, during the filling second step (E2), the ratio of the flow rate of the incoming filling liquid (L) to the flow rate of the outgoing blowing gas (G) is controlled so as to allow the container (18) to continue to expand during this second step (E2).

Abstract: A device (31) for injecting an incompressible, pressurized liquid into a container (18) made of a thermoplastic material so as to shape the container (18), includes: a pipe (30) for supplying the liquid, which is to connect a liquid source (40) to the container (18); pumping elements (42) for causing the liquid to flow in the supply pipe (30) toward the container (18) at a first pressure (P1); and compression elements (44) for temporarily raising the pressure of the liquid contained in the container (18) to a second pressure (P2) that is greater than the first pressure (P1), wherein the compression elements (44) are formed by a work chamber (48), whose volume is variable, and which is connected only to the supply pipe (30) between the pumping elements (42) and the container (18).

Abstract: Conveyor for transporting articles such as a chain conveyor that can be changed between a stretched configuration and a compact configuration, the chain being formed from a plurality of articulated links. Each link includes a trolley provided with lateral guide mechanism cooperating with a track defining a predetermined trajectory, a support carrying a nozzle for the releasable attachment of an article, the support mounted rotatably with respect to the trolley between a straight position corresponding to the deployed configuration of the chain, and an oblique position, corresponding to the compact position of the chain and in which the support is inclined with respect to the straight position; and an actuator coupled to the support, capable of driving the support in rotation from its straight position to its oblique position, and reciprocally.

Abstract: A unit for treating blanks of hollow bodies made of a plastic material which includes: an enclosure which the blanks travel through longitudinally; a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources, arranged on at least one lateral side of the enclosure; at least one airlock adjoining the enclosure, provided with mobile shields that are opaque to the electromagnetic radiation travelling along a path locally encroaching upon the path of the blanks; two shields defining two-by-two an area for holding at least one blank.