Abstract:
An apparatus for shaping plastic preforms for providing plastic containers), having a plurality of shaping stations arranged on a movable carrier, wherein the shaping stations have blowing moulds which accommodate the preforms and within which the preforms are shaped to provide the containers, and wherein the shaping stations each have charging devices which are movable relative to the preforms and which charge the preforms arranged in the moulds with a flowable medium for expansion, and wherein the shaping stations have a valve arrangement which controls the feed of the medium to the preforms, with a clean chamber within which the shaping stations are conveyed with the charging devices, wherein the clean chamber is arranged against the surroundings by at least one wall. Flow connections for guiding the flowable medium are provided between the valve arrangements and the charging devices and the valve arrangements are arranged outside the clean chamber.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The invention relates to an apparatus for shaping preforms of plastic to give containers of plastic. Such apparatuses have been known from the prior art for a long time. In this context, these apparatuses conventionally have a plurality of blow moulding stations, each of which expands the preforms of plastic by charging with air to give containers of plastic by means of blow moulding. 
         [0002]    Aseptic blow moulding machines which have a sterile chamber in order to perform the blow moulding operation under sterile conditions in this sterile chamber are furthermore also known from the prior art. Such a blow moulding machine is known from WO 2010/020529 A2. The problem with such aseptic blow moulding machines is the presence of gaps and bearing points in the sterile zone. Germs could bind in these, being protected from destruction during sterilization of the machine (for example by gaseous H 2 O 2 ) due to the narrow geometry in the gap. 
         [0003]    It would therefore be possible that these germs lead to contamination of the machine and the containers. Such a blow moulding machine, and in particular a stretch blow moulding machine, conventionally has, as mentioned above, a plurality of blow moulding stations in which the preforms are blow moulded to give bottles by application of an internal pressure. EP 1 271 029 B1 describes such an apparatus, which is also called a valve block, for pneumatic control of a blowing pressure for blow moulding of containers. In this context, several embodiments of aseptic valves are also known. 
         [0004]    The disclosure content of WO 2010/020529 A2 is herewith included completely in the disclosure content of the present application by reference. 
         [0005]    In aseptic blow moulding machines in particular, a sterile pressure medium is advantageously employed for charging the containers. This pressure medium, in particular air, is sterilized with the aid of sterile filters and is then led by pressure lines to the valve block and, where appropriate, further into the container. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing an apparatus which allows feeding of a pressure medium into the containers, without contamination of the sterile pressure medium thereby occurring. 
         [0007]    An apparatus according to the invention for shaping preforms of plastic to give containers of plastic has a plurality of shaping stations which are arranged on a movable carrier, wherein the shaping stations each have blowing moulds which serve to accommodate the preforms of plastic and within which the preforms of plastic can be shaped to give the containers of plastic. In this context, the shaping stations each have charging devices which are movable relative to the preforms of plastic and which charge the preforms of plastic arranged in the blowing moulds with a flowable and in particular gaseous medium for expansion thereof. The shaping stations furthermore each have a valve arrangement which controls the feed of the flowable medium to the preforms of plastic, and a clean chamber within which the shaping stations are conveyed with the charging devices, wherein this clean chamber is arranged or sealed off against the surroundings by means of at least one wall. 
         [0008]    According to the invention, flow connections for leading the flowable medium are in each case provided between the valve arrangements and the charging devices, and these valve arrangements are arranged at least in regions outside the clean chamber. Advantageously, at least the pilot and triggering valves are arranged at least in regions outside the clean chamber. This means that the said flow connections are arranged in a given region of the flow path of the flowable medium. In this context, these flow connections can extend, for example, directly from the valve arrangements to the blow moulding dies, but it would also be possible for the flow connections to extend from the valve arrangements to blow moulding pistons and for the blowing air to arrive at the blow moulding dies from the blow moulding pistons. The charging devices can preferably also include both blow moulding pistons and blow moulding dies. Preferably, in a working operation (in which shaping of preforms of plastic to give containers of plastic takes place) of the apparatus, the valve arrangements are always arranged outside the clean chamber. The flowable medium is therefore preferably a gaseous medium, and in particular sterilized blowing air for expanding the preforms of plastic. Advantageously, the apparatus therefore also has a sterilizing device for generating sterilized blowing air. 
         [0009]    As mentioned above, these valve arrangements are relatively difficult to sterilize, since they have a plurality of valve devices and therefore also a plurality of gaps. It is therefore proposed according to the invention to arrange the valve arrangements (called valve block in the following) outside the clean chamber. These valve arrangements or valve blocks serve, as mentioned above, to control the various pressures. In this context, the valve arrangement preferably comprises a plurality of valves through which the process air is fed from compressed air reservoirs into the preforms of plastic and, where appropriate, is also removed again from the finished shaped containers into the surroundings or back into compressed air tanks. Advantageously, in this context these valve arrangements are arranged in a fixed manner. The carrier is advantageously a rotatable carrier, which is also called a blowing wheel in the following. Advantageously, the apparatus has various reservoirs for holding compressed air, the valve arrangements being supplied from these reservoirs. 
         [0010]    The blowing mould can advantageously be opened and closed for the preform of plastic to be fed to it or for the finished shaped container to be removed. Advantageously, the blowing mould is constructed in multiple parts, and particularly preferably the blowing mould parts are arranged on blowing mould carriers. 
         [0011]    In a further advantageous embodiment, the apparatus has a stretching rod in order to extend the preforms of plastic in their longitudinal direction. Advantageously, the clean chamber is constructed in the form of a channel around the shaping stations. This means that advantageously certain regions of the apparatus, such as, for example, a shaft for driving the carrier, and/or also certain regions of the carrier are not arranged in the sterile chamber. 
         [0012]    In a further advantageous embodiment, one or more guide curves are provided, which control the courses of movement of the individual movable elements of the blow moulding stations, such as, for example, the movements of the blowing mould carrier, the movements of the stretching rod and in particular also the movements of the charging devices. In this context, at least some of these guide curves (if a plurality of guide curves is present) are arranged, and preferably at least in part, outside the clean chamber. 
         [0013]    In a further advantageous embodiment, the charging device, which is also called blow moulding die in the following, is arranged such that it is movable relative to the valve arrangement. In other words, the valve arrangement together with the valves is attached in a fixed position and the charging device or the blow moulding piston executes a perpendicular stroke to release constituents of the preforms of plastic, such as, for example, the neck rings of the preforms of plastic. In this context, the process air flows through the valves and the bores in the blow moulding piston into the container, i.e. the preform of plastic. 
         [0014]    The charging devices therefore are advantageously movable relative to the preforms of plastic in a longitudinal direction of the preforms of plastic. By this movement, the charging devices can be mounted on the preforms of plastic, and removed from them again after the blow moulding operation. In a further advantageous embodiment, the valve arrangements are immovable relative to the preforms of plastic in the longitudinal direction of the preforms of plastic. 
         [0015]    Flow connections are understood in particular as meaning devices which lead or guide a medium, and in particular a gaseous medium, from a first point or region to a second point or region. Advantageously, the flow connection leads the medium in the manner of a circumferentially closed channel. 
         [0016]    In a further advantageous embodiment, the flow connections have at least one flexible section. In this context, it is possible for a hose to lead from each of the valve arrangements to the charging devices or blow moulding pistons, but it would also be conceivable for only a section of the flow connection leading from the valve arrangement to the charging device to be flexible in construction. In the variant with a hose described here, the process air is fed through a flexible hose of plastic, which is explained in detail below. 
         [0017]    In this context, as mentioned, the valve block or the valve arrangement is attached to the carrier in a fixed position and the blow moulding piston together with the charging device executes a perpendicular stroke to release the neck of the preform of plastic. Advantageously, in this context the hose has a very smooth internal surface which offers no foothold for germs. Preferably, in this context the internal surface of the hose is coated in a lotus flower-like manner. Advantageously, the particular connection points with which the hose is arranged on the valve arrangement and/or the charging device are also hygienically constructed and have no gaps in which germs can multiply. 
         [0018]    Advantageously, the flow connection is flexible at least in the longitudinal direction of the containers or in the direction of the relative movement between the preform of plastic and the charging device. This flexibility can be achieved, for example, by a bending of the flow connection. 
         [0019]    Advantageously, in this embodiment the flow connection therefore has a flexible hose. In this context, this flexible hose advantageously passes a boundary between the clean chamber and the surroundings. Thus, for example, the hose can extend through a wall which separates the clean chamber from the surroundings. 
         [0020]    In an advantageous embodiment, the flexible hose has an inner hose and a jacket body surrounding this inner hose. In this context, this inner hose can be produced from, for example, an elastic material, such as PTFE, and the jacket body surrounding this hose can be constructed, for example, as a steel braid. By this design, the hose can nevertheless accommodate high pressures of up to 40 bar or more. 
         [0021]    The applicant reserves the right also to claim the hose described here independently of the apparatus. 
         [0022]    In this context, in these embodiments the apparatus has a flexible connection preferably including a seal between the valve arrangement and the charging device. In this context, this flexible connection also advantageously represents a separation between the sterile chamber and the surroundings. It is ensured in this manner that on release of the necks of the preforms of plastic the sterile chamber is at no time in contact with the surroundings. Preferably, at least sections or zones of the flow connection are produced from a flexible material. 
         [0023]    When the charging device or blow moulding die adjoins the preform of plastic, a membrane mounting advantageously offers a contact surface for a rolling membrane, so that this can be charged with the process air. In a further advantageous embodiment, when connected with further elements the inner hose also serves as a sealing surface. In this manner an aseptic connection can be made between a fixed valve block and the charging device by means of a hose of plastic sheathed in metal. 
         [0024]    Thus, for example, the inner hose can have a flanged inner hose which also serves for connection with other bodies. As mentioned, the inner hose can then be made of a plastic, such as, for example, PTFE. The hose of plastic furthermore advantageously has, especially in the end section, a sheath into which the elastic inner hose is inserted. In this context, the internal wall of this hose of plastic which comes into contact with the pressure medium can project into a flange facing and be connected in a fixed manner with other connection points by this flange facing. Advantageously, the flexible section of the hose is therefore arranged at least in sections and in part in a pressure-resistant sheath. An additional seal, in particular an O ring, is furthermore advantageously mounted in the region of the flange facing. 
         [0025]    In a further advantageous embodiment, the flow connection has a rolling membrane. The flow connection can thus have a flexible section of this rolling membrane, this rolling membrane in particular also allowing a relative movement between the charging device and the valve arrangement. In other words, it is possible to mount the said rolling membrane such that when the charging device is raised the sterile chamber remains separated from the surroundings. 
         [0026]    In a lower position in which the charging device can adjoin the support ring of the preform of plastic, this rolling membrane can be supported, for example, by means of its entire outer surface and can be charged with process air on one side in this way without problems, that is to say without risking damage. When the blow moulding piston, that is to say the charging device, performs the stroke upwards, the rolling membrane is not charged with air and therefore is not at risk. In order to allow the rolling membrane to adjoin the contact surface completely, the height of the membrane mounting on the blow moulding piston is advantageously adjustable. The rolling membrane or generally the movable membrane is advantageously arranged opposite a body surrounding this rolling membrane. 
         [0027]    It is furthermore possible, for example, for the charging device to wrap over the neck of the preform of plastic. However, it would also be possible for the charging device to adjoin an upper edge of the preform of plastic or the thread thereof during the charging of the preform with compressed air. 
         [0028]    Preferably, when under a pressure load the rolling membrane is therefore arranged on a sheath surrounding the rolling membrane. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    Further forms and embodiments can be seen from the attached drawings. In these: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  shows a diagrammatic representation of an installation for production of containers of plastic; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  shows a view of a clean chamber in the region of a shaping station; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  shows a representation of a pressure charging unit according to the prior art; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  shows a first embodiment of a pressure charging device according to the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  shows a further embodiment of a pressure charging device according to the invention with a blow moulding die positioned on a preform of plastic; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  shows the representation from  FIG. 5  with the blow moulding die removed from the preform of plastic; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  shows a representation of a hose connection according to the prior art; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  shows a hose connection according to the invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  shows a further representation of a blow moulding die arrangement; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  shows a representation of a sealing device; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 11   a - 11   c  shows three representations to illustrate the sealing of the blow moulding die. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]      FIG. 1  shows a diagrammatic representation of an installation for production of containers of plastic. This installation  50  has a heating device  30  in which preforms of plastic  10  are heated. These preforms of plastic  10  here are led by means of a conveying device  34 , such as here a circulating chain, through this heating device  30  and are thereby heated with a plurality of heating elements  31 . This heating device  30  is followed by a transfer unit  36  which transfers the preforms  10  to a sterilization device  32 . This sterilization device  32  here likewise has a conveying wheel  37  and sterilization elements can be arranged on this conveying wheel  37 , or also in a stationary manner. In this region, for example, sterilization by hydrogen peroxide gas or also by electromagnetic radiation is possible. In particular, an internal sterilization of the preforms is carried out in this region. 
         [0042]    Reference symbol  20  designates a clean chamber in its entirety, the outer boundaries of which are indicated here by the dotted line L. It can be seen that this clean chamber  20  starts in the region of the sterilization unit  32 . Lock devices can be provided in this region in order to introduce the preforms of plastic into the clean chamber  20  without too much gas thereby being lost within the clean chamber. 
         [0043]    As indicated by the broken line L, the clean chamber is adapted to the outer shape of the individual components of the installation. The volume of the clean chamber can be reduced in this manner. 
         [0044]    Reference symbol  1  designates a shaping apparatus in its entirety, in which a plurality of blow moulding stations or shaping stations  8  is arranged on a conveying wheel, only one of these blow moulding stations  8  being shown here. The preforms of plastic  10  are expanded into containers  10   a  with these blow moulding stations  8 . Although not shown here in detail, the entire region of the conveying device  2  is not within the clean chamber  20 , but the clean chamber  20  or isolator is realized to a certain extent as a mini-isolator within the entire apparatus. It would thus be possible for the clean chamber to be of channel-like construction at least in the region of the shaping apparatus  1 . 
         [0045]    Reference symbol  22  refers to a feed device which transfers the preforms to the shaping device  1 , and reference symbol  24  refers to a removal device which removes the containers of plastic  20  produced from the shaping apparatus  1 . It can be seen that the clean chamber  20  has recesses in each case in the region of the feed device  22  and the removal device  24 , which accommodate these devices  22 ,  24 . In this manner, a transfer of the preforms of plastic  10  to the shaping apparatus  1  or a taking over of the containers of plastic  10   a  from the shaping apparatus  1  can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner. 
         [0046]    The expanded containers of plastic are transferred to a filling device  40  with a transfer unit  42 , and are then removed from this filling device  40  via a further conveying unit  44 . The filling device  40  here is also within the said clean chamber  20 . In the case of the filling device also, it would be possible for the entire filling device  40  with, for example, a reservoir for a drink not to be arranged completely within the clean chamber  20 , but here also only those regions in which the containers are actually led. In this respect, the filling device could also be constructed in a similar manner to the apparatus  1  for shaping preforms of plastic  10 . 
         [0047]    As mentioned, the clean chamber  20  is reduced to a smallest possible region in the region of the apparatus  1 , namely essentially to the blow moulding stations  8  themselves. Due to this small construction design of the clean chamber  20  it is possible for a clean chamber to be produced altogether more easily and faster, and maintaining sterile conditions in the operating phase requires less outlay. Also, less sterile air is needed, which leads to smaller filter installations and the risk of uncontrolled eddy formation is also reduced. 
         [0048]      FIG. 2  shows a detailed representation of the apparatus  1  in the region of a blow moulding station  8 . A plurality of such blow moulding stations  8  is moved in rotation around an axis X with a conveying device  2  or a carrier. The blow moulding station  8 , as can be seen in  FIG. 2 , is led within the clean chamber  20 , which is of channel-like construction here. This clean chamber  20  is closed off by a movable side wall  19  and a cover  17  constructed as one part with this side wall  19 . This side wall  19  and the cover  17  here rotate together with the blow moulding station  8 . 
         [0049]    Reference symbol  18  refers to a further wall which bounds the clean chamber  20 . This wall  18  here is an outside wall which is arranged in a stationary manner. Between the cover  17  and the wall  18  a sealing device  25  is provided, which seals off from one another the elements  17  and  18  which are movable relative to one another, for example, as mentioned above, using a water lock. The lower region of the wall  18  is arranged in a fixed and sealed-off manner on a base  13 . Within the clean chamber  20  and here directly adjoining the wall  19  a carrier  26  is provided, which likewise moves in rotation and on which in turn a holding device  23  which holds the blow moulding station  8  is provided. 
         [0050]    Reference symbol  11  refers to a secondary device which can be actuated by a guide curve  9  in order to open and to close the blow moulding station on its path through the clean chamber  20 , in order in particular to insert the preform of plastic into the blow moulding station and in order also to remove it again. A guide curve  9  here is also arranged within the clean chamber  20 . However, it would also be possible, for example, for just a section  11  already to lead out of the clean chamber  20  below the individual blow moulding stations  8 . 
         [0051]    The conveying device  2  can have still further elements which are arranged above the clean chamber  20 . 
         [0052]    The carrier  26  here is arranged in a fixed manner on a holding body  29 , and this holding body in turn is movable relative to the base  13 . Reference symbol  27  here refers to a further sealing device which also effects, in this region, sealing of the regions  13  and  29  which are movable relative to one another. 
         [0053]    Reference symbol  5  refers to a stretching rod which is movable relative to the blow moulding station, in order to stretch the preforms of plastic  10  in their longitudinal direction. A slide  12  here, relative to which the stretching rod is movable in the direction Y, is arranged on the cover  17  here. Reference symbol  21  refers to a further holding means for this slide  12  of the stretching rod  5 . 
         [0054]    It can be seen that certain regions of the stretching rod are both outside the clean chamber  20  and within the clean chamber  20  during the blow moulding operation. For this purpose, it is possible for a protective device, such as a folding bellows, which surrounds the stretching rod  5  to be provided outside the clean chamber  20  or above the slide  12 , so that no region of the stretching rod  5  comes directly into contact with the outside surroundings. Reference symbol U identifies the (non-sterile) surroundings of the clean chamber  20 . Reference symbol  28  identifies a carrier for carrying a base form, which is likewise a constituent of the blowing mould. This carrier likewise can be moved here in the direction Y. 
         [0055]    Reference symbol  55  refers to a sterilization device, which here is preferably arranged inside the clean chamber  20  and serves to sterilize the individual shaping stations or constituents of these shaping stations  8 . This sterilization device  55  here can charge the shaping stations  8 , for example, with hydrogen peroxide or another sterilization agent. The sterilization device  55  here can be arranged in a stationary manner, and the shaping stations can move relative to this sterilization device  55 . 
         [0056]    The blowing moulds (not shown) are arranged within the blowing mould carrier  6 . More precisely, two blowing mould carrier parts which are swivellable relative to one another and which each hold a blowing mould part can be arranged here. By this swivelling operation, the blowing moulds can be opened for introduction of preforms of plastic and for removal of finished blow moulded containers. These blowing mould carriers and blowing moulds here are likewise arranged within the clean chamber. 
         [0057]      FIG. 3  shows an arrangement according to the prior art for charging preforms of plastic with blowing air. A charging device  152  is provided here, which can be applied to an opening of a preform of plastic (not shown) in order to expand this. Reference symbol  156  identifies a feed for feeding blowing air and reference symbol  158  identifies a corresponding opening for removing the blowing air. 
         [0058]    The blow moulding piston  154  moves here relative to the valve block. It can be seen that a plurality of bores and gaps is present for this arrangement, as a result of which the arrangement shown in  FIG. 3  is not suitable for aseptic arrangements. 
         [0059]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment according to the invention of an arrangement for charging preforms of plastic  10  by means of blowing air. Here also a charging device  52  which can be applied to the opening of the preforms of plastic  10  is provided. In contrast to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , however, a flexible flow connection  72  for conveying the process air PL or blowing air is provided here, which is arranged via two connecting points  64 , one on a blow moulding piston  54  and one on the valve block  56 . All the streams of blowing air, both those which arrive at the preform of plastic  10  from the valve block  56  and those which arrive back again at the valve block  56  or the valve arrangement  56 , can pass through this flow connection constructed here as a hose. 
         [0060]    Reference symbol H identifies the stroke of the blow moulding piston  54  towards the valve arrangement  56 . The blow moulding piston  54  is a constituent of the charging device  52  here. Reference symbol  68  identifies a pneumatic seal which is arranged here within the blow moulding piston. The stretching rod  5  which effects an extension of the preform of plastic can furthermore also be seen, this stretching rod  5  here being led through the blow moulding piston. The blow moulding piston  54  therefore moves in the direction shown by the arrow P 1  in  FIG. 4 . Reference symbol LR identifies the longitudinal direction of the preforms of plastic. 
         [0061]    Reference symbol  20  refers again to the sterile chamber and the broken line S identifies the sterile chamber boundary. In other words, there are sterile conditions within the flow connection  60  or the hose  72  and in part non-sterile conditions outside this connection device. Preferably, the flow connection  60  or hose  72  extends through the sterile chamber boundary. 
         [0062]    Reference symbol  53  refers to a blow moulding die which is a constituent of the charging device  52 . This blow moulding die  53  here can be applied to a region of the opening of the preform of plastic in order thereafter to charge this with the gaseous medium. 
         [0063]      FIG. 5  shows a further embodiment according to the invention for expanding preforms of plastic  10 . A charging device  52  or blow moulding die  53  which can be applied to the preform of plastic  10  is likewise again provided. However, between the valve block  56  and the blow moulding piston  54  which is movable relative to this valve block  56  along the arrow P 1  a rolling membrane  62  is provided here, which forms a section of the flow connection  60  for the blowing air. This rolling membrane here has the effect in particular of a flexibility in the direction of the stroke of the charging device. 
         [0064]      FIG. 5  shows the position in which the charging device  52  adjoins the opening of the preform. In this case a fixed guide  75  or guide sheath which is movable relative to the blow moulding piston  54  is arranged here. In the situation shown in  FIG. 5 , the blow moulding piston  54  is in its lowest position and the rolling membrane  62  adjoins the internal wall of the blow moulding piston  54  in a flat manner. If charging with compressed air now takes place, the rolling membrane  62  is merely pushed by this means into the internal wall of the blow moulding piston  54  and cannot be damaged as a result. 
         [0065]    In the position shown in  FIG. 6 , the blow moulding piston  54 , together with the charging device  52 , is in the upper position and therefore, as shown, is at a distance from the preform of plastic  10 . In this situation the rolling membrane  62  is indeed at a distance from the internal wall of the blow moulding piston  54 , but is also not charged with compressed air. 
         [0066]    Reference symbol  68  here also again identifies a pneumatic seal, and reference symbol  78  an opening for feeding compressed air. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , as shown, the charging device  52  wraps over the neck of the preform of plastic. Reference symbol PL in turn identifies the process air. 
         [0067]      FIG. 7  shows a hose arrangement  120  according to the prior art. A total of  5  part figures of such a hose are shown here. It can be seen in particular from the right-hand lower part figure that in particular in the region of a retaining device  130  and a clamping ring  122  and of a collar ring  126  and a hose nipple  124  a plurality of gaps arises, which are difficult to sterilize, or in which germs can settle. 
         [0068]      FIG. 8  accordingly shows an embodiment of a hose  72  according to the invention. It is pointed out that the hose connection described here may also be claimed independently of the subject matter of the independent claim. The applicant reserves the right to claim independently the hose arrangement described here. 
         [0069]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5-6  can also be used independently of aseptic uses or the presence of a clean chamber. The hose connection here has a inner flexible hose  82  and a sheathing  84  which surrounds this hose  82 . An end section of this inner hose  82  projects out such that it can be flanged, in order to establish a connection with further elements in this manner. 
         [0070]    The hose arrangement  72  shown in  FIG. 8  is provided in particular for the aseptic uses which are essential here. The inner hose  82  here, as mentioned above, is made of, for example, PTFE. The hose  72  of plastic can be employed for process air in the pressure range of from 0 to 40 bar, preferably from 8 to 40 bar. The PTFE hose  82  preferably has a corrugated external surface, particularly preferably a smooth or polished internal surface. The inner hose  62  furthermore is preferably flanged on the outside, so that such hoses can be joined to one another or with other components hygienically, that is to say without gaps. 
         [0071]    In order to be able to withstand the high pressure of the process air, the hose  82  is preferably sheathed with the steel braid  84 , this advantageously being a high grade steel braid. Reference symbol  92  refers to a collar with a pressed sheath, which is advantageously present in order to establish a secure connection between the hose  82  and the sheathing  84 . Furthermore, this collar  92  is advantageously screwed on by means of a thread and the sheathing  84  is secured by a pressed sheath on the collar  92 . Reference symbol  86  identifies a flange which can be joined, for example, to the further flange of a further hose piece or, for example, to a housing. The hose  72  therefore has aseptic or hygienic connection points both with one another and to other components. The end section  88  of the hose  82  therefore preferably projects, as stated, into the region of the facing of the flange  86  or beyond it and therefore at the same time assumes there a sealing function to a connected part. 
         [0072]      FIG. 9  shows a representation to illustrate sealing of the charging device or the blow moulding die arrangement with respect to the sterile chamber boundaries. There are provided here a first (upper) sealing device  210  preferably arranged in a stationary manner and a second (lower) sealing device  220  likewise arranged preferably in a stationary manner in the direction L. These sealing devices  210 ,  220  here advantageously assume both a sealing function for the blow moulding die arrangement and a guide function. That means that especially the second sealing device  220  preferably assumes also a guide function for guiding the blow moulding piston  54  (see  FIG. 11  a). In other words, the guide element here is combined with the sealing element. That means that the sealing devices  210 ,  220  therefore preferably can be formed as a rod seal (fixed) and/or as a piston seal (moveable). Such combined guide and sealing devices  210 ,  220  here can be constructed both as one part and in several parts. Advantageously by such a combination of guide and sealing devices  210 ,  220  no more hose is needed for the guidance of the fluid medium and/or high pressure air, since the fluid medium, which is for example sterile air, is brought in directly into the valve block or the valve arrangement  56 , respectively, (see  FIG. 11   a ) and therefore especially from above to the sealing device  220  and from there to the inside of the blow moulding piston  54 . Thereby the valve block or the valve arrangement  56 , respectively is formed unmovable or fixed, respectively, and especially arranged at an upper end or area of the sealing device  220 , so that advantageously the blow moulding piston  54  can be pushed into the valve block or the valve arrangement  56 , respectively. 
         [0073]    Preferably the sealing device  220  (and/or the sealing device  210 ) is surrounded especially at their lower side or area and/or at their upper side or area by sterile air and also by low pressure air, wherein however essentially unsterile ambient air borders especially at the lateral and/or rear areas of the sealing device  220 . 
         [0074]    That means that therefore especially three different pressures are applied to the sealing device  220 . 
         [0075]    Therefore the sealing device  220  and/or the sealing device  210  are attainable with an appropriate sterilisation medium from the high-pressure-subjected side and also from the not-high-pressure-subjected side. 
         [0076]    In this context, it is possible that the rear regions, i.e. those facing away from the clean chamber (i.e. the dead spaces), of the sealing and guide elements  210 ,  220 , due to for example of a defined formed contour of the guide and sealing devices  210  are sealed off from the clean chamber such that no exchange of the sterile blowing air or of the sterile air with these rear regions is possible. Preferably also the arrangement of an o-ring (explain in more detail below) arranged inside a contour between the guide and sealing devices  210 ,  220  and the housing (not shown) serves to seal the rear areas accordingly. 
         [0077]    Preferably the guide and sealing devices  210 ,  220  consist of at least partially or proportionally plastic material, like for example PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) or PTFE (Polytetrafluorethylene) or mixtures thereof. 
         [0078]      FIG. 10  shows a detailed representation of such a sealing device. This has a base body  212  with a sealing lip  216  arranged on this, in particular flexibly. An O ring  214  is arranged in a recess  213 . This O ring serves on the one hand to effect pretensioning of the sealing lip radially inwards, i.e. towards the blow moulding die arrangement. On the other hand, this O ring  214  also effects a hygienic edge seal. 
         [0079]    Reference symbol  218  identifies a slotted guide element which is arranged on the inside of the sealing device  210 . This slotted embodiment has the effect that a sterilization gas can enter into the undercuts or intermediate spaces more easily. The guide surface or the guide element  218  is therefore preferably provided with one or more slots. Reference symbol  215  refers to a (peripheral) recess into which, for example, a further (in particular hygienic) O ring can be inserted. 
         [0080]      FIGS. 11   a - 11   c  show possible positions of a blow moulding die. In the representation shown in  FIG. 11   a , the blow moulding die is in a lower position (in which charging of the preforms of plastic is possible). The sealing lips  216  which adjoin the blow moulding piston  54  or the valve block  56  can be seen again here. 
         [0081]    In the representations shown in  FIG. 11   b  and  11   c , the blow moulding die  53  is in an upper position. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11   b , the blow moulding piston  54  has a straight-line course  232  on its outer circumference. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11   c , a tapering  234  (running from the top downwards) is provided on the outer circumference of the blow moulding piston  54 . This tapering on the blow moulding piston  54  likewise contributes towards better diffusion of the sterilization gas. 
         [0082]    The hygienic O rings can advantageously be pretensioned on the particular edges of the sealing devices  210 ,  220  such that no (flow) connection with the non-sterile space can arise. 
         [0083]    The applicant reserves the right to claim all the features disclosed in the application text as essential to the invention where they are, individually or in combination, novel with respect to the prior art.