Abstract: Method for the production of containers from a series of plastic preforms heated in a container production facility having at least one heating station, a forming machine with a number of forming stations, one or more treatment machines with a number of treatment stations. The method includes: forming the preforms in the forming machine; treating the individual containers in the treatment machine; and circulating each container held individually between the forming machine and the treatment machine(s). The method also includes individual identification of each container that is produced during a predetermined tracking period, an individual identification phase including a marking step during which each individual container that is produced during the tracking period receives a marking that matches the container, making it possible to identify individually the container by distinguishing it from all of the other containers produced by the production facility during the tracking period.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a production facility of a series of containers from a series of preforms made of plastic materials. The method includes a first step of producing a preliminary series of individual containers from a preliminary series of preforms made of plastic materials. For each individual container produced during a tracking period, the method records (i) a marking that distinguishes said container other containers produced during said tracking period, and (ii) data relative to the production facility, its operation, and/or the preform or container. The method also includes a second step during which one or more physical values of each of the individually identified containers are measured during the first step, and a third step of compiling a database that matches, for each individually identified container, the measurement(s) of the second step, and the series of data acquired during the first step.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of hollow objects made of plastics material by way of an extruder. In order to improve the quality of the manufactured objects and the regularity of manufacture, the extruder that is fed at least with the initial metered quantity and to which at least a part of the molded blanks and/or of the molded and heated blanks used for manufacturing said objects and/or of the finally manufactured objects will be recycled is a twin-screw extruder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a production facility of a series of containers from a series of preforms made of plastic materials. The method includes a first step of producing a preliminary series of individual containers from a preliminary series of preforms made of plastic materials. For each individual container produced during a tracking period, the method records (i) a marking that distinguishes said container other containers produced during said tracking period, and (ii) data relative to the production facility, its operation, and/or the preform or container. The method also includes a second step during which one or more physical values of each of the individually identified containers are measured during the first step, and a third step of compiling a database that matches, for each individually identified container, the measurement(s) of the second step, and the series of data acquired during the first step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for distributing thermoplastic material to a preform molding machine, the preforms being used for manufacturing containers; the device includes at least a stationary part and a movable part, a seal that has a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface which are axially separated from each other by a gap inside which some of the thermoplastic material flows, a channel for radially constraining the thermoplastic material, and an associated cooler for radially obtaining a temperature gradient in order to increase the viscosity of the thermoplastic material located between the sealing surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of hollow objects made of plastics material by way of an extruder. In order to improve the quality of the manufactured objects and the regularity of manufacture, the extruder that is fed at least with the initial metered quantity and to which at least a part of the molded blanks and/or of the molded and heated blanks used for manufacturing said objects and/or of the finally manufactured objects will be recycled is a twin-screw extruder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for setting-up and adjusting a system including a conveying table, as well as a first and a second module. Also disclosed is a system, a first and a second module and a conveying table for transporting hollow bodies, including: at least two transfer wheels having an upstream-end transfer wheel and a downstream-end transfer wheel; and a rigid common chassis which rotatably supports all the transfer wheels via individual a rotational guide. Also disclosed is adjustment of the various transport elements with respect to one another because the setting-up of a system for the mass production of containers is an operation that requires precision so that the hollow bodies can circulate smoothly through the system.

Abstract: Unit (4) for molding preforms (2) that each have a body (15) and a neck (17) extending the body (15), this unit (4) including: a frame (19),—a mold holder (27) secured to the frame (19) and carrying at least one mold body (29) having the impression of the body (15) of the preform (2); mobile equipment (60) including a carriage (61) and a core holder (62) carrying at least one primary core (64A) and one secondary core (64B), the carriage (61) being mounted so as to be movable with respect to the frame (19) between a molding position and a demolding position, this core holder (62) being rotatable with respect to the carriage (61), in the demolding position of the latter, about a rotation axis parallel to the molding axis in order to transpose the cores (64A, 64B).

Abstract: Method for the production of containers from a series of plastic preforms heated in a container production facility having at least one heating station, a forming machine with a number of forming stations, one or more treatment machines with a number of treatment stations. The method includes: forming the preforms in the forming machine; treating the individual containers in the treatment machine; and circulating each container held individually between the forming machine and the treatment machine(s). The method also includes individual identification of each container that is produced during a predetermined tracking period, an individual identification phase including a marking step during which each individual container that is produced during the tracking period receives a marking that matches the container, making it possible to identify individually the container by distinguishing it from all of the other containers produced by the production facility during the tracking period.

Abstract: Disclosed is a facility for plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition, on an inner wall of a polymer container, of a thin barrier layer, and a method for adjusting the facility. The facility includes: an enclosure mounted in a conductive recess; a device for injecting precursor gas into the enclosure; a microwave generator; and a device for diffusing microwaves in the enclosure, connected to the microwave generator, energizing and maintaining a plasma in the precursor gas. The solid-state microwave generator has variable microwave emission frequency. The facility includes a sensor measuring the energy intensity of the plasma produced in the container. The facility includes a control unit connected to the sensor and to the microwave generator, the control unit being programmed to adjust the microwave emission frequency, via the variable frequency drive, in accordance with the value of the physical quantity characterizing the energy intensity measured by the sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for distributing thermoplastic material to a preform molding machine, the preforms being used for manufacturing containers; the device includes at least a stationary part and a movable part, a seal that has a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface which are axially separated from each other by a gap inside which some of the thermoplastic material flows, a channel for radially constraining the thermoplastic material, and an associated cooler for radially obtaining a temperature gradient in order to increase the viscosity of the thermoplastic material located between the sealing surfaces.

Abstract: Machine (1) for the plasma treatment of containers (3), which comprises: a chamber (5) suitable for receiving a container (3) to be treated, a cover (8) defining a nozzle (9) in the extension of the chamber (5); a duct (14) for depressurization the container (3), which duct opens into the nozzle (9) and connects the latter to a vacuum source (15); a first valve (19) having a closed position, in which it closes off the depressurization duct (14), and an open position, in which it brings the nozzle (9) and the vacuum source (15) into communication; a duct (27) for pressurizing the container (3), separate from the depressurization duct (14), this pressurization duct (27) emerging in the nozzle (9) beyond the depressurization duct (14) and connecting the nozzle (9) to a pressure source (28); and a second valve (29) having a closed position, in which it closes off the pressurization duct (27), and an open position, in which it brings the nozzle (9) and the pressure source (28) into communication.

Abstract: A device (20) for gripping a container (16) made of a thermoplastic material, includes: a nose (30) having a main shaft (B) which is suitable for axially inserting into the neck (24) of the container (16); a plurality of jaws (46) which are mounted in the nose (30) in a radially mobile manner between a retracted position allowing the free axial sliding of the nose (30) in the neck (24) and an expanded position allowing the immobilization of the neck (24) in relation to the nose (30) by pressing against the inner part of the neck (24); and elements (54) for elastically returning the jaws to their expanded position, wherein the jaw assembly (46) is maintained circumferentially in a determined circumferential position in relation to the nose (30).

Abstract: Unit (4) for molding preforms (2) that each have a body (15) and a neck (17) extending the body (15), this unit (4) including: a frame (19), —a mold holder (27) secured to the frame (19) and carrying at least one mold body (29) having the impression of the body (15) of the preform (2); mobile equipment (60) including a carriage (61) and a core holder (62) carrying at least one primary core (64A) and one secondary core (64B), the carriage (61) being mounted so as to be movable with respect to the frame (19) between a molding position and a demolding position, this core holder (62) being rotatable with respect to the carriage (61), in the demolding position of the latter, about a rotation axis parallel to the molding axis in order to transpose the cores (64A, 64B).

Abstract: A device (20) for gripping a container (16) made of a thermoplastic material, includes: a nose (30) having a main shaft (B) which is suitable for axially inserting into the neck (24) of the container (16); a plurality of jaws (46) which are mounted in the nose (30) in a radially mobile manner between a retracted position allowing the free axial sliding of the nose (30) in the neck (24) and an expanded position allowing the immobilization of the neck (24) in relation to the nose (30) by pressing against the inner part of the neck (24); and elements (54) for elastically returning the jaws to their expanded position, wherein the jaw assembly (46) is maintained circumferentially in a determined circumferential position in relation to the nose (30).

Abstract: A nozzle (10) for forming containers made of a thermoplastic material by injecting a pressurized fluid into a neck (14) of a preform (12), includes: a mounting (24) which is provided with an inlet pipe (36) for a pressurized fluid along a vertical axis (A); a nozzle tip (26) which axially extends the inlet pipe (36), and which can be sealingly coupled to the neck (14) of the preform (12) via at least one element (42, 44) matching the format of the neck (14); an element for removably attaching the nozzle tip (26) onto the mounting (24); and a stabilizing tube (106) resiliently biased toward the lower stop position thereof via a resilient member (116) that is permanently accommodated in the mounting.

Abstract: A method for changing a mould of a moulding device, includes at least the following steps for dismounting a mould: (a) controlling fixing elements in order to release each mould half (20), (b) joining the mould halves together in order to form a single transportable sub-set, (c) opening mould carriers (14) from their closed position during steps (a) and (b) in order to extract, with a translational movement, the sub-set arranged in a reference position, and (d) removing the sub-set as a single unit from its reference position, from between the mould carriers.

Abstract: Sealing device (23) for a machine (1) for the plasma treatment of containers (2), comprising at least first and second annular sealing surfaces (24, 25) suitable for cooperating respectively with first and second separate annular zones (13, 15) of the neck (12) of a container (2).

Abstract: A member (22) for gripping vessels (16) includes: a support (32) that moves along a transport trajectory of the vessel (16); a nose (38) including a mandrel (40) capable of holding a neck (26) of the vessel (16), the nose (38) being fixed removably to a bottom axial end of the support (32); characterized in that the nose (38) includes an ejection plate (46) which is mounted to slide axially around the mandrel (40) between a cladding position towards which it is elastically returned and in which the mandrel (40) protrudes axially downwards and an uncladding position in which the mandrel (40) is axially retracted above a bottom face of the plate (46). A device for replacing such a gripping member is also described.

Abstract: A nozzle (10) for forming containers made of a thermoplastic material by injecting a pressurized fluid into a neck (14) of a preform (12), includes: a mounting (24) which is provided with an inlet pipe (36) for a pressurized fluid along a vertical axis (A); a nozzle tip (26) which axially extends the inlet pipe (36), and which can be sealingly coupled to the neck (14) of the preform (12) via at least one element (42, 44) matching the format of the neck (14); an element for removably attaching the nozzle tip (26) onto the mounting (24); and a stabilizing tube (106) resiliently biased toward the lower stop position thereof via a resilient member (116) that is permanently accommodated in the mounting.