Device and process for vacuum recycling in a container treatment unit

Abstract

A device for vacuum recycling in a container treatment unit with a plurality of treatment stations that each have a sealable vacuum area, including a plurality of connection lines, which connect the vacuum areas to each other and/or to a central vacuum accumulator, and a control and/or regulating unit that is configured such that a vacuum created in a vacuum area is partially transferred to another vacuum area and/or the central vacuum accumulator.

1 . A device for vacuum recycling in a container treatment unit, comprising:
 a plurality of treatment stations that each have a sealable vacuum area,   a plurality of connection lines that connect the vacuum areas to each other and/or to a central vacuum accumulator, and   a control and/or regulating unit that is configured such that a vacuum created in a vacuum area is partially transferred to another vacuum area and/or the central vacuum accumulator.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of switchable valves that are arranged at the interfaces between the vacuum areas and the connection lines whereby the control and/or regulating unit is designed for controlled opening and closing of the switchable valves. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , and the vacuum areas are connected to each other in pairs. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , and the central vacuum accumulator comprises a main accumulator that is connected to a vacuum generator. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , and the central vacuum accumulator further comprises at least one recycling accumulator, that is connected to the main accumulator and/or a recycling accumulator via one or several sealable connection lines, and whereby the vacuum areas are connected to the main accumulator as well as to each of the recycling accumulators. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , and the central vacuum accumulator comprises a plurality of recycling accumulators, which are connected to each other in series, to store a plurality of negative pressures that decrease in a cascade-like way. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , and the central vacuum accumulator comprises a circular line that is connected to the plurality of vacuum areas. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , and the volume ratio of the central vacuum accumulator to the vacuum areas is at least 2:1. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , and each of the treatment stations have a filling device to fill a container with a filling product within a vacuum chamber and whereby the vacuum area comprises the vacuum chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , and the treatment stations each have a blowing device or a form-filling device for molding and/or molding and filling of plastic containers within a vacuum chamber and whereby the vacuum area comprises the vacuum chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 9 , and the vacuum area further comprises a dead storage volume of the connection lines. 
     
     
         12 . A process for partial recycling of a vacuum in a container treatment unit, comprising:
 providing a container treatment unit with a plurality of treatment stations each having a sealable vacuum area;   evacuating a first vacuum area to a first pressure;   performing a treatment step on a container within the first vacuum area;   ventilating the first vacuum area, for removal of the treated container; and   prior to ventilating the first vacuum area, creating a connection for pressure equalization between the first vacuum area and a second vacuum area at a second, higher pressure and/or a central vacuum accumulator.   
     
     
         13 . The process according to  claim 12 , and creating a connection for pressure equalization between the second vacuum area and the central vacuum accumulator. 
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 13 , and the creation of the connection between the second vacuum area and the central vacuum accumulator comprises the consecutive creation of a connection between the second vacuum area and at least one recycling accumulator of the central vacuum accumulator at a third pressure that is lower than the second pressure, and a connection between the second vacuum area and a main accumulator of the central vacuum accumulator at a fourth pressure that is lower than the third pressure. 
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 14 , and evacuating the main accumulator of the central vacuum accumulator to the fourth pressure. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 4 , and the vacuum generator comprises a vacuum pump. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 8 , and the volume ratio is at least 3:1. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 8 , and the volume ratio is at least 5:1.