Apparatus for hot filling containers

An apparatus for hot filling or warm filling a collapsible thermoplastic container,

• the apparatus comprising:
• a plurality of container stations including a blowing station, a filling station, a capping station, a tilting station, and a cooling tunnel arranged in a predetermined order to produce said collapsible thermoplastic container;
• a compression machine configured to apply an axial compression force to the collapsible thermoplastic container along a longitudinal axis thereof, said compression machine being positioned between the blowing station and the filling station, or between the filling station and the capping station, or after the cooling tunnel, or wherein the filling station includes the compression machine, or wherein the capping station includes the compression machine,
• wherein the collapsible thermoplastic container is configured for a hot filling or warm filling process at the plurality of container stations, the collapsible thermoplastic container comprising:
• a body provided with a shoulder,
• a neck having a circular upper end defining an opening at a first side of the body and a neck ring beneath the upper end,
• a base, defining a base plane at a second side of the body opposite to the first side, the body having a peripheral groove between the neck and an intermediate portion of the container along the longitudinal axis, the peripheral groove comprising a first side, proximal to the neck, and a second side, distal from the neck,
• wherein the first side is configured to come into contact with the second side to thereby reduce the internal volume of the container in response to the axial compression force being applied along the longitudinal axis;
• and
• wherein the compression machine comprises:
• at least one lower body having a surface for supporting the base of the collapsible thermoplastic container and at least one upper body configured to contact a portion of the collapsible thermoplastic container above the peripheral groove, wherein the collapsible thermoplastic container is held in an upright position by the at least one lower body and the at least one upper body,
• an actuator for selectively actuating the at least one lower body and/or the at least one upper body to apply said axial compression force which is sufficient to cause the first side to contact the second side of the peripheral groove of the container, such that the collapsible thermoplastic container has a reduced internal volume and overall height;
• and
• a cooling device including a spray nozzle arranged to cool the peripheral groove of the collapsible thermoplastic container.