WO2009000525A2

WO2009000525A2 - Device and method for aftercooling preforms

Info

Publication number: WO2009000525A2
Application number: PCT/EP2008/005166
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan Bock
Original assignee: Netstal-Maschinen Ag
Priority date: 2007-06-25
Filing date: 2008-06-25
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Also published as: WO2009000525A3; EP2160277A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for aftercooling preforms (6) that are removed from a multiple injection mold in an unstable shape. According to the invention, air cooling for the external side of the open end of the preform (6) is integrated into the water-cooled cooling jackets (1). Particularly in special types of preforms, the zones that are not supported in the cooling jackets (1) are externally cooled using cold generated by expanding compressed air from the moment the preforms begin to be transferred from the open molds (78, 79) to the removing or cooling jackets (1). Said novel solution makes it possible to ensure top quality, especially also in terms of the dimensional stability and absence of compressed points resulting from the effect of a calibration process in the cooling jackets (1) and the handling process in the aftercooling zone.

Description

Apparatus and method for post-cooling preforms

Technical area

The invention relates to a device for the post-cooling of preforms, wherein the still dimensionally unstable preforms are removed from the open mold halves or multiple molds of an injection molding machine and at least partially nachkühlbar means of water-cooled extraction or cooling sleeves, in which an air blower is integrated.

The invention further relates to a method for the aftercooling of preforms with a threaded part, a blower and a neck ring, which are at least partially post-cooled after removal from multiple forms in still hot, form unstable state in water-cooled and equipped with air blowers cooling sleeves.

State of the art

In practice, three aftercooling systems have become established for the production of preforms:

According to a first concept, the still hot preforms are transferred directly to the cooling sleeves of an aftercooler. In this case, the aftercooler has a multiple of cooling positions in relation to the number of preforms of a Spritzgiesszyklus. According to a second concept, the preforms are opened by a light removal robot without cooling effect Removed molds, transferred to an aftercooler and cooled.

According to a third concept, the robot function becomes one

Removal gripper split with water-cooled removal sleeves and an additional transfer gripper for transfer to the actual aftercooler.

According to the latest development, the injection molding machine cycle time is further shortened, whereby the preforms are removed from the molds in a soft and dimensionally unstable state. But with that, less noticed problems come to the fore. For physical reasons, the cooling within the walls of the preforms runs unevenly:

As soon as the preforms are removed from the open mold halves, the temperature differences within the preform, in particular the

Preformwandung, immediately thermal stresses or shrinkage stresses in the preforms and thus changes in shape.

Any mechanical intervention and any handling by robot-like gripper can additionally lead to form damage.

This occurs especially in the horizontal position of the preforms in the aftercooler.

As part of the latest development, any post-cooling intervention becomes extremely delicate. In the production of injection molded parts by means of injection molding machines, the cooling time is a determining factor for the duration of a full cycle. The first and main cooling performance still takes place in the injection molds. Both injection mold halves are intensively water cooled during the injection molding process, so that the temperature of the injection molded parts can still be reduced in the form of, for example, 280 ° C at least in the outer layers to a range of about 70 ° C. It is in the outer layers very quickly below the so-called glass transition temperature of about 80 ° C. The actual injection molding process up to the removal of the injection molded parts could be almost halved in the recent past. This with optimal qualities in relation to the preforms. The invention is directed to the genus of Nachkühlvorrichtungen with water-cooled cooling sleeves. The preforms must be solidified in the mold halves so strong that they can be taken over without damage from the cooling sleeves. The cooling sleeves have a shape adapted to the dimensions of the injection molded parts. The intensive water cooling in the injection mold halves results, for physical reasons, a time-delayed temperature reduction down to the core area of the preform wall. This means that the mentioned about 70 ° C are not uniformly achieved in the entire wall cross-section. The result is that seen in the material cross-section, a rapid rewarming from the inside to the outside, as soon as the intensive water cooling is interrupted. Aftercooling of the preforms outside the injection mold is of great importance for two reasons: changes in shape but also surface damage, such as pressure points, etc., must be avoided during aftercooling. It must also be prevented that the cooling in the higher temperature range is too slow and set by re-heating locally harmful crystal formations. The goal is a uniform amorphous state in the material of the finished preform. The residual temperature of the finished preforms should be so deep that in large packing containers with thousands of loose poured molded parts at the points of contact no pressure and adhesion damage can occur. The finished molded parts may not exceed a surface temperature of 55 ° C, preferably 40 ° to 50 ° C, even after a slight reheating. Aftercooling after removal of the hot, dimensionally unstable preforms from the injection mold is very important for dimensional accuracy.

With WO 2004/041510, the Applicant proposes an intensive cooling station and a post-cooling station and, in the case of the intensive cooling station, insertable cooling pins for internal cooling in the preforms. The inner shape of the cooling sleeves is matched to the corresponding inner shape of the injection mold, such that the preforms after removal from the injection molds are as far as possible inserted into the cooling sleeves as far as possible to the solid wall system. If the preforms are in a lying position during the first phase of the aftercooling process, then they tend to settle hang down on the appropriate cooling sleeve part. Due to a more intensive cooling contact in the lower area, the preforms are cooled down more strongly, whereby stresses occur in the preform and the preform has a tendency to ovalize. If in the first phase of the aftercooling with shortened cooling in the injection molds individual preforms easily deform, then the corresponding change in shape can not be corrected in the case of already solidified preforms during the aftercooling. By a targeted control of suction and blowing air, a swelling pressure can be generated in the interior of the preforms according to a preferred embodiment of WO 2004/041510 and the not yet solidified preform be brought to complete concern to the entire inner wall surface of the cooling sleeve. After the full application of the preforms to the inner wall surface of the cooling sleeves, the surface contact is maintained for several seconds and produces a calibration effect for each individual preform. The calibration effect gives a high production and quality standard in the production of preforms, as it was not possible in the older state of the art. The preforms are brought back into an exact form in this way shortly after removal from the injection molds. Any dimensional changes are reversed after the first critical handling of the injection molds in the cooling sleeves again. The calibration of the preforms allows them to be taken out of molds at even higher temperatures and to achieve an even shorter injection cycle time.

EP 900 135 proposes a similar concept. The sealing of the opening edge requires a certain compressive force and also a sufficient dimensional stability of the threaded portion. In order to avoid changes in the shape of the threaded part, the preforms must be left to a higher dimensional stability in the injection molds. But this is contrary to a shortening of Spritzgiess- cycle time.

On the basis of extensive investigations, it was recognized that a calibration of the still hot, dimensionally unstable preforms immediately after extension from the open mold halves brings great advantages. However, success did not occur in all preform types one. It was found that in preforms with a non-supporting area with respect to the cooling sleeves, the problems of dimensional accuracy could not be satisfactorily solved. It has been recognized by the inventor that with an ever shorter machine cycle time, the entire open end side of the preform can be particularly endangered for handling in the area of aftercooling. This not least because the threaded part protrudes from the cooling sleeve and can not be cooled over the cooling sleeve. The present invention relates to the aftercooling of preforms which are subsequently cooled in water-cooled cooling sleeves, wherein the preforms are pushed into the cooling sleeves close to the neck ring. Recently, preforms are increasingly being produced in which the blow molded part is tapered outside near the open preform side. This part is no longer supported in the cooling sleeve by the Kühlhülsenwandung.

US Pat. No. 7,232,306 proposes, in the case of preforms with a tapered neck, which is no longer supported in the cooling sleeve, to blow this part by means of cooling air. For this purpose, a sleeve or jacket sleeve is pushed like a coat over the water-cooled removal or cooling sleeve. This jacket sleeve makes it possible to use the coolant water over the entire water-cooled cooling sleeve length in a twofold sense. With the inner wall of the cooling sleeve directly the outer cylindrical wall of the preform is cooled intensively. The outer portion of the cooling sleeve is thereby utilized by the water simultaneously cooling the inner wall of the jacket sleeve and thus the cooling medium air, so that the tapered neck can be effectively cooled with frozen air. In the open Blasende the jacket sleeve a large number of holes is arranged, via which the cooling air is blown directly onto the tapered outer skin of the preform. Investigations by the applicant have shown that the proposed solution can bring a significant improvement in the cooling effect, but for which an economically unjustifiable price must be paid. With the concept of a large number of boreholes, in the case of large injection molds with 100 to 200 and more mold cavities, an enormous amount of air is required, which causes considerable costs. The fact that the water-cooling part is used to the maximum results in a cooling-dead zone in the delicate transitional region of the tank cylindrical preform section to the tapered preform section. Another disadvantage is that with the solution proposed by US Pat. No. 7,232,306, only the specific case of preforms can be treated with a tapered neck portion. In addition, this proposal does not solve the problem of shrinkage of the preform. For physical reasons, the preform shrinks from the moment of cooling in the cooling sleeve. It is taken with the additional air cooling worsening of the water cooling in purchasing.

Presentation of the invention

The invention has now the object of developing a Nachkühlverfahren and a Nachkühlvorrichtung, which allow a true shortening of the injection cycle time, while still ensuring all the qualitative parameters and in particular a maximum dimensional accuracy of the preforms, which also not limited to a specific type of preforms are.

The device according to the invention is characterized in that compressed air connections are arranged on the cooling sleeves, by way of which the outer skin, at least one region of the preforms which is unsupported in the cooling sleeve, can be cooled by using compressed expansion air under co-utilization of the expansion cooling.

The inventive method is characterized in that at least part of the outer open non-supporting end side of the preforms is cooled and solidified by means of compressed air using the expansion cooling of the compressed compressed air, to which compressed air of at least 1 to 2 bar is used.

In particular, it has been recognized by the inventor that with the use of compressed air with a fluidically correct design, the considerable expansion cooling for an intensified cooling effect can be utilized, which could also be confirmed by extensive laboratory investigations. Have temperature measurements shown that actually cooling air from 10 ° to 30 ° C below zero can be used. This is based on compressed air at ambient temperature.

It has also been recognized by the inventor that a calibration after introducing the hot preforms into the cooling sleeves with a substantially cylindrical or slightly conical blowing part brings a great progress for the production of classical preforms. For calibration, the interior of the preform, at least of the blow-molded part, must be mechanically sealed. Already the force of the compressed air, for example from 1 to 2 bar, for the calibration, but at least as much the mechanical sealing force, creates new problems if the area of the open end of the preform is not supported by the cooling sleeve inner wall. The equally important finding is that the outer side of the open end of the preform can be solidified immediately after the transfer from the open mold halves to the cooling sleeves when the air cooling is integrated into the cooling sleeves, and in a moment in which no mechanical forces act. This means a gain in time of, for example, 1 to 3 seconds in order to bring the targeted open Preformende by additional external cooling by means of cooling air in a more dimensionally stable state. In the case of the blower part, a corresponding external cooling could immediately bring disadvantages in that the calibration would require larger air pressures. In the cylindrical portion of the blower immediately acts the water cooling of the cooling sleeves by direct wall contact. This showed a great success from the beginning. The entire area of the neck ring should be air-cooled or solidified so far from the outside that the mechanical forces, for example from thermal stresses, can no longer cause mold damage during handling or during calibration. In the case of calibration, the location of the external air cooling is preferably chosen to be approximately from the inside vis-a-vis the sealing force of the press or sealing rings.

The new aftercooling solution prefers the concept of a thermo-bottle closure for calibration and / or handling. The delicate wall material is equal to both applications. In one case it is glass, in the other it is the still easily deformable plastic. The sealing point must comply with the inventive solution can not be set with the highest precision. The big advantage of the new invention is that, with full achievement of all quality criteria, a massive reduction of the entire cycle time and a corresponding increase in performance of the injection molding machine is made possible. The demoulding of the preforms from the injection molds can take place earlier, in a still highly dimensionally unstable state of the preforms.

In practice, there is a large variety of preforms that can make a specific treatment necessary.

Particularly tricky prove to be preforms, which has a conically tapered neck lug between the cylindrical blowing part and the

Neckring have.

Another delicate preform has an extension in the corresponding neck part.

For a large number, especially of thick-walled preforms with purely cylindrical blower, all the advantages of the invention can also be used.

The new invention makes it possible that even with a strong reduction of the dry-running time, the dimensional accuracy can be fully maintained. This means that due to the special air cooling of the outer open end side there is also a reserve for an even shorter machine cycle time as well as for the handling of the preforms during the aftercooling. Previous field tests have shown that with clear preforms the machine cycle time can be reduced by 15% and with dyed preforms by 20%.

Surprisingly, it has been shown that with the new invention procedurally different new approaches to aftercooling are opened. This is especially true when the removal of the preforms, which are passed directly to an aftercooler, this has a capacity that corresponds to a multiple of the number preforms a spray cycle. here we can the individual preforms can be combined in a variety of ways by repositioning the non-supporting area of the preforms and the cooling using the expansion refrigeration of compressed air.

The new invention allows a number of particularly advantageous embodiments. Reference is made to claims 2-15 and 17-30.

Most preferably, the device is associated with a compressed air source with a pressure of at least 2 bar, preferably 4 to 8 bar. Recent tests have shown that with compressed air of 6 bar an optimum between the energy costs and the cooling effect can be achieved. The supply of compressed air to Preformaussenseite preferably takes place via an antechamber and an annular channel which is formed as an annular narrow gap. In the prechamber almost the full pressure of the compressed air source can be maintained. In the annular gap, but especially in an expanding cooling channel, the pressure of the air falls: At the same time, the temperature of the air lowers because of the expansion cold. Even in the transition region from the annular channel to the outer skin of the preform an air temperature of 10 ° to 30 ° C could be measured below zero, starting from compressed air at ambient temperature. The thickness of the annular gap is selected in the tenth of a millimeter range, preferably in the range of 1 to 3 tenths of a millimeter. A review of all quality parameters showed best values for all previously mentioned preform types, regardless of their shape and thickness. The new invention thus allows to explain and eliminate many previously unexplained deviations and damage to the preforms.

Very particularly preferably, an expanding cooling channel is formed in the flow direction from the transition point of the annular gap to the outer skin of the preform, wherein the cooling channel begins precisely directly in the transition region from the supported to the unsupported region and is directed against the outer, open end side of the preforms. This is the cooling air with the lowest Temperature directed to the first, most vulnerable zone of the preform, which has the highest temperature in relation to this area. It is crucial that, despite removal of the preforms in still highly unstable soft form best preform qualities could be produced. To shorten the cycle time, the area located on the inner wall of the cooling sleeves was compressed by means of compressed air to the inner wall of the cooling sleeves during the machine cycle duration and thereby calibrated. It is important that the device has a control by means of which the air blowing device can be activated at the latest from the moment of preform transfer to the removal or cooling sleeves and during a subsequent calibration. Advantageously, in the case of a calibration, the pressure of the calibration air is allowed to swell steplessly from the beginning of the calibration. As a result, the shrinkage compensation is continuously created with increasing solidification of the preform. Preferably, the compressed air supply is reproducibly ensured by programmed increase of the control voltage of a control valve and a corresponding increase or a corresponding increase in the calibration pressure.

The water-cooled removal sleeves are assigned cooling channels for a corresponding external cooling of the preforms in the transition region between the threaded part and the blower. Depending on the geometric configuration of the preforms, the air cooling is arranged in the region between threaded part and neck ring and / or in the transition region between neck ring and cylindrical blow part. In this case, the solution according to the invention can be used in the field of aftercooling wherever there is the risk of damage due to handling as a result of thermal stresses or of calibration forces. Furthermore, it is possible to apply the air cooling by using the expansion cold one, two or more times, if this is considered to be advantageous as a security measure for a safe discharge of the injection molded parts from the aftercooler and for a harmless transport and storage. A particularly advantageous embodiment has a gripper with a plurality of nipples, each with an insertion in the preforms and the insertion of the nipples radially aufbauchbare pressing or sealing rings, which are insertable into the preforms. The gripper with the nipples can take on different functions:

As already mentioned, the preforms can be calibrated from the open molds by means of compressed air, which is controllably guided via the nipples into the preforms, immediately after the cooling sleeves have been extended.

• If the removal takes place with a removal device designed as an aftercooler, the aftercooler has four times as many cooling positions as the injection molds have mold cavities. Here it may be advantageous if the preforms are transferred to cooling sleeves with a smaller inner diameter to compensate for the shrinkage.

• When the aftercooler moves horizontally into and out of the open molds and the preforms are cooled to a storable state, the grippers or nipples can be used to remove the preforms from the cooling sleeves and drop them onto a conveyor belt.

Another important design idea is that the nipples can be introduced position-controlled to a selectable optimum sealing point in a range between threaded part and blower in the preforms. This can accommodate a wide variety of forms of transition between threaded part and blower. The best position is chosen according to the function and in case of calibration according to the specific preform type. With a view to optimizing water cooling in the cooling sleeves, the aim is for the preform to have wall contact with the inner wall of the cooling sleeve over the largest possible period of time during after-cooling. After the retraction of the nipples, the outer wall of the entire preform blow-molded part should be in wall contact with the corresponding inner wall of the removal sleeve, except in the case of tapered sections. Preferably, therefore, the preforms are already introduced into the removal sleeves during the takeover by the removal sleeves until full and full inner wall contact of the entire blower part. According to the device, each nipple on two relatively movable pipe sections, at the end of each a retaining shoulder is firmly attached. For both approaches described above, each nipple on air channels, via which controlled compressed air in the interior of the Blasteile the preforms can be fed. By means of controlled adjusting means the actuating plate is moved with respect to the platform, for a simultaneous activation of all pressing or sealing rings. The adjustment means have a pure support function during the calibration. The Pressbzw. Sealing rings hold in squeezed state on the preform inside. Even a small force of the adjusting means for the actuator plate is sufficient for a good sealing. Advantageously, the nipples are arranged on a common actuation plate on a platform, via which the retraction and extension movement of the nipple into or out of the preforms and the positioning of the nipple takes place within the sampling sleeves. For this purpose, the platform controlled drive means are assigned to the positioning of Pressbzw. Sealing rings in an optimal penetration depth or at an optimal location.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the removal of the preforms from the extraction sleeves and the transfer to the cooling sleeves of an aftercooler take place upon reaching a sufficient dimensional stability, but within the time of a Spritzgiesszyklus. After calibration, the press or sealing rings can be relaxed and the pressure in the interior of the blowing parts can be released. A negative pressure can be generated via the air channels via the nipples and the preforms can be transferred to the aftercooler by means of the nipples. The nipple has no cooling function for this purpose. Preferably, during the short calibration time no exchange of air between the interior of the preform and the ambient air. The nipples are equipped with air channels, via which in the preforms vacuum for Preformentnahme can be generated. Within the nipples, the air duct for compressed air and suction air can be the same. Preferably, the pipe sections are arranged displaceable one inside the other, wherein the inner pipe section has at least one air channel. In this concept, the device consists next to the removal gripper from an aftercooler and a transfer gripper for the transfer or for Switching the preforms from the removal gripper to the aftercooler, for final cooling of the preforms, regardless of the injection molding cycle.

According to a second advantageous embodiment, the device has an aftercooler designed as a removal robot with a multiple, in particular a 4-fold number of cooling positions with respect to the injection positions of the injection molds. Here, the preforms to be transferred hot are inserted into each free cooling positions, calibrated, cooled intensively and ejected after the final cooling. Here, the nipples can support the ejection of the ready-cooled preforms from the extraction sleeves and the transfer to a conveyor belt with controlled suction and compressed air. Also, according to the second embodiment, after the calibration, the pressing or sealing rings can be relaxed, the pressure in the interior of the blowing parts drained, the nipple extended and held in a waiting position to repositioning the aftercooler for a new batch of preforms of the subsequent injection molding.

For these two embodiments, the calibration of the preforms by compressed air and is usually limited in the period by the Spritzgiesszyklus. Pressing and calibrating the still soft preforms has enormous advantages:

First, by the firm pressing of the outer skin of the preforms to the inner, cooled with water withdrawal tube ensures maximum heat transfer and maximum cooling effect.

Secondly, the external dimensions of the preforms are precisely restored with the calibration and remain during the subsequent one

Form consolidation obtained.

Third, with the rapid passage of the so-called glass transition temperature, the physical quality parameters are ensured.

Fourth, with the production of a highly cooled and solidified outer material layer sufficient dimensional stability of the preforms for the subsequent handling or repositioning of the removal sleeves into smaller Cooling tubes or in an aftercooler and the subsequent discharge to a conveyor belt achieved.

In the case of preforms with a widening neck, the transition region between the threaded part and the neck ring is air-cooled from the outside. Here, the preforms are pushed to the stop of the neck rings on the front side of the cooling sleeves, wherein the cooling sleeves are formed so that between the bottom part of the preforms and the corresponding bottom part of the cooling sleeves a minimum gap, preferably in the range of hundredths of a millimeter, remains can be canceled with the calibration.

Preferably, the device has an actuating plate, which is designed to be controllable. By means of nipples, the preforms a) can be calibrated and / or b) transposed and / or c) can be removed from the cooling sleeves after cooling has been completed, for discharge onto a conveyor belt.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the cooling sleeves are arranged in the aftercooler in staggered rows, the preforms being calibrated in the cycle of the injection cycle a) and b) cooled for a total of 4 cycles and c) taken from the cooling sleeves after complete cooling by means of the nipples and dropped onto a conveyor belt.

Here it is particularly advantageous if the aftercooler can be moved transversely to the machine axis and vertically controlled. In this case, the aftercooler takes over the positioning for a suitable position of the free cooling positions to the mold cavities on the one hand and the correct position of the correct preform rows in the aftercooler to the nipples or actuator plate on the other. The aftercooler moves horizontally in and out of the injection molds and vertically for the correct height of the targeted rows. The nipples only move horizontally in the direction of the cooling sleeves. For the discharge of the finished cooled preforms, the nipples or the actuating plate can additionally perform a Drehkippbewegung. During 3 to 4 cycles, the preforms can be changed over at least once by means of the nipples in cooling sleeves reduced by the shrinkage mass. Again, the aftercooler can be set horizontally and vertically in the correct position. Because the aftercooler is assigned at least one servo motor per axis, any movement can be performed with the highest accuracy and the next position in both axes (Y and Z) of the corresponding plane can be approached immediately.

The blowing of the outer end side of the preforms can during all 4 cycles, possibly with interruptions, performed, resulting in a correspondingly improved heat transfer by reheating the preform outer skin or at a higher wall temperature. Thus, the compressed air consumption can be economized. This embodiment with an after-cooling time of 4 injection cycles allows a wide variety of combinations of external blowing in the context of handling the preforms. Previous experience has shown that a calibration is efficient enough only in the first phase of aftercooling, since with increasing solidification of the preforms or with the cooling over the entire preform wall cross section a change in shape requires an ever greater air pressure. Blowing on the outside of the open preform is an optimization issue between the cost of the compressed air and the desired dimensional stability of the open end side of the preforms. At least it may be advantageous to blow the preforms during a second cycle time at the outer open end. This is independent of whether the preform is plugged into a closer cooling sleeve and, if necessary, recalibrated. For less sensitive preforms, the calibration can be completely omitted and, for example, only the thread area can be blown. In extreme cases, the blowing air can be controlled individually for each of the staggered rows. Brief description of the invention

The invention will now be explained with reference to some embodiments with further details. Show it:

FIG. 1a shows a cooling sleeve according to the invention with water cooling as well

Air cooling of the outer skin of the open end side of the preform; FIG. 1b shows a detail enlargement of FIG. 1a; FIG. 2a shows a nipple optimally inserted into a preform in the region of the open end side of the preform; Figure 2b shows a nipple in an enlarged scale with a floating arranged pressing or sealing ring. FIG. 3 a shows an external cooling of the transition region between

Threaded part and blown part of the preforms; Figure 3b shows a partial section of Figure 3a on a larger scale; FIG. 4a shows a detail enlargement of an air-outside cooling; FIG. 4b shows an air-outside cooling in a preform with a widening neck part; Figures 5a, 5b and 5c again very schematically show an optimal

Penetration of the press or sealing rings and the external cooling, wherein in the figures 5b and 5c additionally a Luftaussenkühlung the delicate, non-supported areas takes place; Figure 6a shows a differently designed thick-walled preform with corresponding

Positioning of the nipple or the sealing ring; FIG. 6b shows the solution according to FIG. 6a, but the inflation pressure has been released and the sealing ring has been relieved; FIG. 6c shows the removal of a preform by means of the nipple in the function of a holding nipple; Figure 7 schematically shows an example of a first approach with an additional aftercooler; 8 shows schematically an example of a second approach in which the

Removal robot is designed as an aftercooler; FIG. 9 shows a heat profile recorded on a preform, which without

Calibration was created; FIG. 10a shows a test example with a preform calibration; FIG. 10b shows a faulty preform in which the transition region which was not supported in the cooling sleeve without solidification according to the invention.

Ways and embodiments of the invention

In the following reference is made to Figures 1a and 1b, which show a solution according to the invention with a cooling sleeve 1 with water cooling and air cooling of the outer skin. Shown are two cooling sleeves 1 a row [1], which are fixed to a common base plate 2 via screws 3. The cooling sleeve 1 consists of an outer cooling jacket 4, which extends over the entire length of the base plate 2 to the neck ring 5 of the preform 6. The cooling sleeve 1 consists essentially of the outer cooling jacket 4 and an inner cooling tube 8, which inwardly has a forward cylindrical pipe section 9 and rearwardly a hemispherical dome 10. At the dome 10, a bore 11 is mounted in the middle. The cooling tube 8 is fixed at the rear end via a base 12 by means of the screw 3 to the base plate 2. The cooling tube 9 has outwardly projecting guide ribs 13, which extend with little play to the inside of the cooling jacket 4. The guide ribs 13 are arranged spirally in a known per se, so that an optimal circulation of the cooling water 14 (dotted) is ensured. The fresh cooling water is supplied via a feed bore 15, deflected at the front end of the pipe section and returned via a return bore 16 for cooling water treatment. In order to avoid water leaks 15 and 16 and between the base 12 and the front end of the pipe section 9 each sealing rings 17 and 18 are arranged both in the supply and the return bore. With the exception of a small distance A between the neck ring 5 of the end face 19 of the cooling jacket 4th the preform 6 is completely inside the cooling jacket 4. The preform 6 shown in FIG. 1a is a preform with a neck piece 22 conically tapered over the region 21. The preform is substantially cylindrical over the region 23, and the area 24 is formed like a dome. With respect to the new invention, the location 20, the transition from the cylindrical region 23 to the conical region 21, is particularly important, since in the preform 6 there is a zone of highest temperature immediately after removal from the open injection molds. As can be seen from FIG. 1 a and in particular the detail enlargement according to FIG. 1 b, the conically tapered neck piece 22 is not supported to the outside. This has several consequences:

First, the respective neck 22 is poorly cooled relative to the cylindrical portion.

Secondly, in the transition region 21, 23 thermal stresses occur immediately after the transfer of the preforms to the cooling sleeves.

Third, the thermal stresses cause deformations throughout

Area of the neck piece 22.

The new invention therefore proposes, according to the example of Figures 1a / 1b, the neck piece 22 to cool specifically with compressed air. Via a compressed air line 30, the preforms 6, which are arranged in a row [1], connected to a compressed air source, not shown. Each cooling sleeve 1 is supplied via a short connecting piece 31 and a Druckluftzuführbohrung 32 with compressed air, for example, 6 bar. Inside the cooling sleeve, on the open end side, a steering ring 33 is inserted. The steering ring 33 has a double function:

First, the cooling air is precisely guided to the points or zones, which must be primarily cooled. It is first and foremost point 20, and subsequently conical section 21, 22.

Secondly, as much as possible of the energy of the expansion cold should be used. For this purpose, the compressed air is fed into an annular prechamber 34. From the antechamber 34, the compressed air is over a very narrow annular gap 35 of at most a few tenths of a millimeter thick in the direction of preform outer skin driven. From point 20 results in addition to the increase in air velocity, an enormous expansion cold, which is now double cooling effect

^■ > a) by the very high air velocity, - ^ b) by the expansion cold.

The geometry of the conical preform neck creates an ideal or at least approximately ideal Laval opening angle (alpha). This results in a conically enlarged in the flow direction cooling channel 36, so that even the weakest part of the neck piece 22 is optimally cooled. Experiments have shown that the solution according to the invention gives a pure surface cooling of the relevant point in the first 1 to 2 seconds. This is very advantageous in that it quickly solidifies the preform surface. With the Nachfluss the still stored in the Preformwandung this can be partially carried away in the course of a few seconds. After only 1 to 2 seconds, the preform neck 22 has a sufficient dimensional stability, so that during a subsequent calibration this point is no longer damaged.

The steering ring 33 is fixed with a Segering 37 in the cooling jacket 4. By a suitable surface treatment of the annular gap 35 directed end face 38, a precise gap size can be ensured. The steering ring 33 is sealed to the outside with a 0-ring 39. The compressed air supply line 30 may be a commercially available plastic pipe connection. To control the air supply, the lines of the same row [1] or [2] or [3] or [4] can be switched on via a valve. However, it is also possible to connect in large molds with 100 to 200 mold cavities in each case all treated in the same cycle rows of cooling tubes to a common valve.

FIG. 2a shows the direct relationship between the function of the nipples 40 as calibration nipples and the conical section 21 of a preform 6 Expression. The corresponding conical outer part of the preform 6 is specifically cooled in advance immediately after removal from the open mold halves in advance and solidifies the unsupported outer wall layer within the cooling sleeve 1. This gives the entire preform 6 at the tapered transition 21 a sufficient dimensional stability. To the outside, the steering ring 33 is held within the head part of the cooling sleeve 1. During assembly, the steering ring 33 is inserted inside the cooling sleeve 1 from right to left. The cooling air is indicated by the arrows KL. Before the Pressbzw. Sealing ring 41 of the nipple 40 comes into contact with the inner wall of the preform 6, the cooling air is already in action. The calibration begins only after a time delay after the removal device with the cooling sleeves 1 has already moved out of the open molds (FIG. 6a).

FIG. 2b shows the insertion part of the nipple 40 according to FIG. 2a on a larger scale. A very preferred feature is the floating storage of Pressbzw. Sealing ring 41. The pressing ring 41 is held on both end sides by means of loose support rings 47. The two loose support rings 47 have an inner diameter "D", which is greater by a small clearance than the outer diameter "d" of the support tube 43. Also in the longitudinal direction is game "Spa" between the support ring 47 and the connector 44. So get the press or sealing ring 41 in the inactive state a freedom of movement in the sense of a slight Taumeins or swimming. It automatically results in an optimal annular sealing point, for example 45, 45 'or 45 "on the pressing or sealing ring 41st

FIGS. 3a and 3b show an external cooling of the preforms 6x without calibration in the non-critical transition 20 between the threaded part 7 and the blow part 23 of the preform 6. Many preforms 6x have an outer conical taper 22 in this section. Compressed air can be injected via an air connection 32 and discharged back into the open air via a cooling channel 36. This additional cooling has the great advantage that it can be used effectively from the first moment of transfer of the preforms 6x to the cooling sleeves 1 and additionally over the entire calibration time. The most striking structural difference To a "normal" cooling sleeve is that in the open mouth region, an air guide ring 33 is arranged. On the inside of the air guide ring 33, an annular cooling channel is arranged from the point of the air connection 32 to the Abblasstelle 48 to the environment around the respective Preformteil. Thus, the cooling air sweeps targeted the whole corresponding conical outer side of the preforms to the front side of the neck ring. 5

FIGS. 4a and 4b show a preform 6xx with a conically widened neck piece 50. In this preform type, the widened neck piece belongs to the blow molding part and rests on the inner wall of the cooling sleeve 1 during the calibration. The cooling sleeve inner wall gives the preform 6xx the definite external shape. The whole blow part of the preform 6xx is up to the neck ring 5. The optimum sealing point of the pressing or sealing ring 41 lies in the region of the cylindrical portion in the region of the neck ring 5 (FIG. 5b). But this is the Neckringteil when bulging of the press or sealing ring 41 in terms of deformation at risk, since this part is only partially supported from the outside. Here comes the additional external air cooling (KL) to bear. With the air cooling of the threaded part 7 and the neck ring 5, the outer skin of the thread 7 gets a higher strength. This is independent of whether the preform is calibrated or not. FIG. 4b shows yet another interesting design concept. The cooling sleeve is composed of standardized components and consists of an inner cooling sleeve 52, an outer cooling sleeve 53 and a jacket sleeve 54 and a head ring 55, with which the air channels (gap Sp) are formed. Depending on the shape of the preform 6, 6x, 6xx, the inner cooling sleeve 52 is designed and a corresponding head ring 55 is placed. 56 is the lowest thread, with 2 of the base 12 of an actuator plate and 18 denoted the sealing rings. According to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the cooling sleeve 6xx is designed such that after the insertion of the preforms into the cooling sleeves, a minimum gap 57 of a few tenths of a millimeter remains at the bottom part. By contrast, the neck ring 5 should already rest completely upon insertion on the end face of the cooling sleeve. The gap can be removed with the calibration. It can, according to Figure 5a, be dispensed with in many cases in a purely cylindrical blower on an external cooling. However, in the endeavor to shorten the machine cycle time even more, it may also be advantageous in the case of preforms 6 with a cylindrical blow-molded part to solidify the threaded part 7 at an early stage, so that any handling during aftercooling does not cause any damage to the thread.

FIG. 5b shows a preform 6xx with an enlarged diameter in the region of the open end. This preform is no longer supported in the neck ring 5 and thread in the cooling sleeve. Here it is therefore of great advantage if the outer skin of said area is solidified immediately after the transfer of the injection molds to a removal gripper with cooling air.

FIG. 5 c shows a solution which can prevent deformations, in particular bumps, in the relevant section when the corresponding blow part 22 is tapered. This is especially true for extremely short cycle times of less than 10 seconds and for thicker preform wall thicknesses. In the common preforms for PET bottles of 1 - 2 liters content of treated with cooling air section is usually 3 to 5 cm, the thread itself makes up about 2 cm.

It follows from the above that for all preform types 6, 6x, 6xx from the moment of removal from the open mold halves

the best possible cooling conditions are created at all times; the preform is, apart from a brief interruption, immediately after the sliding from the open mold halves in the cooling sleeves 1 to

Retracting the nipple 41 during the calibration phase to the inner

Cooling surfaces of the extraction sleeves 1 pressed on; the brief interruption for a wholly-owned concern of the preform 6 is made up for by the subsequent calibration; After calibration, the preforms 6, 6x, 6xx are already in a dimensionally stable state on all sides. The preforms 6, 6x, 6xx therefore remain after the Calibration to the final cooled state in its outer geometric form.

With maximum design of the water cooling circuits

==> in the injection molds,

==> in the field of injection molding cavities and injection molding mandrel as well

==> in the extraction sleeve

a maximum intensive effect is generated. According to a first design path with a downstream aftercooler 89 (FIG. 7), it is not the aim to finish cooling the preforms 6, 6x, 6xx within an injection molding cycle. However, it is desirable to bring the preforms 6, 6x, 6xx until the end of the three to four times longer post-cooling in a sturdy, storable and transportable state.

This results in big advantages:

==> the prerequisite for an extreme shortening of the cycle time,

==> thus further increasing the productivity of

injection molding machine,

==> a maximum dimensional accuracy of the preforms ==> as well as the best possible qualitative properties of the preforms, for example with regard to crystallinity and freedom from damage.

Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show the calibration and the removal of the preforms 6, 6x, 6xx from the sampling sleeves 1 by means of the nipple 40 in the function of a holding nipple. Above the nipple 40, the interior of the blower part is set to overpressure (+ mark) (FIG. 6a), or the preform 6 is sucked onto the nipple 40 (symbol) according to FIG. 6c. On the support tube, a centering ring 61 is attached to the rear end, which fits exactly to the open end of the preform 6, for accurately holding the preforms on the nipples 40. On the opposite side of the preform 6 suction air is given to the closed preform end (sign) according to FIG. 6a. For preform recording, the preform 6 goes to stop 62 to the Actuator plate 86 and can be completely removed from the removal sleeve and passed, for example, the aftercooler 89 (Figure 7) or according to a second approach (Figure 8) are dropped by switching to compressed air.

In the figure 6a, the control of the compressed air supply is shown schematically. Via a voltage-controlled control valve 64, 65 is set via the voltage in volts by means of control 66, the compressed air supply for the calibration, preferably from the beginning of the calibration, a continuous swelling of the inflation pressure is sought. This can be counteracted by the cooling effect of the cooling sleeve 1 adjusting shrinkage of the preform 6 and a rapid solidification of the outer skin can be achieved. The preform 6 can thus be pressed against the inner wall of the cooling sleeve in an optimal manner during the entire duration of the calibration, without causing bloating in the area of the unsupported areas or damage due to the handling of the preforms.

FIG. 7 shows a situation in accordance with a first embodiment with a removal robot and an aftercooler 89 separate from the withdrawal before the extraction device 81 is extended from the open mold halves 78 and 79 and the beginning of the calibration and the intensive cooling. In this case, a platform 97 with the nipples 40 is already in a ready position for the transfer of the preforms

6 to the aftercooler 89 as indicated by arrow. The platform 97 is supported via an arm 92 on a displacement device and linear guide rails on a support bracket and can be moved via a linear drive parallel to the machine axis. The linear drive is anchored to the back of a tab of the support plate 74. With the activation of the linear drive, the nipples 40 are moved toward and away from the removal device 81 (as shown by the arrow). The actuator plate 86 are assigned adjusting means 88, which have the only function of squeezing and relieving the pressing or sealing rings 41. The figure

7 schematically shows an injection molding machine for preforms with the following main elements: a machine bed 71 on which a support plate 74, a fixed mold clamping plate 72 and an injection unit 73 are mounted. A movable platen 75 is supported axially displaceably on the machine bed 71. The two plates 72 and 74 are interconnected by spars 76, which are passed through the movable platen 75. Between the support plate 74 and the movable platen 75 is a drive unit 77 for generating the closing pressure. The fixed platen 72 and the movable platen 75 each carry a mold half 78 or 79, between which a plurality of cavities can be formed to produce a corresponding plurality of sleeve-shaped injection molded parts. The injection molded parts 6 are produced in the cavities 100 between mandrels 96 and cavities. After opening the mold halves 78 and 79, the sleeve-shaped injection-molded parts 6 adhere to the mandrels 96. The same injection-molded parts 6 in the finished cooled state are shown in the upper left corner of FIG. 7, where they are being dropped from a post-cooling device 89 onto a conveyor belt 90. The upper spars 76 are shown interrupted for the purpose of better showing the details between the open mold halves 78, 79. According to the solution according to FIG. 7, the four method steps for the injection-molded parts 6 after completion of the injection molding process correspond to a first approach:

"A" is the removal of the injection molded parts or preforms 6 of the two

Mold halves 78, 79. The still plastic parts are thereby absorbed by a lowered in the space between the open mold halves removal device 81 and raised with this in the position "B".

"B" is the phase of calibration and intensive cooling.

"B" / "C" is the transfer of the preforms 6 from the removal device 81 to a

Transfer gripper 82 and the transfer of the preforms 6 from the transfer gripper 82 to a post-cooler 89, according to the first approach.

"D" is the discharge of the cooled and brought into a dimensionally stable state

Preforms 6 from the Nachkühleinrichtung 89th

FIG. 7 shows, as it were, a snapshot of the main steps for the handling according to the first approach. In the position "B", the injection molding parts 6 arranged vertically one above the other are brought into a standing position by pivoting the transfer device. The transfer gripper 82 consists of a pivotable about an axis 101 platform 97, which carries an actuating plate 86, which are arranged at a parallel distance from each other. The actuator plate 86 is parallel to the platform 97 via a drive or adjusting means 88 ausstellt so that brought in the position "B" the sleeve-shaped injection molded parts 6 from the removal device 81 and pivoted in the position "C" position in the overlying Nachkühleinrichtung 89 can be pushed. The respective transfer takes place by changing the distance "S" between the actuating plate 86 and the platform 97. The still hot injection-molded parts 6 are ready-cooled in the post-cooling device 89 and ejected after a displacement of the Nachkühleinrichtung 89 in the position "D" and on a conveyor belt 90th thrown. The reference numeral 93 denotes the water cooling with corresponding supply and discharge lines, which are indicated for simplicity with arrows and are assumed to be known. The reference numerals 94/95 denote the air side, 94 for the injection resp. the compressed air supply and 95 for the vacuum resp. Air suction stands (Figures 6a and 6c).

FIG. 7 shows a situation at the end of the injection process with opened mold halves 78 and 79, respectively. The temperature of the preforms 6 was lowered in the mold with maximum cooling effect. The preforms 6 may well still be dimensionally unstable, such that they could deform with immediate ejection after the mold opening with minimal external force. At the end of the injection process, the removal device is already in start position and can be lowered after the mold opening without time delay between the open mold halves 78, 79. In the case of the solution shown in FIG. 7, an independent after-cooling device 89 is used, in which the still-hot preforms 6 are completely cooled during 3 to 4 injection molding cycles. A transfer gripper 82 transfers the preforms 6 to the post-cooling device 89 in the "B" / "C" phase. The after-cooling of the preforms 6 takes place in water-cooled sleeves. In FIG. 7, the horizontal plane is designated by EH and the vertical plane by EV. The horizontal plane EH is defined by the two coordinates X and Y and the vertical plane by the coordinates Y and Z. The Z coordinate is vertical, and the X coordinate is oriented transversely to it. The transfer gripper 82 carries a Pivoting movement and a linear movement in the X coordinate. The transfer gripper 82 may be additionally formed with a controlled movement in the Y-coordinate. Because the transfer gripper 82 already has a controlled movement in the X coordinate, the exact positioning of the preforms 6 located on the nipples 40 of the transfer gripper 82 in the X direction can be performed by a correspondingly controlled / regulated movement. For the transfer of the preforms 6 to the aftercooler 89, the aftercooler 89 in this case is moved in the X direction to a fixed position, the transfer gripper 82 is controlled / regulated in the Y direction and brought into the respective desired position. In the preferred embodiment, the movement means for the aftercooler 89 for the two coordinates X and Y for exact positioning for the transfer of the preforms 6 are controllable / controllable. In this case, the transfer gripper 82 is set in each case in a fixed transfer position.

For this information, reference is made in full to WO 2004/041510, and also to PCT 2007/000319.

In the illustrated position of Figure 8, the two mold halves 78 and 79 are in the open state according to a second embodiment, so that the whole aftercooler can enter into the free space between the mold halves. The aftercooler 60 has a total of two axes of motion, a horizontal axis of movement in the Y-coordinate and a vertical axis of motion in the Z-coordinate, which can be coordinated by a machine controller 66. The vertical drive 67 also has an AC servomotor with a horizontal axis. The Nachkühleinrichtung according to Figure 8 has a plurality of parallel and staggered rows [1], [2], [3], [4]. In the example shown, 12 cooling sleeves 1 are shown in a vertical row. The cooling sleeves 1 can be arranged much closer in relation to the conditions in the injection molded parts. Therefore, not only will multiple parallel rows be proposed, but additionally an offset of the rows will be proposed. This means that for a first Spritzgiesszyklus the cooling tubes with numbers [1], for a second injection cycle, the cooling tubes with numbers [2], etc. are called. Are in Example with four parallel rows all rows filled with No. [4], the rows are prepared with No. [1] as described. The remainder is analogous throughout the entire production period. In the example shown, the total after-cooling time corresponds to four times the injection molding time. The air pressure or negative pressure conditions in the after-cooling device 60 must be controllable in rows, so that at a certain time all rows [1] or [2], etc. can be activated simultaneously. In addition to the accuracy of the path control of the aftercooler 60 and the platform 97, it is important that the acceleration and deceleration functions are optimally controlled. The visualization takes place in a command device of the machine control resp. the machine computer instead. The movements can be optimized in every way. This affects, for example, start and stop, but above all accelerations and decelerations in terms of speed and distance.

The moving means for the vertical movement is a vertical drive 67. The vertical drive 67 is slidably mounted on a base plate 68 of a horizontal drive 69. The horizontal drive 69 has an AC servo motor with a vertical axis. The base plate 68 is mounted on four sliding bodies on two parallel slides back and forth. The base plate 68 has on the right side of the image a vertically upwardly directed base plate part, on which the vertical drive 67 is anchored.

A decisive advantage of the solution according to FIG. 8 lies in the very compact construction. The aftercooler is also a removal robot.

The aftercooler 60 exhibits, due to the staggered rows, a strong compression of the cooling positions with respect to the mold cavities in the injection mold.

The aftercooler 60, by virtue of its robot-like movement in the two directions Y and Z, can move into the correct position both with respect to the mold cavities within the open mold halves 78, 79 and with respect to the position of the nipples 40. If the aftercooler 60 has four times the number of preforms 6 per injection cycle, the actuation plate 86 with the nipples 40 can perform the function of calibrating and / or repositioning and / or removal of the preforms 6 and ejection.

The platform 97 has primarily a horizontal movement, this for the calibration and optionally for the Umsteckcken and the removal of the preforms 6 from the aftercooler 60. By an additional Drehkippbewegung about a Drehkippachse 102, the preforms 6 can be dropped onto a conveyor belt 90.

With regard to movement and staggered rows, reference is made in full to EP 1 412 159.

FIG. 9 shows a heat profile recorded on a preform 6x, which was created without calibration. Note the large temperature difference of 62.8 ° C to 45.7 ° C. This results in a radial temperature difference at the end of the shaft of the preform 6 of 17.1 ° C. This leads to an ovalization of the outer shape in the first cooling process. This undesirable ovalization can be reduced or prevented only by a longer cooling time in the mold tool. In the example shown, the heat profile shown was measured at a cycle time of 13.5 seconds. The quality was about 0.2 mm, which is just within the tolerance limit.

FIG. 10a shows a test example with the calibration of the preform 6x with cooling air. The temperature distribution is in a much smaller range of only 3.9 ° C. The cycle time of 13.5 sec was lowered to 11, 5 sec. The ovality was only 0.05 mm instead of 0.2 mm. It follows that according to the invention more precise preforms 6 can be produced at a shorter cycle time. FIG. 10b shows a preform 6x, in which the external cooling according to the invention was not used. The calibration pressure was too high, causing it to bulge in the unsupported conical area.

Claims

claims

1. Apparatus for the after-cooling of preforms (6), wherein the still dimensionally unstable preforms (6) the open mold halves (78, 79) or multiple forms of an injection molding machine and removed by means of water-cooled removal or cooling sleeves (1), in which an air blower is integrated, are at least partially nachkühlbar, characterized in that on the cooling sleeves (1) compressed air connections (32) are arranged, via which the outer skin, at least one in the cooling sleeve (1) supportless area (21, 25) of the preforms (6) , with the concomitant use of the expansion refrigeration of compressed compressed air is coolable.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is associated with a compressed air source with a pressure of at least 2 bar, preferably 4 to 8 bar.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supply of compressed air to the Preformaussenseite preferably via an antechamber (34) and an annular gap or annular channel (35) which is formed as an annular narrow gap takes place.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the narrow gap or annular gap (35) has a thickness of at most a few tenths of a millimeter.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the flow direction an expanding cooling channel (36) from the transition point of the annular gap (35) to the outer skin of the preform (6) is formed, wherein the cooling channel (36) begins in the transition region from the supported to the unsupported area and against the outer, open end side of the preforms (6) is directed.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a controller (66), by means of which the air blowing device can be activated at the latest from the moment of Preformübergabe to the removal or cooling sleeves (1) and during a subsequent calibration.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the water-cooled removal sleeves (1) in the transition region between the threaded part (7) and the blower part cooling channels (36) for a corresponding external cooling of the preforms (6).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in dependence on the geometric configuration of the preforms (6), the cooling channels (36) in the region between the threaded part (7) and neck ring (5) and / or in the transition region between Neck ring (5) and cylindrical blower (23) are arranged.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the water-cooled removal sleeves (1) are formed of standardized parts, such that occasionally guide rings (33, 55) for the cooling channels (36) for cooling the transition region between the Threaded part (7) and the neck ring (5) and / or the transition region between neck ring (5) and blower (23) can be used.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it has a common actuator plate (86) with a plurality of nipples (40) each having an insertion in the preforms (6) and the insertion of the nipple (40) radially aufbauchbare and floating bearing pressing or sealing rings (41) which are insertable into the preforms (6).

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the pressing rings (41) are designed as radially aufbauchbare, in particular floating sealing rings, via which for the construction of an inflation pressure in the interior of the blower part (23) of the preforms (6) a mechanically producible and adjustable sealing force in the direction of the inner wall of the preforms (6) can be generated.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the preforms (6) in still hot, form unstable state of the injection mold for aftercooling water-cooled withdrawal sleeves (1) transferable and during an injection cycle by means of the preforms (6) insertable nipple ( 40) can be calibrated with compressed air to exact external dimensions.

13. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the nipples (40) on a common actuating plate (86) are arranged, which controlled drive means are associated for the introduction and positioning of the press or sealing rings (41) in one optimum penetration depth or at an optimal location (45, 45 ', 45 ") for the sealing rings in the preforms (6) or in the removal cooling sleeves (1).

14. The device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the cooling sleeves (1) are part of an aftercooler (60) which is designed as a removal device and at least a 3-fold, preferably a 4-fold number of cooling sleeves (1). has corresponding to the number of injection positions in the injection mold, wherein the preforms (1) in the aftercooler (60) completely cool to a storage temperature.

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the actuating plate (86) is designed to be controllable, and that with the nipples (40) the preforms (6) d) calibratable and / or e) repositioned and / or f ) after completion of cooling the cooling sleeves (1) are removable for ejection onto a conveyor belt (90).

16. A method for aftercooling of preforms (6) with a threaded part (7), a blowing part and a neck ring (5), which after removal from multiple forms in still hot, form unstable state in water-cooled and equipped with air blowers cooling sleeves (1) at least partially recooled, characterized in that at least a part of the outer open non-supporting end side (21, 25) of the preforms (6) is cooled and solidified by means of compressed air using the expansion cooling of the compressed compressed air, to which compressed air of at least 1 to 2 bar is used ,

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the water-cooled cooling sleeves (1) is assigned a connection for compressed air, which opens into an annular gap (35).

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the annular gap (35) has a thickness of at most a few tenths of a millimeter.

19. The method according to claim 16 to 18, characterized in that the annular gap (35) is aligned against the outer skin and against the open end side of the preform (6).

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that compressed air of at least 2 bar, preferably from 4 to 8 bar, is used.

21. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the cooling air insert is controlled, such that the maximum cooling effect takes place immediately after the preform transfer to the cooling sleeves (1).

22. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that immediately after the transfer of the preforms (6) to the cooling sleeves (1) in the region between the threaded part (7) and cylindrical blown part made an external cooling of the preforms (6) by means of air becomes.

23. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, characterized in that in the case of preforms (6) with an expanding neck (50) of the transition region between the threaded part (7) and neck ring (5) is air-cooled from the outside.

24. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, characterized in that in the case of preforms (6) with an outwardly tapered neck portion (22) this area of the preforms (6) is air-cooled from the outside.

25. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 24, characterized in that after the removal of the preforms (6) from the open mold halves (78, 79) a) to nipples (40) mounted press or sealing rings (41) position-controlled in each of the preforms (6) being inserted in the region between the threaded part (7) and the blowing part, wherein b) the compression rings (41) are up to contact with the inner wall of the preforms (6) and c) by generating a radial in the direction of the inner wall directed force of the interior of the blower part is sealed to the outside and the preforms (6) are calibrated during a spray cycle.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the compressed air for the calibration from the beginning of the calibration swells continuously until the maximum inflation pressure for shrinkage compensation is achieved, wherein the swelling of the air pressure preferably by increasing the control voltage of a control valve (64, 65) in the compressed air supply is achieved.

27. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 26, characterized in that the preforms (6) immediately after insertion into the cooling sleeves (1) from the outside in the transition region between the threaded part (7) and the neck ring (5) and / or are air-cooled to the transition region between the neck ring (5) and the blowing part from the outside and in combination after extending the cooling sleeves (1) from the open mold halves (78, 79) by means of pressing or sealing rings attached to nipples (40) ( 41) calibrated within one injection cycle be introduced, wherein the pressing or sealing rings (41) position-controlled into the transition region between the threaded part (7) and the neck ring (5) or into the transition region between the neck ring (5) and the blower part in the preforms (6) become.

28. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 27, characterized in that the preforms (6) from the open mold halves (78, 79) are transferred directly to an aftercooler (89) having a number of cooling sleeves (1) corresponding to the 4th times the number of preforms (6) produced in one injection cycle.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that the cooling sleeves (1) in the aftercooler (89) are arranged in staggered rows, wherein the preforms (6) calibrated in the cycle of Spritzzylus and b) during 3 to 4 cycles at least once by means of Nipple (40) in order to reduce the shrinkage reduced cooling sleeves (1) plugged, c) cooled for a total of 4 cycles and d) after complete cooling by means of the nipple (40) the cooling sleeves (1) removed and dropped onto a conveyor belt (90).

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that the nipples (40) are arranged on at least one common actuating plate (86), which robots the handling of the preforms (6) during the aftercooling for the calibration, the relocating and the removal of the preforms (6) after complete cooling and the discharge on a conveyor belt (90) ensures.