EP1561722A1 - Installation for the aseptic filling of a liquid product - Google Patents

Abstract

The plant, with at least one filling unit and at least one closure unit for filling liquid substances into bottles or similar containers under clean-room conditions, comprises an enclosure surrounding fully or partially one or both of these units and forming an exhaust air duct or being connected to such a duct.

Description

The invention relates to a plant for the aseptic filling of a liquid Fillings in bottles or similar containers. It is often necessary to use a liquid Contents aseptic, i. under cleanroom conditions (for example, cleanroom class 100) Bottles or the like. To fill containers and then under clean room conditions to close, for example, when filling very sensitive Beverages, such as dairy products, juices, or in the filling of medical products, etc. In addition, the invention also relates to the filling of hygienic and microbiologically sensitive products under germ-free Air conditions such as Wine, beer or fruit spritzers.

For aseptic filling plants are generally known that within a Enclosure closed to the outside and with filtered, sterile air supplied clean room or clean room area form, through which a transport route for the containers or bottles, then at which point within the Clean room area a rinser, a filling machine and a capper in the conveying direction following each other. As a rule, this is a clean room area surrounded by a security area, in which u. a. Locks or Passages for supplying the empty containers to be filled or for discharging the filled and sealed containers are provided.

The object of the invention is to show a system for aseptic filling, which allows the volume of space to be supplied with the sterile air to keep as small as possible, and u.a. to reduce the production and operating costs. To solve this problem is a system according to the claim 1 formed.

In the system according to the invention, in extreme cases, the clean room or clean room area, for the clean room conditions necessary for aseptic production (e.g., clean room class 100) must be complied with, only by Room volume determined by the space requirements of the filling machine, the Closer and optionally a filling machine preceded treatment machine e.g. for cleaning and / or sterilizing the containers (for example Rinser) is determined. In particular, the filling machine, but also preferably one This filling machine preceeding treatment machine range with their the encircling rotor of the respective machine surrounding hollow cylindrical shielding up to the upper limit or ceiling of the clean room area and connect directly to a local air outlet opening or form this air outlet opening, so by avoiding dead spaces above the machine the total volume of the clean room area is kept small. In another highly advantageous embodiment of the present invention is provided that the hollow cylindrical shields through the upper limit or Cover the ceiling of the clean room area.

Furthermore, in the invention, the shield serves, for example, the filling machine and / or the further treatment machine with its interior as a return air duct, i.e. the air duct is then designed so that the filtered sterile clean air the clean room area via at least one filter device, for example in the ceiling area is supplied in the area of the clean room floor in the interior of the each shield occurs and within this shield up to the Air outlet opening flows. This training also has the advantage that, for example Interventions, e.g. Repair and maintenance of the filling machine and / or at the further treatment machine within the respective shield be carried out from above, without thereby in the actual sterile area outside the shields lost the clean room conditions walk.

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter Darstellung einen Aufriss einer Anlage gemäß der Erfindung zum aseptischen Abfüllen eines flüssigen Füllgutes in Flaschen und dergl. Behälter;

Fig. 2

in vereinfachter Darstellung einen Aufriss der Anlage der Figur 1, jedoch in einer unterschiedlichen Schnittebene;

Fig. 3

einen Grundriss einer Anlage zum aseptischen Abfüllen ähnlich der Anlage der Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 und 5

Darstellungen ähnlich der Fig. 1 und weitere mögliche Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a simplified representation of an outline of a plant according to the invention for the aseptic filling of a liquid filling material in bottles and the like. Container;

Fig. 2

in a simplified representation of an elevation of the system of Figure 1, but in a different sectional plane;

Fig. 3

a plan view of a plant for aseptic filling similar to the plant of Fig. 1;

4 and 5

Representations similar to Fig. 1 and other possible embodiments of the system according to the invention.

The plant, generally designated 1 in FIGS. 1-3, serves for aseptic purposes Filling a liquid product into containers or surfaces 2 under clean room conditions, For example, a sensitive and / or perishable filling, such as. a milk product, a fruit juice or the like or for filling of pharmaceutical products, etc.

The system 1 consists essentially of an outer enclosure 3, the one encloses outwardly substantially tightly closed interior, which through a walk-in intermediate floor 4 (false ceiling) in an upper and a lower area is divided. The upper area forms over the larger one Part of the layout of Appendix 1 a so-called plenum 5 (ceiling space or Space) with access door 5.1 and from this plenary 5 by a vertical Partition wall 6 separated an auxiliary space 7. Both the plenum 5 and the Auxiliary room 7 have a height such that these spaces of people in upright Posture e.g. are accessible for repair and / or maintenance work.

The space below the intermediate floor 4 is sealed by vertical walls 8 Windows 8.1 ua.a. in a security gate 9 and in a representation 1 subdivided below the plenum 5 sterile space 10, which latter in turn by one of the machines used in Appendix 1 enclosing partition or insulating wall 11 in an inner clean room area 10.1 and an outer security area 10.2 is divided. The separation or Insulating wall 11 is for example at least partially formed as a glass wall, so that the accommodated in the clean room section 10.1 machines from the security area 10.2 are visible and thus u.a. the proper way of working This machine can be observed.

In the illustrated embodiment, a rinser 12 in the clean room area 10.1 et al for sterilizing the already cleaned bottles 2, a filling machine 13 for Filling the sterilized bottles 2 with the contents, a capper 14 for closing the bottles and transport facilities for transporting the bottles 2 between the rinser 12, the filling machine 13 and the capper 14 intended. The rinser 12, the filling machine 13 and the capper 14 are each Machines of rotating design with a rotating rotor.

The empty bottles 2 are according to the arrow A of Figures 1 - 3 means a transporter over the security area 10.2 and through an opening or Sluice in the wall 11 of the rinser 12 supplied. The filled and closed Bottles are according to the arrow B of Figures 1 - 3 by means of Transporteurs through an opening or lock in the wall 11 first in promoted the security area 10.2 and transported from there the housing 3.

The wall 11 closes the clean room area 10.1 also in the area of the underside the false floor 4 hermetically to the security area. In the area of Floor 15 are in the wall 11 openings 16 for an air passage of the Clean room area 10.1 provided in the security area 10.2.

The rinser 12 and the filling machine 13 each have a machine in question or the rotor enclosing shielding wall or hollow-cylindrical shielding 12.1 or 13.1. These shields each form substantially a hollow cylinder with its axis co-axial with the vertical axis of the machine is located and open at the bottom as well as top of the machine. Because the Machines in the usual way with feet 17 on the ground 15 get up, is the lower edge or the lower opening of each shield 12.1 and 13.1 of Floor 15 spaced so that between this and the lower edge of each shield 12.1 and 13.1 a ring opening for an air inlet from the respective Machine surrounding space in the interior of the shield 12.1 or 13.1 is formed. In the area of the upper end are the shields 12.1 and 13.1 sealed passed through the intermediate bottom 4 and there, for example covered with a grid 12.2 or 13.2, so that although a stream of air the interior of the respective cover 12.1 or 13.1 in the plenum 5 possible is, the intermediate bottom 4 but also in the shields 12.1 and 13.1 is walkable.

In the clean room area 10.1 additional intermediate walls 18 and 19 are provided, namely an intermediate wall 18 between the rinser 12 and the filling machine 13 and an intermediate wall 19 between the filling machine 13 and the capper 14. The partitions form in the illustrated embodiment, each air passage openings at the bottom 15. You also have openings around the Bottle transfer between the individual sections to allow.

In the intermediate bottom 4 are a plurality of filter means 20 - 23 for generating sterile air provided by filtering. The filter devices 20 - 23 are not used only for filtering, but can also be used to heat or cool the air become. In addition to a filter and a fan are available in such a Application also via a heating element formed by a heat exchanger or cooling element.

Air is sucked out of the auxiliary space 7 and filtered via the filter device 20, i.e. introduced as sterile air in the airlock 9. In the area of the soil 15, the security gate 9 opens into a vertical air channel 24 Air outlet opening over which the air from the airlock 9 back in can flow the auxiliary space 7.

With the filter device 21, air is sucked from the plenum 5 and filtered, i. as sterile air for the most part in the area occupied by the capper 14 part of Clean room area blown 10.1, partly in a hollow cylindrical shielding 14.1 of the capper 14, so that the work or closure area the capper is constantly exposed to sterile air. A smaller part of the filtered sterile air supplied by the filter device 21 enters the safety area 10.2.

From the filter device 22, air is sucked from the plenum 5 and the same Parts filtered on both sides of the partition 18, i. as sterile air in the of the Rinser 12 and in the occupied by the filling machine 13 part of the clean room area 10.1 introduced. From the filter device 23 air is also off sucked into the plenum 5 and in the occupied by the rinser 12 part of the clean room area 10.1, in such a way that at least part of the Air flow generated by the filter device 23 along the inside of the Partition 11 flows down and this also an air curtain on the Lock opening forms at which the bottles to be filled 2 upright from the security area 10.2 in the clean room area 10.1 or to the rinser 12th be encouraged. A similar air curtain of filtered and sterile air is also formed at the lock opening, at which the filled and sealed bottles 2 from the clean room area 10.1 enter the security area 10.2.

As shown by the arrows indicating the air flow, a runs Much of the air flow generated by the filter means 21 - 23 over the Interior of the shields 12.1 and 13.1 upwards and then arrives at the Top of the respective shield back into the plenum 5 back. Part of the from the filter means 21 - 23 generated air flow also flows through the Openings 16 from the clean room area 10.1 in the security area 10.2 and passes as well as those of the filter device 21 directly into the security area 10.2 introduced sterile air via a provided in the intermediate bottom 4 vents 25 back to plenary 5.

In the illustrated embodiment, the filter means 21, 22 and 23 for optimum air distribution at the bottom of the false floor 4 distribution channels 21.1, 22.1 or 23.1.

About the circulating air system formed by the filter means 20 - 23 are the rooms supplied by these facilities at a predetermined target temperature, for example, at a room or air temperature in the range of about 20 - 22 ° C and at a predetermined relative humidity of, for example less than or equal to 70% held.

With 26, an outer air conditioner is designated in the figure 1, which u. a. a filter stage and a climatic stage and via which the plenum 5 and the auxiliary space 7 with pre-filtered and conditioned, i. to a temperature preferably in the range between 20 ° and 22 ° C and on a relative humidity of less or equal to 70% set fresh air are supplied.

The air conditioner 26 as well as the individual filter devices 20, 21, 22 and 23 are regulated so that the air pressure in the sterile room 10 is definitely higher than the atmospheric pressure and also higher than the air pressure in the at the sterile Room 10 adjacent other rooms, such as plenum 5, auxiliary room 7, security gate 9, etc. Furthermore, the outer air conditioner 26 and the filter devices 20 regulated so that the pressure in the plenary 5, in the auxiliary room 7 and also in the Security lock 9 and in adjacent rooms above the atmospheric pressure outside the enclosure 3 is located. The air conditioner 26 balances the air losses from, inter alia, through the openings for the insertion and removal of Containers and closures in the clean room arise

The plant 1 is designed so that in the clean room 10.1 required for the aseptic production clean room class 100 (about 35,000 particles per m ³ air) is reached. An advantage of the system 1 is, inter alia, that the actual sterile room 10 has a relatively small volume and thereby significantly reduce the costs of production and operation, in particular the costs for air conditioning and air conditioning. However, a significant advantage also consists in the fact that, in the event of malfunctions occurring, the interiors of the shields 12.1 and 13.1 are accessible; ie interventions and maintenance work on the rinser 12 and the filling machine 13 can be made, through the top cover 12.2 and 13.2 from the plenum 5 ago. Due to the special guidance of the air flow from the areas surrounding the rinser 12 and the filling machine 13 through the shields 12.1 and 13.1 upward in the room 10 outside the shields, ie in the actual sterile area the conditions of clean room class 100 also during interventions and maintenance of the rinser 12 and be maintained at the filling machine 13.

FIG. 2 shows the plant of FIG. 1 in a modified elevation. Shown is in this figure, a work or recreation room 27 for the operator. This space 27, which also has a filter device 20 from the auxiliary space. 7 is supplied with filtered, sterile air is accessible via the airlock 9. From the room 27 or a corresponding door in case of need, the room 10 reachable. In the partition 8, which also separates the space 27 from the space 10, in turn, at least one viewing window 8.1 is provided.

FIG. 3 shows, in a slightly modified form, the layout of the installation 1a. A special feature here is that the security area 10.2 den Clean room area 10.1 does not completely surround, but this security area 10.2 only on a smaller part of the scope of the clean room area 10.1 connects, so the clean room area 10.2 enclosing wall 11 not only a partition between the security area 10.2 and the clean room area 10.1 forms, but on the greater part of their length the clean room area 10.1 hermetically sealed directly to the environment. This training contributes significantly This helps to increase the volume of space, which is more sterile and more regulated in temperature Air must be supplied as small as possible and thereby the operating costs can be kept low.

As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the security area 10.2 in plan several times Z- or zig-zag-shaped angled and consists of several sections 10.2.1 - 10.2.4, each connecting at right angles to each other, the inlet for the bottles 2 at section 10.2.1 and the outlet for the filled bottles are provided at section 10.2.4 and the conveying directions (Arrows A and B) of the bottles 2 at the inlet and the outlet at right angles to each other run.

FIG. 4 shows, as a further possible embodiment, a system 1 a in which the Housing 3 is simplified and only the plenum 5 and the below having the intermediate bottom 4 sterile space 10. The peripheral wall of the sterile room 10 is in this embodiment of the clean room area 10.1 enclosing wall 11 formed.

The security area 10.2 as well as other rooms, such as e.g. the security gate 9 or the room 27 are missing. The operation of Appendix 1, in particular of the rinser 12, the filling machine 13 and the capper 14 can optically monitored by windows in the wall 11. The plant 1a is suitable for a Use in a bottling hall.

FIG. 5 shows in a representation similar to FIG. 1 as a further possible embodiment a plant 1 b, which in addition by the plant 1 a distinguishes that only the clean room area 10.1 is present, the enclosure So on this clean room area 10.1 enclosing wall 11, the Between bottom 4 and the lower bottom 15 has been limited. Also with this Embodiment which determines and suitable for installation in a bottling hall is the clean room area 10.1 closed to the outside almost airtight. By means of the filter devices 21 - 23 outside air is filtered into the clean room area 10.1 injected as sterile air. The air flow is again through the interiors the shields 12.1 and 13.1 upward, with the air at the top these shields in the production or bottling hall exits. Latter is air conditioned, for example, via an air conditioning and filter device, not shown.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It understands that many changes and modifications are possible without that thereby the thought carrying the invention is abandoned.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1a, 1b

investment

2

bottles

3

housing

4

false floor

5

plenum

5.1

door

6

vertical partition

7

auxiliary space

8th

partition wall

8.1

window

9

Security gate

10

sterile room

10.1

cleanroom

10.2

security Zone

10.2.1, 10.2.2

Section of the security room

10.2.3, 10.2.4

Section of the security room

11

partition wall

12

rinser

12.1

shielding

12.2

top cover

13

filling Machine

13.1

shielding

13.2

top cover

14

capper

14.1

shielding

15

ground

16

Air passage openings

17

foot element

18, 19

partition

20-23

Air-filter device

21.1, 22.1, 23.1

Air distribution duct

24

vertical air duct

25

opening

26

air conditioning installation

27

room

A

Conveying direction of the supplied empty bottles 2

B

Direction of delivery of the filled and sealed bottles 2

Claims (21)

Plant for filling under improved hygienic air conditions and / or for aseptic filling of a liquid filling material in bottles (2) or similar containers, with a clean-room area (10.1), at least one airtight or nearly airtight sealed by at least one wall (11) Filling machine (13) and a following in the transport direction of the container (2) on the filling machine closing machine (14) for closing the filled containers in the clean room area (10.1), with at least one filter device (21, 22, 23) for introducing filtered and sterile air into the clean-room area (10.1) and with at least one air outlet in the area of a ceiling delimiting the clean-room area (10.1) above, characterized in that one of the filling machine (12) and / or the capper (14) or a rotor of the filling machine (12) and / or the capper (14) at least partially enclosing shield (12.1) one with the least ns forms an air outlet in connection or this air outlet forming return air duct. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that in the clean room area (10.1) in the conveying direction of the container (2) of the closing machine (13) at least one additional treatment machine for the container (2), eg for additional cleaning and / or sterilizing the container ( 2), for example, a rinser (12) is provided, and that a circumferential rotor of this treatment machine enclosing shield (12.1) with its interior also forms a standing with an outlet return air guide. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the clean room area (10.1) by at least one separating or intermediate wall (18, 19) at least in one of the filling machine (13) and the capper (14) and preferably in one additional Treatment machine (12) each separated receiving subspace is divided. Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that the part spaces from each other separating intermediate or partition walls (18, 19) through openings for the transport path and eg in the region of a bottom (15) of the clean room area air passage openings (16). Installation according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that each subspace of the clean room area (10.1) is supplied separately via at least one filter device (21 - 23) with sterile air. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall (11) enclosing the clean-room area (10.1) separates the clean-room area (10.1) from a safety area (10.2), which also has filtered through the at least one filter device (21-23). sterile air is supplied. Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that the security area (10.2) has its own air outlet opening (26). Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security area (10.2) extends only along part of the circumference of the clean room area (10.1). Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the the clean room area (10.1) enclosing wall (11) is at least partially made of glass or a glassy material, such as glassy plastic. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one filter device (21 - 23) and / or the at least one air outlet opening on a clean room at the top final floor or intermediate bottom (4) are provided. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shields (12.1, 13.1) are each formed by a wall enclosing a vertical machine axis. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shields (12.1, 13.1) are formed like a hollow cylinder. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a person lock (9) formed in an enclosure (3) of the system and / or an additional space (27) formed in the enclosure (3) of the system and closed by at least one further filter device (20) and at least one further air outlet (24) for the security gate (9) and / or the further space (27), preferably in the bottom area of the security gate (9) and / or the further space (27). Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the filter means (21-23) for supplying the clean room area (10.1) and / or the safety area (10.2) with sterile air with their air inlets in an outwardly closed space or plenum (10). 5) are arranged. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one air outlet opening of the clean room area (10.1) and / or the safety area (10.2) opens into the plenum (5). Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one filter device (20) for supplying the airlock (9) and / or the additional space (27) with its air inlet with an auxiliary space (7) is in communication, and that the at least one air outlet of the security gate (9) and / or the additional space (27) opens into this auxiliary space (7). Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plenum (5) and / or the auxiliary space (7) above an intermediate ceiling (4) are provided, and that the clean room area (10.1) and / or the security area (10.2) and / or the personal lock (9) and / or the additional space (27) are located at a level below the false ceiling (4). Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an air conditioning and filter device (26) for supplying the plenum (5) and / or the auxiliary space (7) with dehumidified and conditioned air. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one filter device (21, 22, 23) communicates with its air inlet with the environment. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one filter device in addition to a filter at least one motor-driven fan, preferably also has a through-flow of the air heat exchanger for cooling or heating of the air. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shields (12.1, 13.1) are at least partially formed of transparent material.

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