AU676255B2 - Aseptic packaging and dispensing of flowable materials - Google Patents

Description

Our Ref: 501323 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT r Applicant(s): New Zealand Dairy Una Place TAKANINI Auckland NEW ZEALIAND Foods Limited Address for Service: r o DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Aseptic packaging and dispensing materials Invention Title: of flowable The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020

I

ASEPTIC PACKAGING AND DISPENSING OF FLOWABLE MATERIALS TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to aseptic packaging and dispensing of flowable materials, and is applicable particularly but not exclusively to the aseptic packaging for food storage, delivery, and reuse, especially in food processing industries.

BACKGROUND

Fruit for use with dairy foods, for example as a fruit flavouring for yoghurt, is typically processed into small particles of the order of 10 mm diameter packed into sterile plastic bags. In New Zealand it is typical to pack fruit into 25 kg bags, whereas in Europe and North America packaging systems are built around the use of 1 tonne plastic bag,.

Whilst the food may be maintained sterile when in the plastic bag, it loses its sterility when the bags are slit and the fruit placed into hoppers. If the food product requires a long shelf life, then it is important to maintain the food sterile in the further processing of the fruit, for example when the fruit is mixed with yoghurt or other dairy foods.

OBJECT

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved system of aseptically packaging flowable materials particularly suited for aseptic delivery to food processing lines, or one which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of aseptic packaging or dispensing of flowable materials in or from a container for the materials, 6397AUC2.394/at -2the container being provided with a first aperture through which the material can be passed to and from the container interior, the aperture being provided with a first closure means to seal the aperture, including the steps of ensuring that the interior of the container is sterile, sealing a material transfer duct around the aperture and the closure means, the duct being provided with opening/closing means for opening and closing said closure means extending at least partly within the duct, sterilizing the exterior exposed surface of the aperture within the duct and the exterior surface of the closure means and those surfaces of the opening/closing means exposed to the interior of the duct, operating the opening/closing means, to open the closure means and passing the flowable materials to or from the container through the aperture.

Conveniently, the method includes filling any gas space within the container with a sterilised gas (it may be gas or gas mixture which has been sterilised although it is more convenient to use an inert gas such as nitrogen which will have the added advantage of flushing any oxygen from the container). The pressurised sterile gas may be admitted into the container to assist in forcing material out of the container through the first ,aperture.

a Preferable, the container is provided with a second aperture and a second closure means for said second aperture and the method includes introducing the inert or pressurised gas through the second aperture.

The method advantageously includes sealing a gas transfer duct for the gas around the second aperture and the second closure means, the gas transfer duct being provided with second closure means opening and closing means extending at least partly within the gas transfer duct, and sterilising the exterior of the exposed surface of the second .aperture within the gas transfer duct and the exterior surface of the second closure means and those surfaces of the second closure means opening and closing means exposed to the interior of the gas transfer duct.

Conveniently, the method includes sterilising the closure means and the aperture after the closure means has been removed therefrom and preferably operating the or each opening and closing means to close the closure means, after which the material transfer duct may be removed from the container.

6397AUC2.394/at -3- Preferably, the or each closure means is a bung or cap, in which case the method includes engaging a part of the opening and closing means with the bung or cap, and operating the opening and closing means to release the bung or cap from the aperture and withdrawing the bung or cap away from the aperture. Where the bung or cap is threaded to a neck, the method includes rotating the bung or cap to release it from the neck after attaching pait of the opening and closing means to the neck and sealing the opening and closing means to the neck.

Where the container is a rigid container, during filing thereof the first aperture is conveniently positioned at the upper part of the container. Furthermore, in that case during the emptying process, the container is positioned so that the first aperture is located at a lower part of the container.

Conveniently, the aforementioned sterilisation is effected by steam,.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of aseptic storage of flowable material in a sterilised 210 litre metal drum including any of the above mentioned steps.

In another aspect the invention provides apparatus for the aseptic packaging or dispensing of flowable materials in or from a container for the materials, the container being provided with a first aperture through which the material can be passed to and from the container interior, the aperture being provided with a first closure means to seal the aperture, the apparatus comprising a material transfer duct having a connector unit at one end thereof capable of being sealed around the aperture and the closure means, the connector unit being provided with opening/closing means for opening and closing said closure means extending at least partly within the duct, means for connecting the interior of the connector unit with a supply of steam or the like for 30 sterilizing the duct and exterior exposed surface of the aperture within the duct and the exterior surface of the closure means and those surfaces of the opening/closing means exposed to the interior of the duct.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a container in which flowable material can be stored, including a first aperture through which the material can be passed to and from the container interior, the aperture being provided with a first 6397AUC2.304/at -4closure means to seal the aperture, the aperture having a shoulder adapted, to receive a first connector means forming part of a material transfer duct.

Preferably the first connector means has a cavity open at one end, said end having sealing means for sealing around the first aperture and ,he first closure means, the first connector means including closure means opening and closing means extending at least partly within said cavity, a first opening into the cavity to be connected to the remainder of the material transfer duct and a second opening into the cavity to be connecte 1 to a source of sterilising fluid.

Preferably the container is provided with a second aperture and a second closure means for said second aperture, the second aperture having a shoulder adapted to receive a second connector means.

Preferably said second connector means has a second cavity open at one end, said end having sealing means,for sealing around the second aperture and the second closure means, the second connector means including second closure means opening and closing means extending at least partly within said second cavity, a first opening extending into the second cavity, to be connected to the source of sterilising fluid.

Conveniently, there is a second opening extending into the second cavity, to be connected to a source of pressurised or inert gas.

DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention is described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevation in diagrammatic form of the pair of food containers (shown in figure although only one such container is visible in its discharge position (the second container is directly behind the first container as will be apparent from figure 2) Figure 2 is a plan view of the pair of containers, Figure 3 is a side view of a food container in a different position, 6397AUC2.394/tt .1 Figure 4 is a side view of a connector unit, and Figure 5 is a section along the line B B in Figure 4.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In Figures 1 and 2, a pair of standard size cylindrical 210 litre drums 10, 11 are supported on stands 12 with the axes of the dr,.ns inclined at around 30* to the horizontal. The ends of the drums are preferably fastened to the cylindrical body by triple rolled seams. One end is provided with a standard 50mm opening and a standard opening, the openings being diametrically opposed. The other end of each drum has a standard 20mm opening positioned in line with the 20mm opening in the first-mentioned end. The three openings are threaded and closed with threaded bungs although threaded caps could be used instead of the bungs. The drums are preferably "food grade" drums of powder coated steel, the powder coating capable of being steam cleaned.

ir, i igures 1 and 2 the 50mm opening and the 20mm opening in the opposite end are fitted respectively with first and second connector units 13, 14. The first connector units 13 are joined to a change-over valve 15 hving an outlet pipe 16. Steam supply pipes 17 are also connected to each connector unit 13. Similarly, steam supply pipes 18 are also connected to each of the second connector units 14. Nitrogen supply pipes 19 are also connected to the second units 14 or may be substituted for the steam supply pipes 18.

Figures 1 and 2 show the containers 10 positioned for the discharge of the contents thereof. For filling the drum 10, the second connector unit 14 is connected to the same end of the drum 10 as the first connector unit 13 as in Figure 3. The connector units 13, 14 are preferably made of stainless steel.

In Figure 4 part of the end 20 of the drum 10 is fitted with an internally threaded standard 50mm neck 21 having an external rib 22. The neck 21 is normally closed by a threaded bung 23 which has a pair of radially inward projections (unshown) which can normally can be engaged by a tool for tightening or removing the bung.

6397AUC2.394/at -6- The body of the first connector unit is formed with a pair of co-axial cylindrical bores 24, 25, the bore 24 being of smaller diameter than the bore 25 and being fitted with a bush 26 in which a rod 27 is axially slideable and rotatable. The upper of the rod 27 is fitted with a handle 28 and the lower end of the rod 27 is fitted with a bung extractor 29, shown in Figure 5. The outer diameter of the bung extractor 29 is arranged to enter the interior of the bung 23, when the inward projections thereof engage in corresponding grooves 30 in the bu;ig extractor 29. A diametral bore 31 through the bung extractor 29 contains a pair of trapped pointed slugs 32 urged apart by a compression spring 33.

The bottom end of the body of the connector unit 13 has a collar 34 slideable thereon, the collar 34 ha ving an inward flange 35 adapted to engage the neck 21 below the rib 22. The flange 35 is cut away for a length of its periphery, so that the collar 34 can be slid in a radial direction onto the neck 21. A toggle mechanism comprises two pairs of links 36, 37 fastened respectively to the collar 34 and the connector unit body 13. The links 36, 37 are pivoted together on an eccentric 38 bearing against the connector body and rotatable by a handle 39 A large duct 40 has a standard pipe union fitting at one end and opens at the other end into the large bore 25. A pair of diametrically opposed small ducts 41, 42 open into the Smaller bore 24 below the bush 26.

To fit the first connector unit 13 to the drum 10 or 11, it is slid sideways until the flange 35 ergages under the rib 32, the handle 39 is rotated to operate the toggle, bringing the body of the connector unit down until an O-ring seals against the rib 22. The rod 27 is pushed inwards and rotated by the handle 28 until the grooves 30 on the bung extractor 29 are aligned with the projections in the bung 23. The rod 27 is pushed further so that the bung extractor enters the bung 23. Rotation of the handle 28 unscrews the bung 23 until it is free of the neck 21 when the rod 27 is drawn out until a bar 44 therethrough limits further outward travel of the rod 27. The bung 23 is carried by the points on the slugs 32 and is raised clear of the opening of the duct 24. Replacement of the bung 23 is effected by reversing the above process.

The second connector units 14 are very similar to the first connector unit 13 except that they are dimensioned to fit the standard 20mm necks and co-acting bungs. The duct 6397AUC2.394/at -7is omitted.

EXAMPLE OF OPERATION The apparatus described so far is used to receive, store and dispense flowable material in an aseptic manner by the following process. To remove material from the drums or 11, as in Figures 1 or 2 the connector units 13, 14 are fastened to the drums 10, 11 and the steam pipes 17, 18 are attached to the units 13, 14. The valve 15 is opened so as to connect both units 13 to the outlet pipe 16. Bleed valves (unshown) connected to the small ducts 41 on the first and second units 13, 14 are opened and steam is admitted, typically for 15 minutes at 95*centigrade. This sterilises the interior of the units 13, 14 the outside of the bungs 23 and necks 21, the valve 15 and outlet pipe 16. The steam supply is then turned off, the bleed valves closed and nitrogen supply lines 19 are connected to the units 14.

Using the procedure described above, the bungs in the units 14 are removed and nitrogen admitted to the drums 10, 11. The steam supply to the units 13 is closed off and the bungs therein are withdrawn. The pressure of the nitrogen expels the flowable material from one of the drums 10, 11 through the valve 15 and the outlet pipe 16.

When one drum is empty the change-over valve 15 is operated to close off the empty drum and allow the material to flow from the other drum.

To change a drum, a water line is attached to the relevant unit 13, the bung therein is re-inserted into its neck and water is flushed through the unit 13 and out through the pipe 16. The water is turned off and the water line is disconnected, the valve 15 is closed, the bung in the unit 14 is re-inserted, the nitrogen valve thereon is closed and the toggles operated to release both connector units 13, 14 from the drum.

To fill a drum' 10, 11 as shown in Figure 3 the units 13, 14 are attached, using relevant parts of the procedure described above. Sterilisation is effected, the bung are removed and the flowable material is fed into the drum through the duct 40, gas therein being displaced through the unit 14, which can also be used to supply nitrogen or other suitable inert gas into any space remaining in the drum.

6397AUC2.394/at -8-

ADVANTAGES

The method and apparatus of this invention is particularly suited to the aseptic packaging of fruit pieces in flowable form for use in flavouring yoghurt or the like. It enables fruit to be sterilised and be shipped in a an aseptic condition and added to yoghurt without the need for any preservatives. This is especially important in preparing yoghurt for export where preservatives may be banned by the importing country.

VARIATIONS

It is envisaged that the invention is applicable to the food industry and particularly to the storage of fruit, but it may be used for other flowable products which need to be aseptic, for example in the pharmaceutical industry.

Finally, it will be appreciated that various alterations or modifications may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of this invention as claimed.

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Claims (10)

1. A method of aseptic packaging or dispensing of flowable materials in or from a container for the materials, the container being provided with a first aperture through which the material can be passed to and from the container interior, the aperture being provided with a first closure means to seal the aperture, including the steps of ensuring that the interior of the container is sterile, sealing a material transfer duct around the aperture and the closure means, the duct being provided with opening/closing means for opening and closing said closure means extending at least partly within the duct, sterilizing the exterior exposed surface of the aperture within the duct and the exterior surface of the closure means and those surfaces of the opening/closing means exposed to the interior of the duct, operating the opening/closing means, to open the closure means and passing the flowable materials to or from the container through the aperture.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the container is a substantially 20 rigid drum, and a a pressurised sterile gas is admitted into the container. ojeo

3. A method according to claim 2 in which the sterile gas is nitrogen.

4. A method, according to any one of claims i to 3, in which the container is provided with a second aperture and a second closure means thereof, through which second aperture the pressurised sterile gas can be introduced.

A method according to claim 4, including sealing a gas transfer duct for the gas around the second aperture and the second closure means, the gas transfer duct being provided with second opening/closing means for S"opening and closing said second closure means extending at least partly within the gas transfer duct, and sterilising the exterior of the exposed surface of the second aperture within the gas transfer duct and the exterior surface of the second closure means and those surfaces of the second opening/closing means exposed to the interior of the gas transfer 6397AUC2.394/at n duct.

6. A method according to claim 5, in which the or each closure means is a bung threaded to a neck, and the or each opening/closing means is adapted to be attached to the bung to allow the bung to be rotated and moved away from or towards its respective aperture.

7. Apparatus for the; aseptic packaging or dispensing of flowable materials in or from a container for the materials, the container being provided with a first aperture through which the material can be passed to and from the container interior, the aperture being provided with a first closure means to seal the aperture, the apparatus comprising a material transfer duct having a connector unit at one end thereof capable of being sealed around the aperture and the closure means, the connector unit being provided with opening/closing means for opening and closing said closure means extending at least partly within the duct, means for connecting the interior of the connector unit with a supply of steam or the like for sterilizing the duct and 20 exterior exposed surface of the aperture within the duct and the exterior surface of the closure means and those surfaces of the opening/closing means exposed to the interior of the duct.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 comprising a plurality of said connector units, each connector unit having its own duct with said ducts connected to a valve which can be switched between said ducts as required to allow aseptic flow of materials to or from any one of said connecting unit:;.

9. A method of aseptic packaging or dispensing of flowable materials substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Apparatus for the aseptic packaging or dispensing of flowable materials in or from a container for the materials substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. 6397MAUA D96/at ~s ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for the aseptic packaging or dispensing of flowable materials such a chopped fruit in or froim a food grade drum allows a pair of drums to be connected to connection units 13 which in turn are connected via a changeover valve to a duct 16. The drums each have a pair of apertures sealed by bungs which in use are covered by the connector units 13 and 14. To remove material from the drums or 11 the connector units 13, 14 are fastened to the drums 10, 11 and the steam pipes 17, 18 are attached to the units 13, 14. The valve 15 is opened so as to connect bchI units 13 to the outlet pipe 16. Steam is admitted, typically for 15 minutes at This sterilises the interior of the units 13, 14 the outside of the bungs, the valve 15 and outlet pipe 16. The steam supply is then turned off, and nitrogen supply lines 19 are connected to the units 14. The bungs which are covered by the connector units 14 are removed a:d nitrogen admitted to the drums

10. The steam .supply to the units 13 is closed off and the bungs therein are withdrawn. The pressure of the nitrogen expels the flowable material from one of the drums 10 or 11 through the valve 15 and the outlet pipe 16. When one drum is empty the change-over valve 15 is 20 operated to close off the empty drum and allow the material to flow from the other drum. (Figure 2) 6397AUC2.394/at -PL