Patent ID: 8647101

Claim:
An installation ( 10 ) for the production of containers ( 12 ), comprising: a protective or first enclosure ( 14 ) delimiting a first area (Z 1 ) inside which is placed at least one container blower unit ( 16 ); a confinement or second enclosure ( 18 ) which at least in part adjoins the first enclosure ( 14 ) via a common part ( 22 ) and delimits a sterile second area (Z 2 ) inside which is placed at least one filler unit ( 20 ) for filling the finished containers ( 12 ); at least one opening ( 24 ) in said common part ( 22 ) of said first and second enclosures ( 14 , 18 ) adapted to allow the transfer of containers ( 12 ) from the blower unit ( 16 ) to the filler unit ( 20 ); means ( 26 ) for shutting off said opening ( 24 ) adapted to be moved selectively between an open position in which the shutting off means ( 26 ) allow said transfer of containers ( 12 ) through the common opening ( 24 ) and a closed position in which the shutting off means prevent transfer by isolating the second enclosure in order to decontaminate the filler unit; and at least one transfer device ( 28 ) including at least one transfer wheel ( 30 ) adjacent said opening ( 24 ) adapted to transfer containers ( 12 ) between the blower unit ( 16 ) and the filler unit ( 20 ), wherein at least one part ( 30 A) of the transfer wheel ( 30 ) is mounted to be mobile between at least: a transfer or first position in which said at least one part ( 30 A) of the wheel extends through the opening ( 24 ) to transfer containers ( 12 ) during operation of the installation ( 10 ) in a production mode, and a retracted or second position in which said at least one part ( 30 A) of the wheel is moved to allow closing of the opening ( 24 ) by the associated shutting off means ( 26 ) for operation of the installation in decontamination mode, the movement of said mobile part ( 30 A) of the transfer wheel ( 30 ) between said transfer position and said retracted position being driven from outside the installation ( 10 ), and wherein the transfer wheel ( 30 ) includes a flange ( 40 ) including at least an upper flange element ( 42 ) and a lower flange element ( 44 ) respectively fastened to an upper part ( 30 A) and a lower part ( 30 B) of the wheel ( 30 ), said flange elements ( 42 , 44 ) being connected at least by articulation means ( 46 ) adapted to allow movement between the transfer position and the retracted position of the upper part ( 30 A) of the wheel ( 30 ) forming said part mobile relative to the lower part ( 30 B) of the wheel ( 30 ) forming a fixed part.