Abstract: Provided are methods for automatically positioning ramps in a station for the heating of preforms. The method includes acquiring an image of a preform traveling along a slot delimited by a pair of ramps, where at least one of the ramps is transversely mobile to vary the width of the slot (56) and where a motorized device transversely moves the at least one mobile ramp and is controlled automatically by an electronic control unit. The method further includes automatically determining the diameter below the neck of the preform by computer processing the image and automatically adjusting the width of the slot by moving the at least one mobile ramp according to the determined diameter below the neck.

Abstract: An installation for regulation of the angular position of hollow bodies in an installation for production of containers. The hollow bodies are moved by individual support members each of which is equipped with means for causing the hollow body to turn about its axis. The installation includes a means for measuring, in a first step an angular offset of at least one particular hollow body relative to a reference angular position in a particular measurement zone. The installation also includes a means for compensating, in a second step the angular position of the subsequent hollow bodies in a compensation zone upstream of said measurement zone during which the angular orientation of the subsequent hollow bodies is modified by an updated compensation angle that is a function of the angular offset measured for the at least one particular hollow body.

Abstract: Provided is a method for verifying holding members in a heating station equipped with a device for transporting the preforms. The device includes a plurality of movable supports circulating in a closed circuit and members for individually holding the preforms by their neck, where each of the holding members is borne by a movable support. The method includes setting the movable supports in movement to bring them successively into an acquisition zone, acquiring an image of each individual holding member in the acquisition zone, and automatically verifying the presence of a holding member on each of the images taken.

Abstract: A method of controlling a device for conveying thermoplastic material preforms for use in a heat treatment oven and such a device for conveying preforms including at least one principal wheel and one auxiliary wheel at least one of which is driven in rotation to move at least one transport device to which are connected in movement holding device each configured to cooperate with a preform. In example embodiments, the holding device is adapted to be actuated relative to a preform- or vice versa-between an inactive position and an active holding position. In example embodiments, the at least one principal wheel of the conveyor device includes electric actuators that selectively drive at least in rotation the holding device in such a manner as to index said preform in a reference position.

Abstract: A method for regulation of the angular position of hollow bodies in an installation for production of containers. The hollow bodies are moved by individual support members each of which is equipped with means for causing the hollow body to turn about its axis. The method includes a first step of measuring an angular offset of at least one particular hollow body relative to a reference angular position in a measurement zone. The method also includes a second step of compensating of the angular position of the subsequent hollow bodies in a compensation zone upstream of said measurement zone as a function of the angular offset measured for the at least one particular hollow body.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for measuring the temperature of a preform in a facility comprising: a device for transporting preforms; a device for contact-less measurement of the temperature of a portion of the preform, comprising a sensor which is capable of measuring the temperature of the preforms in continuous travelling motion over a measurement section of the production path. The measurement device is equipped with an optical device which can project an image of the sensor in a measurement direction in the zone for measuring the temperature of the preforms, the measurement zone having a cross-section of dimensions less than the outer diameter of the portion of the preform to be measured. The invention also concerns a facility for implementing the method.

Abstract: An installation for regulation of the angular position of hollow bodies in an installation for production of containers. The hollow bodies are moved by individual support members each of which is equipped with means for causing the hollow body to turn about its axis. The installation includes a means for measuring, in a first step an angular offset of at least one particular hollow body relative to a reference angular position in a particular measurement zone. The installation also includes a means for compensating, in a second step the angular position of the subsequent hollow bodies in a compensation zone upstream of said measurement zone during which the angular orientation of the subsequent hollow bodies is modified by an updated compensation angle that is a function of the angular offset measured for the at least one particular hollow body.

Abstract: A method for orienting a preform of axis in a forming mold of a blowing machine, a neck of the preform being provided with at least one marker, the method including (i) installing the preform in the mold; (ii) detecting the current angular position of the preform by determining the angle of rotation through which the preform has to be rotated to reach the reference angular position thereof; and (iii) orienting the preform about the axis thereof in relation to the mold until a reference angular position is reached.

Abstract: A process for angular indexing of a pre-form having a body and a neck. The process includes a step of marking the neck of the pre-form which consists of production of at least one reference point on the neck of the pre-form. The process also includes a step of a heating station taking charge of the pre-form, during which the pre-form is transported along a heating course by a support unit, known as a spinner, which makes it possible to turn the pre-form around its axis, and during which the body of the pre-form is heated. The marking step is carried out during the step of taking charge, when the pre-form, supported by a spinner, travels along the heating course.

Abstract: Provided are methods for automatically positioning ramps in a station for the heating of preforms. The method includes acquiring an image of a preform traveling along a slot delimited by a pair of ramps, where at least one of the ramps is transversely mobile to vary the width of the slot (56) and where a motorized device transversely moves the at least one mobile ramp and is controlled automatically by an electronic control unit. The method further includes automatically determining the diameter below the neck of the preform by computer processing the image and automatically adjusting the width of the slot by moving the at least one mobile ramp according to the determined diameter below the neck.

Abstract: Provided is a method for verifying holding members in a heating station equipped with a device for transporting the preforms. The device includes a plurality of movable supports circulating in a closed circuit and members for individually holding the preforms by their neck, where each of the holding members is borne by a movable support. The method includes setting the movable supports in movement to bring them successively into an acquisition zone, acquiring an image of each individual holding member in the acquisition zone, and automatically verifying the presence of a holding member on each of the images taken.

Abstract: A process for angular indexing of a pre-form having a body and a neck. The process includes a step of marking the neck of the pre-form which consists of production of at least one reference point on the neck of the pre-form. The process also includes a step of a heating station taking charge of the pre-form, during which the pre-form is transported along a heating course by a support unit, known as a spinner, which makes it possible to turn the pre-form around its axis, and during which the body of the pre-form is heated. The marking step is carried out during the step of taking charge, when the pre-form, supported by a spinner, travels along the heating course.

Abstract: A method for regulation of the angular position of hollow bodies in an installation for production of containers. The hollow bodies are moved by individual support members each of which is equipped with means for causing the hollow body to turn about its axis. The method includes a first step of measuring an angular offset of at least one particular hollow body relative to a reference angular position in a measurement zone. The method also includes a second step of compensating of the angular position of the subsequent hollow bodies in a compensation zone upstream of said measurement zone as a function of the angular offset measured for the at least one particular hollow body.

Abstract: A method for orienting a preform of axis in a forming mold of a blowing machine, a neck of the preform being provided with at least one marker, the method including (i) installing the preform in the mold; (ii) detecting the current angular position of the preform by determining the angle of rotation through which the preform has to be rotated to reach the reference angular position thereof; and (iii) orienting the preform about the axis thereof in relation to the mold until a reference angular position is reached.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method for positioning protective screening ramps of a station for heating preforms, on the occasion of a change of format, the heating station comprising: —members for transporting preforms; —at least one pair of parallel longitudinal screening ramps for protecting necks against heat, which ramps are parted in order to leave a slot through which the preforms progress; —a motorized device for moving the ramps transversely. The method includes a preliminary calibration step which consists in arranging at least two calibration elements between the two protective screening ramps occupying an initial position, and manually causing the protective screening ramps to move into a calibrated position in which they are each in simultaneous contact with the two calibration elements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of controlling a device for conveying thermoplastic material preforms for use in a heat treatment oven and such a device for conveying preforms including at least one principal wheel and one auxiliary wheel at least one of which is driven in rotation to move at least one transport device to which are connected in movement holding device each configured to cooperate with a preform, said holding device being adapted to be actuated relative to a preform—or vice versa—between an inactive position and an active holding position, said principal wheel of the conveyor device including electric actuators that selectively drive at least in rotation said holding device in such a manner as to index said preform in a reference position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for measuring the temperature of a preform in a facility comprising: a device for transporting preforms; a device for contact-less measurement of the temperature of a portion of the preform, comprising a sensor which is capable of measuring the temperature of the preforms in continuous travelling motion over a measurement section of the production path. The measurement device is equipped with an optical device which can project an image of the sensor in a measurement direction in the zone for measuring the temperature of the preforms, the measurement zone having a cross-section of dimensions less than the outer diameter of the portion of the preform to be measured. The invention also concerns a facility for implementing the method.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method for positioning protective screening ramps of a station for heating preforms, on the occasion of a change of format, the heating station comprising:—members for transporting preforms;—at least one pair of parallel longitudinal screening ramps for protecting necks against heat, which ramps are parted in order to leave a slot through which the preforms progress;—a motorized device for moving the ramps transversely. The method includes a preliminary calibration step which consists in arranging at least two calibration elements between the two protective screening ramps occupying an initial position, and manually causing the protective screening ramps to move into a calibrated position in which they are each in simultaneous contact with the two calibration elements.