Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement 1 for feeding contents into a container being formed from a preform 2 in a mold 3, in a machine for simultaneously molding and filling containers made from preforms, wherein the arrangement defines, by the way of its wall 7, a flow path between a contents-supply line 4 and the mouth opening 6 of the container. The arrangement 1 is characterized in that it has a sealing termination both in relation to the contents-supply line 4 and in relation to the preform 2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stretch rod for the form-and-fill head of a machine for forming and filling of containers produced from preforms. The object of the invention is to devise a stretch rod of this type which can be cleaned and/or disinfected without being disassembled and without any other intervention. According to the invention, the object is achieved by a stretch rod (5) for the form-and-fill head (3) of a machine for forming and filling (molding and filling) of containers produced from preforms (2), which rod comprises a drive unit for axially moving said stretch rod (5). At least the part (6) of the drive unit which is connected to the stretch rod (5) is arranged in a drive chamber (11) which is sealed off from the regions of the form-and-fill head (3) which come into contact with the filling material (the material with which the container is being filled). The inventive stretch rod is characterized in that the sealing action is achieved by a seal (12) which surrounds the stretch rod (5).

Abstract: A device for controlling a blow-molding machine for producing a thermoplastic container, wherein a blowing gas for blow-molding the container is introduced into a thermally conditioned preform, while the preform is held in a blow mold of the blow-molding machine. The blowing gas is introduced during a preblowing phase into the preform so that the temperature-conditioned material of the preform approaches the walls of the blow mold. The blowing gas is introduced during a following finish-blowing phase into the preform so that the temperature-conditioned material of the preform is pressed into the contours of the blow mold walls. The volumetric flow rate of the blowing gas is determined at least during the preblowing phase by an adjustable flow-control valve that can be controlled by a control unit that generates a control signal for adjusting the flow-control valve. The flow-control valve is adjusted as a function of the control signal.

Abstract: A device and method for producing a filled container from a preform using liquid contents introduced under pressure into the preform that includes a molding and filling station having a mold in which the preform is converted into the filled container and a molding and filling head to which the liquid contents are supplied under pressure via a supply line. The molding and filling head has a filling valve for controlling a supply of the liquid contents to the preform that includes a first and a second pipe stub of substantially identical diameter arranged at a distance from one another, a valve body arranged between the stubs having a largest diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the pipe stubs, and a sleeve that is displaceable along and bridges the distance between the pipe stubs in a leak-tight manner.

Abstract: A method for controlling a blow-molding machine for producing a thermoplastic container, wherein a blowing gas for blow-molding the container is introduced into a thermally conditioned preform, while the preform is held in a blow mold of the blow-molding machine. The blowing gas is introduced during a preblowing phase into the preform so that the temperature-conditioned material of the preform approaches the walls of the blow mold. The blowing gas is introduced during a following finish-blowing phase into the preform so that the temperature-conditioned material of the preform is pressed into the contours of the blow mold walls. The volumetric flow rate of the blowing gas is determined at least during the preblowing phase by an adjustable flow-control valve that can be controlled by a control unit that generates a control signal for adjusting the flow-control valve. The flow-control valve is adjusted as a function of the control signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotor of an apparatus for forming and/or filling containers made from preforms. The object of the invention is to propose a rotor of such an apparatus, that allows the preforms or the filled containers to be transferred with reduced forces to a processing station downstream. This object is achieved by a rotor 100 of such an apparatus having a rotational axis A and having processing stations that rotate about the rotational axis for receiving preforms or containers, wherein the processing stations move along a closed path 1 about the rotational axis A, which is characterized in that the distance of path 1 from the rotational axis A varies depending upon the position on path 1, and the radius of curvature of path 1 in at least one section 12 is greater than the greatest distance of path 1 from the rotational axis A.

Abstract: The device is used for the blow-molding of containers. A preform made of thermoplastic material, following a thermal conditioning within a blow-mold, is stretched by a stretching rod and is reshaped by effects of blowing pressure into the form of a container. A specification for the positioning of the stretching rod occurs through the use of a linear drive. Blowing pressure is created through the use of at least one positionable blowing gas supply. The linear drive is at least intermittently mechanically coupled with the positionable blowing gas supply and the stretching rod in such a way that coordinated movement kinetics are carried out. The coupling means and the coupled elements are constructed in such a manner that the axis of motion and the resulting force-effect axis form a common spatial axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston assembly for pumping a liquid, in particular in a bottle filling system. The object of the invention is to propose a piston assembly for pumping a liquid, which can be cleaned and/or disinfected without dismantling of the piston or performing any other external interventions into the assembly. The object is achieved by a piston assembly for pumping a liquid, which comprises a piston 1 that travels within a cylinder 2 and has a working path A between a first inversion point U1 and a second inversion point U2, with the piston 1 forming a tight seal with respect to the cylinder 2 in the region of the working path. The assembly is characterized in that beyond one of the two inversion points U1, U2, outside of the working path A, the diameter of the cylinder 2 is enlarged in one section 8 such that the sealing closure is eliminated there, and the piston 1 can be moved into this area for a cleaning and/or disinfection process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotor of an apparatus for forming and/or filling containers made from preforms. The object of the invention is to propose a rotor of such an apparatus, that allows the preforms or the filled containers to be transferred with reduced forces to a processing station downstream. This object is achieved by a rotor 100 of such an apparatus having a rotational axis A and having processing stations that rotate about the rotational axis for receiving preforms or containers, wherein the processing stations move along a closed path 1 about the rotational axis A, which is characterized in that the distance of path 1 from the rotational axis A varies depending upon the position on path 1, and the radius of curvature of path 1 in at least one section 12 is greater than the greatest distance of path 1 from the rotational axis A.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for filling and closing containers. The problem of the present invention is to develop an apparatus for filling and closing containers such that the risk of the apparatus being contaminated by spilled contents is effectively prevented. This problem is solved by an apparatus for filling and closing containers which comprises a first process wheel (1) for filling a container and a second process wheel (2) for closing a filled container and also a transfer device (3) for transferring the filled containers from the first process wheel (1) to the second process wheel (2). The transfer device (3) has a linear transfer route (4).

Abstract: A synchronous running safeguard for transfer stations or devices for handling containers, in particular for handling bottle-like containers made of glass or plastic, having a first and a second rotary element, which each have holding elements for the containers and each have a motor drive. The rotary elements are disposed in relation to one another such that the containers can be transferred in a transfer area from one of the first holding elements to one of the second holding elements. The rotary elements, each rotationally connected, have a control element having engagement elements, and the control elements are in meshing engagement with one another. The control elements are disposed in such a way that, during operation the control elements are interengaged without contact during the rotary movement of the rotary elements and that, in the event of a fault, the control elements are interengaged with contact.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for pumping a liquid in a liquid line, in particular in a bottling system. The object of the invention is a device for pumping a liquid in a liquid line, the liquid-guiding areas of which device can be cleaned and/or disinfected without disassembling the piston assembly or performing any other interventions from the exterior. According to the invention, a device for pumping a liquid in a liquid line (1) comprises a pump element (2) and two valves (3, 4) which are disposed in the liquid line upstream of and downstream from the pump element, said pump element (2) comprising a pump piston (6) operating in a cylinder (5). The inventive device is characterized in that said pump element (2) comprises a closed chamber (7) having a constant volume of a secondary liquid on which the pump piston (6) acts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stretch rod for the form-and-fill head of a machine for forming and filling of containers produced from preforms. The object of the invention is to devise a stretch rod of this type which can be cleaned and/or disinfected without being disassembled and without any other intervention. According to the invention, the object is achieved by a stretch rod (5) for the form-and-fill head (3) of a machine for forming and filling (molding and filling) of containers produced from preforms (2), which rod comprises a drive unit for axially moving said stretch rod (5). At least the part (6) of the drive unit which is connected to the stretch rod (5) is arranged in a drive chamber (11) which is sealed off from the regions of the form-and-fill head (3) which come into contact with the filling material (the material with which the container is being filled). The inventive stretch rod is characterized in that the sealing action is achieved by a seal (12) which surrounds the stretch rod (5).

Abstract: A device for blow molding containers. Preheated preforms made of a thermoplastic material are transferred within a blow molding machine to a blowing device. In the region of the blowing device, the preforms are shaped into containers by the blow molding by a blowing pressure. In the region of the device for blow molding containers, a blowing nozzle seal is arranged, which is brought against a support ring of the preform. The blowing nozzle seal is formed by a sealing element and a support sleeve. The blowing nozzle seal is first mechanically preloaded in relation to the support ring after contact with the support ring and then is further loaded pneumatically. An accommodating space that surrounds the mouth section of the preform is thereby provided, which accommodating space has substantially the same pressure as the interior of the preform in order to avoid deformation of the mouth section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement 1 for feeding contents into a container being formed from a preform 2 in a mold 3, in a machine for simultaneously molding and filling containers made from preforms, wherein the arrangement defines, by the way of its wall 7, a flow path between a contents-supply line 4 and the mouth opening 6 of the container. The arrangement 1 is characterized in that it has a sealing termination both in relation to the contents-supply line 4 and in relation to the preform 2.

Abstract: A device for blow molding containers. Preheated preforms made of a thermoplastic material are transferred within a blow molding machine to a blowing device. In the region of the blowing device, the preforms are shaped into containers by the blow molding by a blowing pressure. In the region of the device for blow molding containers, a blowing nozzle seal is arranged, which is brought against a support ring of the preform. The blowing nozzle seal is formed by a sealing element and a support sleeve. The blowing nozzle seal is first mechanically preloaded in relation to the support ring after contact with the support ring and then is further loaded pneumatically. An accommodating space that surrounds the mouth section of the preform is thereby provided, which accommodating space has substantially the same pressure as the interior of the preform in order to avoid deformation of the mouth section.

Abstract: A method for holding together, in its closed state, a blow mold of multipiece design of a blowing station for the blow molding of containers from preforms made of a thermoplastic material using a compressed air-operated mold clamp exerting a holding-together force. The mold clamp is pressurized with compressed air for the purpose of and for the duration of the generation of the holding-together force. The blowing station has a relief valve which can be controlled by control compressed air from a control compressed air line. The mold clamp is pressurized at least at times with control compressed air from the control compressed air line.

Abstract: A method for the production of blow-molded containers that are sterile at least in certain regions, and a blow-molding machine configured to carry out the method. In accordance with the method, blowing stations are arranged on a rotating blowing wheel. A preform of a thermoplastic material is first heated and then stretched in a blowing station by a stretching rod and subjected to a pressurized blowing fluid via a blowing nozzle. A sterilizing fluid is supplied to the preform in the blowing station to perform a sterilization. The sterilizing fluid is fed into the preform from an outlet and is carried away again via an inlet and in between follows a flow path. The sterilizing fluid is made to pass through or pass by the stretching rod on its flow path, and the sterilizing fluid is supplied while the blow-molding machine continues to operate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a container (2) filled with a liquid product in which a preform (1) consisting of a thermoplastic material is stretched after a thermal conditioning with a stretching rod (11) and is shaped in an inflation process to the container (2), wherein the inflation process comprises a pre-blowing phase in which a fluid of a first pressure level is used for the inflation, and comprises a main blowing phase in which a fluid of a second pressure level that is greater than the first pressure level is used for the inflation and is characterized in that the fluid used in the pre-blowing phase is a blowing gas and that the fluid used in the main blowing phase is the product. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for carrying out a method according to the invention.

Abstract: A synchronous running safeguard for transfer stations or devices for handling containers, in particular for handling bottle-like containers made of glass or plastic, having a first and a second rotary element, which each have holding elements for the containers and each have a motor drive. The rotary elements are disposed in relation to one another such that the containers can be transferred in a transfer area from one of the first holding elements to one of the second holding elements. The rotary elements, each rotationally connected, have a control element having engagement elements, and the control elements are in meshing engagement with one another. The control elements are disposed in such a way that, during operation the control elements are interengaged without contact during the rotary movement of the rotary elements and that, in the event of a fault, the control elements are interengaged with contact.