Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a container (2), by drawing and blowing in a mould (8), from a blank (3) made of plastic material, which includes the following operations: inserting the blank (3) in the mould (8); controlling the opening of a pre-blowing solenoid valve (17) at a predetermined pre-blowing rate (DP); measuring the current pressure (P) inside the blank (3); detecting an actual time (tA) for starting the pre-blowing step; calculating a time (tF) for ending the pre-blowing step such that: tF=tA+?t??, wherein: ?t is a predetermined time for opening the pre-blowing solenoid valve and ? is a predetermined constant; deducing therefrom an actual pressure (PF) at the end of the pre-blowing step; comparing said pressure to a theoretical pressure (Pth); and if said pressures are found to be non-identical, ordering a modification of the pre-blowing rate (DP).

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating a container with plasma, for depositing a barrier layer on an internal face of the container. This process includes: after the plasma has been extinguished, obtaining a thermal image of the container; comparing the thermal image of the container with a reference thermal image stored in memory; and, if the thermal image of the container differs from the reference thermal image, modifying at least one of the following parameters: internal pressure, external pressure, precursor gas flow rate, microwave frequency, microwave power, duration of the treatment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a container from a blank in a stretch blowing assembly equipped with a mold provided with a wall and a mold bottom axially movable between an extended position and a retracted position and a stretch unit having a rod axially movable with respect to the wall and a device for controlling the movement of the rod. The method involves a stretch blowing phase; a boxing phase during which the mold bottom, initially in the extended position, is moved towards its retracted position, the boxing phase having a retraction operation including controlling a movement of the rod in synchronization with the movement of the mold bottom, or releasing the rod to allow the free axial movement thereof.

Abstract: A control system (34) for a unit (9) for forming containers (2) from blanks (3) provided with a series of forming stations (10) each provided with a mold (11), the system (34) including a master control unit (36) and a series of slave controllers (37) each associated with at least one forming station (10), each controller (37) being programmed to: control the or each associated forming station (10) according to a forming command (CF) loaded in the controller (37); take into account a pressure measurement in the mold (11), from this measurement, establish a blowing curve describing the change in the fluid pressure in the mold (11), analyze the blowing curve and extract therefrom the coordinates of at least one singular point (S); communicate the singular point (S) to the control unit (36).

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a container (2) by stretch-blow molding in a mold (8) from a blank (3) of plastic material, which comprises the operations consisting of: measuring the pressure prevailing inside the blank (3) during a pre-blowing phase; detecting an instant corresponding to a local minimum pressure in the blank (3); placing in memory the instant at which said minimum pressure occurs as well as the corresponding pressure prevailing in the blank (3); comparing the instant and the pressure of the detected minimum with, respectively, a predetermined instant and pressure of a theoretical minimum pressure; if the measured minimum and the theoretical minimum do not coincide, ordering a modification of at least one of the following parameters: pre-blowing pressure, pre-blowing flow rate, stretching speed, heating temperature.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a container from a blank of plastic material, within a mold provided with a wall defining a cavity with the impression of the container, and a mold bottom that is movable with respect to the wall between a retracted position and a deployed position in which it extends protruding into the interior of the cavity in order to form a hollow recess in the container. The method includes inserting the blank into the mold; a pre-blowing operation including injecting a fluid under pressure into the blank, at a pre-blowing pressure; a blowing operation including injecting a fluid under pressure into the blank at a blowing pressure that is greater than the pre-blowing pressure; and a boxing operation, initiated prior to the blowing operation, and including moving the movable mold bottom from its retracted position to its deployed position.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing containers from blanks of plastic material, which includes an oven furnished with a plurality of radiation sources for heating blanks as they travel through at a predetermined speed of travel and heating profile, and a programmed control center for modifying the speed of travel and heating profile based on a temperature measurement made on a blank leaving the oven, and a pressure measurement made in the blank during a subsequent blowing.

Abstract: A control system (32) of an installation (1) for producing containers (2) from blanks (3) made from a thermoplastic material, the installation (1) including at least two units (4, 9) for processing the blanks (3) or the containers (2), each provided with at least one station (5, 10) for processing the blanks (3) or the containers (2), the control system (32) including a central control unit (33) of the installation (1), at least two control units (36, 46) slaved to the central control unit (33) and each associated respectively with a processing unit (9, 4), and at least two controllers (37, 47) each slaved to a control unit (36, 46) and each associated with at least one processing station (10, 5).

Abstract: A control system (34) for a unit (9) for forming containers (2) from blanks (3) provided with a series of forming stations (10) each provided with a mould (11), the system (34) including a master control unit (36) and a series of slave controllers (37) each associated with at least one forming station (10), each controller (37) being programmed to: control the or each associated forming station (10) according to a forming command (CF) loaded in the controller (37); take into account a pressure measurement in the mould (11), from this measurement, establish a blowing curve describing the change in the fluid pressure in the mould (11), analyze the blowing curve and extract therefrom the coordinates of at least one singular point (S); communicate the singular point (S) to the control unit (36).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a container (2), by drawing and blowing in a mould (8), from a blank (3) made of plastic material, which includes the following operations: inserting the blank (3) in the mould (8); controlling the opening of a pre-blowing solenoid valve (17) at a predetermined pre-blowing rate (DP); measuring the current pressure (P) inside the blank (3); detecting an actual time (tA) for starting the pre-blowing step; calculating a time (tF) for ending the pre-blowing step such that: tF=tA+?t??, wherein: ?t is a predetermined time for opening the pre-blowing solenoid valve and ? is a predetermined constant; deducing therefrom an actual pressure (PF) at the end of the pre-blowing step; comparing said pressure to a theoretical pressure (Pth); and if said pressures are found to be non-identical, ordering a modification of the pre-blowing rate (DP).

Abstract: Method for producing a vessel (2) by blowing in a mould (11) from a preform (3) made of plastic material, comprising the operations consisting in: introducing the preform (3) into the mould; at a predetermined moment, called pre-blowing cue (tP), controlling the opening of an electrovalve (22) for establishing a communication between the inside of the preform (3) and a source (20) of gas at a predetermined pre-blowing pressure; measuring the pressure (P) inside the preform (3); detecting the so-called real moment (tA), of the beginning of the pre-blowing, at which the (P) in the preform (3) starts to increase; comparing this moment (tA) with a theoretical pre-blowing beginning moment; if the real moment (tA) of the beginning of the pre-blowing follows the theoretical pre-blowing beginning moment, advance the pre-blowing cue (tP); if the real moment (tA) of the beginning of the pre-blowing precedes the theoretical pre-blowing beginning moment, delay the pre-blowing cue (tP).

Abstract: A method of measuring the wall temperature of a container blank, including the following operations: inserting a temperature probe into the blank in motion, upon completion of the operation of heating the blank in an oven; maintaining the probe in the blank in motion for a predetermined time; making a temperature measurement by the probe maintained in the blank without contact with the inner wall of the blank; and storing the temperature or the temperature profile thus measured.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a container from a blank in a stretch blowing assembly equipped with a mold provided with a wall and a mold bottom axially movable between an extended position and a retracted position and a stretch unit having a rod axially movable with respect to the wall and a device for controlling the movement of the rod. The method involves a stretch blowing phase; a boxing phase during which the mold bottom, initially in the extended position, is moved towards its retracted position, the boxing phase having a retraction operation including controlling a movement of the rod in synchronization with the movement of the mold bottom, or releasing the rod to allow the free axial movement thereof.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a container from a blank of plastic material, within a mold provided with a wall defining a cavity with the impression of the container, and a mold bottom that is movable with respect to the wall between a retracted position and a deployed position in which it extends protruding into the interior of the cavity in order to form a hollow recess in the container. The method includes inserting the blank into the mold; a pre-blowing operation including injecting a fluid under pressure into the blank, at a pre-blowing pressure; a blowing operation including injecting a fluid under pressure into the blank at a blowing pressure that is greater than the pre-blowing pressure; and a boxing operation, initiated prior to the blowing operation, and including moving the movable mold bottom from its retracted position to its deployed position.

Abstract: A method for producing a vessel by stretch blow-molding in a mold from a preform made of plastic material includes heating the preform and introducing the preform in the mold. The preform is stretched by a rod displaced at a predetermined stretching speed. At a pre-blowing cue, the electrovalve is opened for establishing a communication between the inside of the preform and a gas source at a predetermined pre-blowing pressure and a pre-blowing flow rate. Pressure inside the preform is measured and a pressure peak is detected. The moment at which this pressure peak occurs and the corresponding pressure inside the preform is stored and compared with a predetermined moment and pressure for a theoretical pressure peak. Depending on the result, at least one of the following are modified: pre-blowing pressure, pre-blowing flow rate, pre-blowing cue, stretching speed, and heating temperature.

Abstract: A method for producing a vessel (2), involving: placing a preform (3) into the mold; at the pre-blowing cue (tp), controlling the opening of an electrovalve (22) for establishing communication between the preform (3) and a source (20) of gas at a predetermined pre-blowing pressure (Pp); measuring the pressure (P) inside the preform (3); at the blowing cue (tS), controlling the opening of an electrovalve (26) for establishing a communication between the preform (3) and a source (24) of a gas at a blowing pressure (PS) higher than the pre-blowing pressure (Pp); memorising the variations of the pressure (P) inside the preform (3) at least during the interval between the pre-blowing cue (tp) and the blowing cue (tS); detecting the expansion end moment (tC) from which the pressure in the preform (3) increases in a linear manner; and advancing the blowing cue (tS) according to the expansion end moment (tC).

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a container (2) by stretch-blow molding in a mold (8) from a blank (3) of plastic material, which comprises the operations consisting of: measuring the pressure prevailing inside the blank (3) during a pre-blowing phase; detecting an instant corresponding to a local minimum pressure in the blank (3); placing in memory the instant at which said minimum pressure occurs as well as the corresponding pressure prevailing in the blank (3); comparing the instant and the pressure of the detected minimum with, respectively, a predetermined instant and pressure of a theoretical minimum pressure; if the measured minimum and the theoretical minimum do not coincide, ordering a modification of at least one of the following parameters: pre-blowing pressure, pre-blowing flow rate, stretching speed, heating temperature.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing containers from blanks of plastic material, which includes an oven furnished with a plurality of radiation sources for heating blanks as they travel through at a predetermined speed of travel and heating profile, and a programmed control center for modifying the speed of travel and heating profile based on a temperature measurement made on a blank leaving the oven, and a pressure measurement made in the blank during a subsequent blowing.

Abstract: A device (10) for loading containers (12), which are provided with a neck (20), on an transporting element (14) includes a member (28) for individually grasping the container by the neck thereof, wherein the grasping member is used for catching or releasing the neck of a preform by the vertical slide of the preform with respect to the grasping member during an operation for catching or releasing it, the loading device includes elements (42, 68) for selectively ejecting the container from the transporting element during the releasing operation. The elements for ejecting the container are provided with container receiving members (42) which are used for catching the container prior to the releasing operation and are mounted in a horizontally movable manner in such a way that the trajectory of the receiving members are vertically superimposed and synchronized with the trajectory of the grasping device.

Abstract: A method of measuring the wall temperature of a container blank, including the following operations: inserting a temperature probe into the blank in motion, upon completion of the operation of heating the blank in an oven; maintaining the probe in the blank in motion for a predetermined time; making a temperature measurement by the probe maintained in the blank without contact with the inner wall of the blank; and storing the temperature or the temperature profile thus measured.