Krones ProShape oval plastic containers

The ProShape process is an optimised production process for oval or asymmetrical plastic containers. It functions by using the heat-up and stretch blow-moulding technology of the current Contiform series, and combining it with a new module for orientation and selective temperature control of the preforms concerned.

The ProShape module is integrated into the Contiform between a standard linear oven and a standard blowing wheel. The requisite temperature profile is applied to the preforms using temperature-controlled aluminium moulds specifically designed to meet the requirements of the subsequent bottle, thus achieving purposefully optimised material distribution for the downstream stretch blow-moulding process. This enables accurate profiles with sharply defined temperature boundaries to be achieved, permitting stable thick-walled areas to be provided directly adjacent to thin-walled segments.

The process is suitable for producing unusual designs and for lightweighting oval containers. The system can also be simply switched off when round bottles are to be produced in a standard process.

For preform orientation, the machine uses an optical camera system that enables preforms to be recognised by a range of different orientation marks on the neck finish.