DE4031472A1 - DEVICE FOR STERILIZING, FILLING AND SEALING A FILL OPENING - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for sterilizing, filling len and closing of a container having a filling opening tern, with a container inlet and a container outlet having housing and an aseptic arranged therein chamber, which feeds the containers via a transport device are cash.

In a device of this type (EP 3 42 690 A1) the Asep Tikkammer as an extending in the machine longitudinal direction Tunnel formed through which the cup-like to be filled Containers can be transported using a chain. At a the entire tunnel interior must be kept with such a device Aseptic air is applied to the filling chamber a higher pressure than in the upstream sterilization and in the area. The effort for the Operation of such a device is therefore great.

In another device of a similar type (DE 38 09 852 A1), which are especially designed for aseptic filling of bottles hen, the containers are turned into a by means of a rotor individual workstations. Every single container  is adapted from a separate, the container shape enclosed aseptic chamber that slipped over the container and which is under positive pressure. With such a device the consumption of aseptic air can be kept low be, the handling of such a facility is com plicated.

The invention has for its object the aforementioned Device as simple as possible and so that the for the effort necessary for operation, especially on sterilized Medium that remains as low as possible.

The object is achieved in that the aseptic chamber Transport device is assigned so that only the filling Areas of the container containing openings came into the aseptic stick out.

When sterilizing, for example, a cardboard box next to a base already inserted in a cardboard tube used can lid with a filling opening still open thus only need the inside of the can and the do to be sterilized. From the outside of the can only also sterilized those parts in the immediate vicinity range of the filling opening and the can lid. Here can be provided that even before sterilization the closure associated with the filling opening, for example a sun called pull tab, locally sealed and erected. Appropriately, the pull tab is already on the end pieces of the Container attached before the end pieces (lid and bottom) in the container can be used. This pull tab can then be used be sterilized in one go with the inside of the can, so that a there is no separate operation. While thus with conventional sterilizing the container and the closure generally in separate functions units, usually even in separate aseptic chambers takes place, the advantage is achieved according to the invention that  both elements together in the same chamber and without too additional mechanical effort can be sterilized.

The housing containing the aseptic chamber is preferably bis hermetically on the container inlet and outlet poetry. This leads to the advantage that outside of the actual aseptic chamber the device sufficiently clean can be held. In particular, there is the advantage that both the aseptic chamber and the housing surrounding it subjected to a washing process from time to time of sterilization of the entire machine periodic intervals, for example once a day.

In an advantageous embodiment, one, preferably the lower, limitation of the aseptic chamber by the transport unit direction itself formed, which transport as the container the carrier is formed. This leads to a particularly simple design of the aseptic chamber, in the case of a additional wall can be dispensed with. It is advantageous when using a cylindrical housing, the carrier a gradually rotating around a vertical axis switching tactical table, the circumference of which surrounds it closely the housing is guided. Such a tactical table grant performs, for example in comparison to a chain transport, an outer exact movement and a high positioning accuracy. In addition, such a tactical table in install a relatively limited space so that a very compact design is created.

The tactical table is expediently of disk-like design and with provide the containers with clamps on the outer circumference. With such a configuration, additional coupling can be used medium for the containers can be dispensed with.

The aseptic is in an advantageous embodiment of the invention chamber in zones separated by locks for the container  barrel and the container outlet, for sterilizing and for the filling and closing of the containers divided. Thereby the need for sterile air or the amount of suction can be kept small be.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is before seen that the aseptic chamber under atmospheric pressure stands. This reduces any sealing problems.

Further advantages and features of the invention result from the dependent claims and the following description of a Embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned side view of a device according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the only schematically illustrated apparatus of Fig. 1, with some components were allowed Wegge,

Fig. 3 shows the holder of the container during transport through the aseptic chamber and

Fig. 4 shows the holder of the container during transport to the aseptic chamber.

The device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 consists essentially of a base machine ( 1 ), which a transport unit ( 2 ) for feeding the containers to be filled ( 3 ) and a transport unit ( 4 ) for removing the same are assigned. The base machine ( 1 ) is assigned a housing ( 6 ) in which there are devices ( 5 ) for sterilizing and filling containers ( 3 ) as well as other devices for producing and maintaining the sterility of the entire device.

The transport unit ( 2 ), which feeds the container ( 3 ) in the direction of the arrow (B) to the housing ( 6 ), initially contains a station ( 7 ) in which a group of three containers ( 3 ) each crosswise from a conveyor device (only indicated) Transport unit ( 2 ) is inserted. The transport unit ( 2 ) contains a station ( 8 ) which is used to align the three containers ( 3 ) of a group. This alignment can be, for example, the correct positioning of a filling opening ( 9 ) which is provided in the can lid ( 16 ) of a casing sleeve ( 14 ) (see also FIGS. 3 and 4). During this alignment, the containers ( 3 ) are located on a stationary rail ( 10 ), being fixed laterally by two holding jaws ( 11 and 12 ) forming a clamping device ( FIG. 4). After alignment in station ( 8 ), the containers ( 3 ) remain permanently clamped so that the orientation is no longer lost. This is done in that the container ( 3 ) is taken over and held by another pair of jaws in station ( 8 ), while the holding jaws ( 11 and 12 ) move back in the open state. The holding jaws ( 11 , 12 ) can be moved alternately in the direction of the arrows (K and L), so that a group of three of containers ( 3 ) can be transported further in the direction of the arrow (B). Each holding jaw ( 11 , 12 ) is in turn movable in the transverse direction, ie in accordance with the arrow directions (M and N) or (P and Q). After transporting a group of three containers ( 3 ), the holding jaws ( 11 , 12 ) loosen in the direction of the arrow (M and Q), are then retracted in the direction of the arrow (K) and take another group of three of containers ( 3 ) by move again in the direction of the arrows (N and P).

The station ( 8 ) for aligning the container ( 3 ) finally follows Lich a station ( 13 ), which is only indicated by dash-dotted lines in Fig. 2 and contains the devices, for example, a filler ( 9 ) associated closure piece ( 17 ) on Do sendeckel ( 16 ) locally seal and erect (see also Fig. 3). The closure piece, a so-called pull tab, remains open and raised so that the container ( 3 ) can then be cleaned and filled. The pull tab is fed from a film roll, not shown, and cut off.

After the station ( 13 ), the container inlet ( 18 ) follows into the housing ( 6 ), a group of three ( 20 ) of containers ( 3 ) being passed next to an intermediate table ( 19 ) which is in the direction of the arrow (D and E) is movable and which passes a group of three ( 20 ) of containers ( 3 ) to a disk-like tact table ( 21 ) which rotates in the direction of the arrow (A) about a vertical axis, switched in steps. In each case, three loading containers ( 3 ) are inserted from below by a holder ( 24 or 24 ') of the tact table ( 21 ) ( Fig. 3). Therefore, two possi ble embodiments for the bracket are shown in FIG. 3. To the right of the center line (M) of the container ( 3 ) is indicated a slightly conical holder ( 24 ) which is arranged in a corresponding hole in the tact table ( 21 ); left of the center line, however, is an alternative to a cylindrical holder ( 24 '), the diameter of which is reduced in the clamping area. In both cases, the container ( 3 ) are each held in their upper area by the brackets ( 24 or 24 ') by clamping.

Below the bottom (15) of the clamped container held (3) extend stationarily arranged annular rails (23), which are not normally touch the container (3), but only attached to the security, if the clamping of the container (3) through the bracket ( 24 or 24 ′) should be inadequate in individual cases. The rails ( 23 ) are ausgebil det as tubes to which a washing system, which will be explained later, is connected.

The transport unit ( 2 ) is mechanically driven by the base machine ( 1 ), with all important movements of the individual stations being generated mechanically via cam mechanisms. The stationary ring ( 23 ), which is to be regarded as a safety support for the container ( 3 ), can be adjusted in accordance with the respective height format of the container ( 3 ) in the direction of the arrow (F or G) via stamp ( 22 ). When operating a certain format of containers ( 3 ), the stamps ( 22 ) are quasi stationary.

The transport unit ( 4 ), which in each case leads a group of three containers ( 3 ) in the direction of the arrow (C) out of the housing ( 6 ), takes over the sterilized, filled and closed containers ( 3 ) from the tact table ( 21 ). Further stations for possible additional work, for example signing, can be provided here. The container outlet is labeled ( 25 ). The transport unit ( 4 ) is also mechanically driven by the base machine ( 1 ), with all important movements of the individual stations being generated mechanically via cam mechanisms.

The base machine ( 1 ), which contains a base frame ( 26 ) for all mechanical drives, has the tact table ( 21 ), which has a total of three rows ( 81 ) (see Fig. 2) for the container ( 3 ) to be treated. The multi-row tact table ( 21 ) is incremented. It is assigned a so-called lifting yoke ( 27 ), which has a plate ( 28 ) for holding tools, for example blowing nozzles ( 40 ) for hot air or filling heads ( 41 ) for liquid contents (see FIG. 1).

An essential part of the housing ( 6 ) placed on the base machine ( 1 ) is a substantially circular aseptic chamber ( 29 ) which has a rectangular cross section with an upper boundary wall ( 75 ) through which the individual tools are guided. The lower boundary wall of the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) is formed by the tact table ( 21 ), which has the shape of a circular disk and is guided with its circumference close to the ring wall of the housing ( 6 ), which in this area also forms the ring wall of the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) forms. The aseptic chamber ( 29 ) thus consists in principle of the side walls and the roof of the housing ( 6 ) and a bottom, which is formed by the tact table ( 21 ) and the inside of the container ( 3 ) to be sterilized. The aseptic chamber ( 29 ) is used for the actual sterilization of the relevant parts of the container ( 3 ) and is located in the housing ( 6 ), which in turn is largely hermetically sealed to the outside. In the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) (see FIGS . 1 and 3) only the can lids ( 16 ) penetrating the tact table ( 21 ) and the pull tabs ( 17 ) protrude ( FIG. 3), ie the areas of the filling openings ( 9 ) preferably designed as cardboard boxes container ( 3 ). This means that only these parts of the exterior of the can need to be sterilized. A new introduction of germs is small with this arrangement. The inside of the container ( 3 ), the can lid ( 16 ) and the pull tabs ( 17 ) are sterilized in one go, ie no separate devices for sterilizing the closures ( 17 ) are necessary. The sterilization process takes place under atmospheric pressure. The described shape of the inside of the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) brings specific technical parts before. The heating of the surface of the container ( 3 ) required before sterilization can be carried out at a much lower temperature, since it is now possible to heat the container ( 3 ) from the inside with sterile hot air, but from the outside with conventional heating elements. The sterile hot air, which heats the inside of the container ( 3 ), can be kept at a low temperature level, since the heating is supported from the outside. Compared to conventional devices, the temperature was reduced by 80 ° to 120 ° Celsius. Containers ( 3 ), which are normally coated with polyester on the inside, are treated more gently in this way. In addition, expensive sterile air is saved.

As shown in FIG. 2, the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) consists of a first zone ( 30 ), which is assigned to the container inlet ( 18 ) and the container outlet ( 25 ), and also a zone ( 31 ) for cleaning the containers ( 3 ) and finally a zone ( 32 ) for filling and closing the container ( 3 ). The three zones ( 30 , 31 , 32 ) are separated from one another by locks ( 33 , 34 , 35 ). The locks ( 33 , 34 , 35 ) are designed so that the containers ( 3 ) themselves take over the sealing of the adjacent zone. They are also designed so that there is always a container ( 3 ) in the respective lock ( 33 , 34 , 35 ) when the container ( 3 ) is extended or retracted into the aseptic chamber ( 29 ). As a result, he increased air exchange with the environment is avoided, which on the one hand leads to a lower sterile air consumption in the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) and on the other hand to a lower carryover of foreign germs into the aseptic chamber ( 29 ).

The housing ( 6 ) is hen with suction devices ( 36 , 37 , 38 ) verse ( Fig. 1), which are connected both to the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) and to the areas above or below. In particular, a suction device ( 36 ) is also assigned to the area ( 74 ) of the housing ( 6 ) above the aseptic chamber ( 29 ). The tools for the individual 30 workstations described below ( 42 to 71 ) are mounted on the lifting yoke ( 27 ), which can be raised and lowered in the direction of the arrow (H and I), so that the tools can be delivered to the containers ( 3 ).

The first station ( 42 ) of the cycle table ( 21 ) is assigned to the container inlet ( 18 ) and serves to insert a group of three ( 20 ) of containers ( 3 ) from below into the holders ( 24 ) of the cycle table ( 21 ). Each container ( 3 ) of the group of three ( 20 ) is assigned to a row ( 81 ).

The subsequent stations ( 43 and 44 ) form a lock ( 33 ) between the zones ( 30 and 31 ) already described. An empty station ( 45 ) follows. In the subsequent zone ( 46 ), the containers ( 3 ) are preheated with hot air, so that later on, when the container ( 3 ) is sterilized, too large drops do not form. In the subsequent station ( 47 ) steam, which is obtained from an aqueous solution of approx. 65% water and approx. 35% hydrogen peroxide, is then introduced into the interior of the container ( 3 ) through the filling openings ( 9 ), whereby also the filling opening ( 9 ) surrounding area of the container ( 3 ) above the cycle table ( 21 ) is mitsteri lized. An empty station ( 48 ) follows again.

The eight subsequent stations ( 49 to 56 ) of zone ( 31 ) are used for blowing hot air in order to dry the containers ( 3 ) completely. At the lock ( 34 ) between the zones ( 31 , 32 ), at the stations ( 57 , 58 ), there is a blowing device for sterile air.

The following zone ( 32 ) serves to fill and close the sterilized containers ( 3 ). Two filling heads ( 59 , 61 ) are provided, with an empty station ( 60 ) in between, which is kept free for further customer requests. In a subsequent station ( 62 ) there is a foam suction, in the station ( 63 ), if desired, inert gas can be blown into the who.

The subsequent stations ( 64 , 65 ) are used for heat sealing and subsequent cold resealing of the individual pull tabs ( 17 ). An empty station ( 66 ) preferably follows.

The stations ( 67 , 68 ) again form a lock ( 35 ) between the zones ( 32 and 30 ). This is followed by the station ( 69 ) for discharging a group of three ( 20 ) of containers ( 3 ) from the tact table ( 21 ). This is done in that a stamp mounted in the lifting yoke ( 27 ) pushes the container ( 3 ) from above out of the holder ( 24 or 24 ') of the cycle table ( 21 ). The stations ( 70 and 71 ) can be provided for identifying the containers, for example the date or the like.

Narrow gaps in the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) and the locks ( 33 , 34 and 35 ) between the individual zones ( 30 , 31 , 32 ) of the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) keep in connection with the suction devices ( 36 37, 38) and Blower devices ( 39 ) maintain the flow conditions within the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) which are important for the sterility of the machine. For example, in the zone ( 32 ) of the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) is additionally supplied with sterile cooling air via a blower device, so that a slight overpressure arises in relation to the remaining zones ( 30 and 31 ) and no contaminated atmosphere can get into the filling area. However, the amount of air required is only very small because of the relatively small cross section of the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) and the division into zones. In addition, there is suction from the other zones ( 30 and 31 ) of the aseptic chamber ( 29 ), which supports the flow conditions. Due to the favorable arrangement of the aseptic chamber ( 29 ), into which only the areas of the container ( 3 ) containing the filling opening ( 9 ) protrude, the need for sterile air or the suction quantity is kept low. The cleaning, filling and closing of the container ter ( 3 ) takes place within a housing ( 6 ) which is hermetically sealed and has openings only in the region of the container inlet ( 18 ) and the container outlet ( 25 ).

Periodically, for example once a day, a washing process for cleaning and sterilizing the entire machine is carried out. Various line systems are provided for this purpose, for example a washing device ( 76 ) with blowing openings (not shown) and a sterile air device ( 72 ) with blowing devices ( 73 ), both in the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) and in the space above ( 74 ) are directed. During the washing process of the machine ne, the transport unit ( 2 ) and the transport unit ( 4 ) from the drive of the base machine ( 1 ) are automatically decoupled, so that the openings for the container inlet ( 18 ) and the container outlet ( 25 ) can be hermetically closed . In this state, the machine is subjected to the washing process. The washing device consists of Lei line systems, not shown, for supplying, shutting off and distributing the washing media and heating devices.

The device in the broader sense does not yet include be Written devices for extracting hot air, sterile air as well as devices for sterilizing and feeding the filler tes and the facilities for processing and supplying and removing washing media.

In Fig. 1 a hot air supply ( 77 ) can be seen, which is connected to flexible lines ( 78 ) for the blowing nozzles ( 40 ). Furthermore, the filling heads ( 41 ) are connected by flexible lines ( 79 ) to a tank ( 80 ) for liquid contents.

As already explained, the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) is sealed at the bottom by the disk-shaped tact table ( 21 ). The entire interior of the housing ( 6 ) is already sufficiently sterile, although the actual aseptic chamber ( 29 ) is kept particularly sterile.

Claims (12)

1.Device for sterilizing, filling and closing containers with a filling opening, with a housing having a container inlet and a container outlet and an aseptic chamber arranged therein, to which the containers can be fed via a transport device, characterized in that the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) the Transporteinrich device ( 21 ) is assigned so that only the fill openings ( 9 ) containing areas of the container ( 3 ) protrude into the aseptic chamber ( 29 ). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) containing the housing ( 6 ) except for the container inlet ( 18 ) and the container outlet ( 25 ) is hermetically sealed table. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a, preferably the lower, boundary of the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) by the as the container ( 3 ) transportie render carrier ( 21 ) is formed transport device. 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the housing ( 6 ) is cylindrical and the carrier ( 21 ) is a rotating about a vertical axis, step by step switching the tactical table, the periphery of which is guided close to the surrounding housing ( 6 ) . 5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the tact table ( 21 ) is disc-shaped and with the container ( 3 ) on the outer circumference clamping brackets ( 24 ; 24 ') is provided. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) in locks ( 33 , 34 , 35 ) separate zones ( 30 , 31 32) for the container inlet ( 18 ) and the container outlet ( 25th ), for sterilizing and for filling and closing the container ( 3 ) is divided. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) on a lifting yoke ( 27 ) arranged tools ( 40 , 41 ) and suction devices ( 37 ) and blower devices ( 73 ) protrude. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) also serves to sterilize the filler openings ( 9 ) associated with closures ( 17 ). 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) are associated with a plurality of the arranged rows ( 81 ) of containers ( 3 ). 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) is under atmospheric pressure. 11. Device according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the locks ( 33 , 34 , 35 ) are designed so that there is always a container ( 3 ) in the lock ( 33 , 34 , 35 ). 12. The device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the aseptic chamber ( 29 ) essentially by an upper boundary wall ( 75 ), a lateral outer ring wall of a housing ( 6 ), an inner ring wall, and by a bottom forming Tactical table ( 21 ) and the inside of the container ( 3 ) is formed.