EP0220221B1 - Method for inerting tight packages and plant for implementing such method - Google Patents

Method for inerting tight packages and plant for implementing such method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0220221B1
EP0220221B1 EP86902433A EP86902433A EP0220221B1 EP 0220221 B1 EP0220221 B1 EP 0220221B1 EP 86902433 A EP86902433 A EP 86902433A EP 86902433 A EP86902433 A EP 86902433A EP 0220221 B1 EP0220221 B1 EP 0220221B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
packagings
inert
injection
packaging
rendering
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EP86902433A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0220221A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Luc Mizandjian
Jean-Louis Pean
Jean Amen
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MONO-EMBALLAGES
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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MONO-EMBALLAGES
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Application filed by MONO-EMBALLAGES, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical MONO-EMBALLAGES
Priority to AT86902433T priority Critical patent/ATE41903T1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for inerting sealed packaging for liquid, pasty, solid and powdery products; and installation of implementation.
  • US-A-3,942,301 has proposed a discontinuous process, limited to low-flow packaging machines, according to which deoxygenations are carried out under an inert atmosphere by means of a series of two or three simple injections, namely : an injection of inert gas into the empty packaging; an injection of inert gas at the level of the filled packages running on the chain, an injection of inert gas at the level of the packages filled just before closing.
  • the target set corresponding to residual oxygen gas below 2% is very difficult to achieve on industrial packaging equipment.
  • a process has been found whose inerting efficiency on industrial packaging equipment is excellent and meets the requirement for a residual oxygen gas content of less than 2% in the air above the packaging.
  • This process constitutes an improvement to the processes using together or separately deoxygenation of the empty packages in the packaging area, and deoxygenation of the packages after filling, said deoxygenations being carried out by means of injections of inert fluid in the upper part of the container. packaging and directed to the bottom of it.
  • each of these deoxygenations is carried out under an inert atmosphere, by means of two simultaneous injections of inert fluid.
  • the deoxygenation or purging of empty or filled packages is carried out by means of a distribution network of said fluid and the inert atmosphere is created by injection of inert fluid distributed above the packages.
  • the packages can be subjected to a double gas purge before filling and on the other hand after filling.
  • the product to be packaged can be deoxygenated by an inert gas, followed by a phase of settling of the gas bubbles.
  • the fluids, liquids or gases used for the deoxygenation of the product, to be conditioned or the inerting of the packages, are designated as inert gases, that is to say fluids whose action is opposed to biochemical alterations or microbiological caused by oxygen.
  • the inert fluid can denote nitrogen in gaseous or liquid form, which is inert and intervenes by the anaerobic conditions which it creates with respect to microbial species. It is also possible to use with interest a bacteriostatic gas with an inhibiting effect against numerous microorganisms, such as carbon dioxide (C0 2 ), or a nitrogen-carbon dioxide mixture.
  • a bacteriostatic gas with an inhibiting effect against numerous microorganisms, such as carbon dioxide (C0 2 ), or a nitrogen-carbon dioxide mixture.
  • the inert packaging of inert packaging can be implemented in an installation consisting of a packaging machine comprising a packaging forming section, a filling section and a packaging closing section, a supply circuit, the machine being supplied with product to be packaged.
  • the inerting device installed on the packaging machine, according to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing, is of the type comprising an insulation cover (1) equipped in its upper part with a gas distribution network (5) located at -above the packaging, the insulation cover (1) necessary to protect the packaging against any entry of oxygen is provided with an inerting fluid supply circuit (3) and a circuit for supplying purge fluid to the packages (4).
  • the inerting and purging of the insulation cover (1) is carried out by means of a gas distribution network of the inert gas placed laterally and located above the packages, that is to say in the upper part.
  • This purge and inerting system shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing is formed by a ramp (5) provided with injectors (6) in the form of cylindrical tubes aligned horizontally and whose outlet openings are directed towards the top of the cover. protection (1) so as to avoid disturbances of the subsequent purging system of the upper spaces or upper part of the packages.
  • the inerting device further comprises a gas distribution network (7) of the gas coming from the inlet (8), with a view to gas purging of the upper or upper part of the packages.
  • This distribution network or ramp (7) shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing is placed immediately above the central axis of the packages (2) with injection means (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d .. .) directed downwards, aligned, and each formed by one or more cylindrical tubes 10a, 10b, possibly flattened at the end, ensuring effective purging of the gaseous sky.
  • the inerting device comprises a liquid nitrogen distribution network with a view to purging the packaging.
  • This distribution network or liquid nitrogen injection manifold shown in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawing comprises a liquid nitrogen supply line (19) optionally divisible into several circuits (19a, 19b, 19c ...) provided a trap (20a, 20b, 20c) in order to avoid the formation of gas in the distribution pipe or manifold (21) in which said circuits terminate, said manifold being located above the packaging lines and provided with injection means (22a, 22b, ... 22f, 22g) placed immediately above the central axis of the packages.
  • the cold gas from the vaporization of liquid nitrogen then purges the air present in the container. In this case, make sure that the liquid nitrogen is completely vaporized before plugging the container to avoid excessive pressurization of flexible packaging.
  • the insulation cover can be placed above the liquid nitrogen injection system described above, provided with a gas distribution network ensuring an inert atmosphere around the packages as described above.
  • the packaging inerting devices according to the invention can be installed on the packaging line between the packaging forming section and the filling section, in order to ensure filling of the packaging in an inert atmosphere and avoid any oxygenation of the product during its flow, or before closing the filled packaging in order to inert the gaseous sky of the packaging and thus improve the conservation of the product.
  • the supply circuit of the packaging machine shown in FIG. 4 of the appended drawing, comprises a means for injecting gas (11) of the injector type placed on the line (13) and (14) of the liquid or pasty and a buffer tank (15) positioned on the packaging device allows the settling of bubbles.
  • An ejector venturi
  • another means of gas injection can also be used on the liquid or pasty line (14) and placed at the bottom of the buffer tank (15).
  • the inerting process for leaktight packaging according to the invention can be applied to the conservation of any liquid or pasty food product: beers, wines, fruit juices, drinks based on fruit juices, concentrates and syrups, milk and dairy products, oils and derivatives, lipid products (sauce and mayonnaise). It is also applicable to pharmaceutical and biological products.
  • the inerting sequence includes two stages, according to which, the packaging is protected against any entry of oxygen and the creation of an oxygen-free atmosphere in the packaging area before closing of these with an inert gas, then with a gaseous purge of the gaseous sky of the packages after filling by a gas distribution network.
  • the clarified wine is conveyed through the line (12) to the so-called “Sparger” type injector and the nitrogen is introduced through the line (13) into said injector.
  • the deoxygenated wine is conveyed through the line (14) to the lower part of the buffer tank (15) in which the bubbles settle, the degassed wine is withdrawn through the line (16) at the base of the tank (15) and between in the filling section (17) of the packaging machine.
  • the closing section (18) of the packaging machine comprises the insulation cover (1) described above, a nitrogen inlet (3) for purging and inerting the gas chamber, and an inlet for a nitrogen-carbon dioxide mixture (8). purging gas from the packaging.
  • Red wine is conditioned at 11 °, at a temperature of 22 ° C, at a flow rate of 2 m 3 / hour.
  • the installation carried out includes in particular an insulation cover of length 630 mm, width 270 mm and height about 300 mm; an inertization ramp for this isolation cover of the inerting device, comprising five inert gas injection tubes, made of 8-10 stainless steel, the distance between two injection tubes being 100 mm; and a ramp for purging the packaging after filling, with a length of 334 mm, comprising four double injections, constituted by 6-8 stainless steel tubes, the distance between 2 injections being 110 mm.
  • Each injection is double, consisting of two stainless steel tubes, 6 mm in diameter, flattened at their ends and spaced 20 mm apart.
  • the wine contains 1.2 ppm of dissolved oxygen
  • 1.8 m 3 / hour of nitrogen is injected into the clarified wine. After this conditioning, the dissolved oxygen content of the wine is 0.6 to 0.7 ppm.
  • the inerting of the cover of the inerting device is carried out by nitrogen injection, and the gas purging of the packages and of the closure using an inert gas consisting of 50% nitrogen, 50% anhydride carbonic.
  • Analytical controls are carried out on the gaseous overhang of the packages after packaging, on 200 packages.
  • the results obtained in the form of average values for this quantity of packaging are recorded in the table below, as well as the volumes of nitrogen in m 3 / h used for the inerting of the cover of the packaging machine, and the volumes in m 3 / h of the inert mixture 50% N 2 -50% CO 2 .
  • the fourth test is carried out with injection above the packaging and at the start of closing and the control is carried out after 16 hours.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Abstract

The method applied to the inerting of tight packages implements together or separately the desoxygenation of empty packages in inert atmosphere, the purge of the gaseous sky of the packages after filling and before closing by using an inert fluid, in inert atmosphere, each operation being effected by two simultaneous injections of fluid; said liquid or pasty product being optionally desoxygenated by an inert gas. This technique is applicable to the preservation of any liquid, pasty, solid and powdery food product, to pharmaceutical and biological products.

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé d'inertage d'emballages étanches pour produits liquides, pâteux, solides et pulvérents ; et installation de mise en oeuvre.The present invention relates to a method for inerting sealed packaging for liquid, pasty, solid and powdery products; and installation of implementation.

Les produits alimentaires, liquides, pâteux ou solides, au contact avec l'air ambiant sont soumis à de nombreux risques d'altérations biochimiques ou microbiologiques qui se traduisent par des brunissements, des pertes de saveur, voire de vitamines, des goûts désagréables... Ces dégradations, conséquences de la présence d'oxygène sont fonction du temps de contact entre le produit et l'air ambiant.Food products, liquid, pasty or solid, in contact with ambient air are subject to many risks of biochemical or microbiological alterations which result in browning, loss of flavor, even vitamins, unpleasant tastes. These degradations, consequences of the presence of oxygen, are a function of the contact time between the product and the ambient air.

Si ces phénomènes de dégradation sont aujourd'hui assez bien maîtrisés, lors de la fabrication des produits, jusqu'à leur stockage en vrac, les risques d'altérations qui apparaissent pendant ou après conditionnement des produits finis ne sont pas toujours parfaitement éliminés ; ceci est essentiellement dû à une maîtrise difficile des paramètres de manutention et de stockage des produits liquides ou pâteux.If these degradation phenomena are today fairly well controlled, during the production of products, until their storage in bulk, the risks of alterations which appear during or after packaging of the finished products are not always perfectly eliminated; this is mainly due to a difficult control of the parameters of handling and storage of liquid or pasty products.

Afin de limiter les risques de dégradation du produit alimentaire et par cela augmenter sa durée de conservation, il est indispensable d'éviter la présence d'oxygène dans le produit sous forme d'oxygène dissous, et dans son emballage sous forme d'oxygène gazeux. L'utilisation d'une technique d'inertage parait ainsi bien adaptée au conditionnement des produtis alimentaires.In order to limit the risks of degradation of the food product and thereby increase its shelf life, it is essential to avoid the presence of oxygen in the product in the form of dissolved oxygen, and in its packaging in the form of gaseous oxygen. . The use of an inerting technique thus seems well suited to the packaging of food products.

Si les techniques actuelles de désoxygénation des liquides alimentaires par barbottage à l'azote ou mise sous vide réduisent considérablement la concentration en oxygène dissous ; elles se révèlent parfois insuffisantes. En effet, l'action de l'oxygène présent dans le ciel gazeux de l'emballage n'est pas négligeable et peut entraîner la dégradation de produits sensibles aux oxydations, en particulier pendant des durées de stockage prolongé, notamment dans le cas des produits destinés à l'exportation.If current techniques of deoxygenation of food liquids by bubbling with nitrogen or evacuating considerably reduce the concentration of dissolved oxygen; they sometimes prove to be insufficient. Indeed, the action of the oxygen present in the gaseous overhead of the packaging is not negligible and can lead to the degradation of products sensitive to oxidation, in particular during periods of prolonged storage, in particular in the case of products intended for export.

Le brevet US-A-3.942.301 a proposé un procédé discontinu, limité à des machines de conditionnement à faible débit, selon lequel on procède à des désoxygénations sous atmosphère inerte au moyen d'une série de deux ou trois injections simples, à savoir : une injection de gaz inerte au niveau des emballages vides ; une injection de gaz inerte au niveau des emballages remplis défilant sur la chaîne, une injection de gaz inerte au niveau des emballages remplis juste avant fermeture.US-A-3,942,301 has proposed a discontinuous process, limited to low-flow packaging machines, according to which deoxygenations are carried out under an inert atmosphere by means of a series of two or three simple injections, namely : an injection of inert gas into the empty packaging; an injection of inert gas at the level of the filled packages running on the chain, an injection of inert gas at the level of the packages filled just before closing.

Mais l'inertage d'un produit liquide, pâteux ou solide conditionné impose l'élimination de l'oxygène contenu dans le ciel gazeux de l'emballage étanche et de l'oxygène éventuellement dissous avant ou lors du remplissage.However, the inerting of a packaged liquid, pasty or solid product requires the elimination of the oxygen contained in the gaseous atmosphere of the sealed packaging and of the oxygen possibly dissolved before or during filling.

On a recherché un procédé permettant, après conditionnement, de limiter à moins de 2 % la teneur en oxygène résiduel dans le ciel gazeux de l'emballage ; il est indispensable d'obtenir ce résultat pour garantir l'absence de dégradation du produit alimentaire, pour garantir l'absence de dégradation du produit alimentaire.We sought a process allowing, after conditioning, to limit to less than 2% the residual oxygen content in the gaseous air of the packaging; it is essential to obtain this result to guarantee the absence of degradation of the food product, to guarantee the absence of degradation of the food product.

L'objectif fixé, correspondant à l'oxygène gazeux résiduel inférieur à 2 % est très difficile à atteindre sur des équipements de conditionnement industriel.The target set, corresponding to residual oxygen gas below 2% is very difficult to achieve on industrial packaging equipment.

Il a été trouvé un procédé dont l'efficacité d'inertage sur des équipements de conditionnement industriel est excellente et répond à l'exigence d'une teneur en oxygène gazeux résiduel inférieur à 2 % dans le ciel de l'emballage. Ce procédé constitue un perfectionnement aux procédés mettant en oeuvre ensemble ou séparément une désoxygénation des emballages vides dans la zone de conditionnement, et une désoxygénation des emballages après remplissage, lesdites désoxygénations étant effectuées au moyen d'injections de fluide inerte dans la partie haute de l'emballage et dirigées vers le fond de celui-ci.A process has been found whose inerting efficiency on industrial packaging equipment is excellent and meets the requirement for a residual oxygen gas content of less than 2% in the air above the packaging. This process constitutes an improvement to the processes using together or separately deoxygenation of the empty packages in the packaging area, and deoxygenation of the packages after filling, said deoxygenations being carried out by means of injections of inert fluid in the upper part of the container. packaging and directed to the bottom of it.

Selon ce procédé chacune de ces désoxygénations est effectuée sous atmosphère inerte, au moyen de deux injections simultanées de fluide inerte. La désoxygénation ou purge des emballages vides ou remplis est réalisée au moyen d'un réseau de distribution dudit fluide et l'atmosphère inerte est créée par injection de fluide inerte distribué au-dessus des emballages.According to this process, each of these deoxygenations is carried out under an inert atmosphere, by means of two simultaneous injections of inert fluid. The deoxygenation or purging of empty or filled packages is carried out by means of a distribution network of said fluid and the inert atmosphere is created by injection of inert fluid distributed above the packages.

Les emballages peuvent être soumis à une double purge gazeuse avant remplissage et d'autre part après remplissage.The packages can be subjected to a double gas purge before filling and on the other hand after filling.

Suivant la nature du produit à conditionner, on peut procéder à une désoxygénation de celui-ci par un gaz inerte, suivie d'une phase de décantation des bulles gazeuses.Depending on the nature of the product to be packaged, it can be deoxygenated by an inert gas, followed by a phase of settling of the gas bubbles.

Les fluides, liquides ou gaz mis en oeuvre pour la désoxygénation du produit, à conditionner ou l'inertage des emballages, sont désignés comme gaz inertes, c'est-à-dire des fluides dont l'action s'oppose aux altérations biochimiques ou microbiologiques provoquées par l'oxygène.The fluids, liquids or gases used for the deoxygenation of the product, to be conditioned or the inerting of the packages, are designated as inert gases, that is to say fluids whose action is opposed to biochemical alterations or microbiological caused by oxygen.

Le fluide inerte peut désigner l'azote sous forme gazeuse ou liquide, qui est inerte et intervient par les conditions anaérobies qu'il crée vis-à-vis des espèces microbiennes. On peut également utiliser avec intérêt un gaz bactériostatique à effet inhibiteur contre de nombreux microorganismes, tel l'anhydride carbonique (C02), ou un mélange azote-anhydride carbonique.The inert fluid can denote nitrogen in gaseous or liquid form, which is inert and intervenes by the anaerobic conditions which it creates with respect to microbial species. It is also possible to use with interest a bacteriostatic gas with an inhibiting effect against numerous microorganisms, such as carbon dioxide (C0 2 ), or a nitrogen-carbon dioxide mixture.

Le procédé d'inertage d'emballages étanches peut être mis en oeuvre dans une installation constituée par une machine de conditionnement comprenant une section de formage des emballages, une section de remplissage et une section de fermeture des emballages, un circuit d'alimentation, la machine étant alimentée en produit à conditionner.The inert packaging of inert packaging can be implemented in an installation consisting of a packaging machine comprising a packaging forming section, a filling section and a packaging closing section, a supply circuit, the machine being supplied with product to be packaged.

Le dispositif d'inertage, installé sur la machine de conditionnement, selon la figure 1 du dessin annexé, est du type comportant un capot d'isolation (1) équipé dans sa partie supérieure d'un réseau de distribution gazeuse (5) situé au-dessus des emballages, le capot d'isolation (1) nécessaire à la protection de l'emballage contre toute entrée d'oxygène est muni d'un circuit d'alimentation en fluide d'inertage (3) et d'un circuit d'alimentation en fluide de purge des emballages (4).The inerting device, installed on the packaging machine, according to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing, is of the type comprising an insulation cover (1) equipped in its upper part with a gas distribution network (5) located at -above the packaging, the insulation cover (1) necessary to protect the packaging against any entry of oxygen is provided with an inerting fluid supply circuit (3) and a circuit for supplying purge fluid to the packages (4).

L'inertage et la purge du capot d'isolation (1) sont effectués au moyen d'un réseau de distribution gazeuse du gaz inerte placé latéralement et situé au-dessus des emballages, c'est-à-dire dans la partie supérieure. Ce système de purge et inertage représenté sur la figure 2 du dessin annexé, est formé par une rampe (5) munie d'injecteurs (6) en forme de tubes cylindriques alignés horizontalement et dont les orifices de sortie sont dirigés vers le haut du capot de protection (1) de manière à éviter les perturbations du système de purge ultérieure des espaces supérieurs ou partie haute des emballages.The inerting and purging of the insulation cover (1) is carried out by means of a gas distribution network of the inert gas placed laterally and located above the packages, that is to say in the upper part. This purge and inerting system shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing, is formed by a ramp (5) provided with injectors (6) in the form of cylindrical tubes aligned horizontally and whose outlet openings are directed towards the top of the cover. protection (1) so as to avoid disturbances of the subsequent purging system of the upper spaces or upper part of the packages.

Le dispositif d'inertage comporte en outre un réseau de distribution gazeuse (7) du gaz provenant de l'arrivée (8), en vue de la purge gazeuse de la partie supérieure ou partie haute des emballages. Ce réseau de distribution ou rampe (7) représenté sur la figure 3 du dessin annexé, est placé immédiatement au-dessus de l'axe central des emballages (2) avec des moyens d'injection (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d...) dirigés vers le bas, alignés, et formé chacun d'un ou plusieurs tubes cylindriques 10a, 10b, éventuellement aplatis à l'extrémité, assurant une purge efficace du ciel gazeux.The inerting device further comprises a gas distribution network (7) of the gas coming from the inlet (8), with a view to gas purging of the upper or upper part of the packages. This distribution network or ramp (7) shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing, is placed immediately above the central axis of the packages (2) with injection means (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d .. .) directed downwards, aligned, and each formed by one or more cylindrical tubes 10a, 10b, possibly flattened at the end, ensuring effective purging of the gaseous sky.

Ces dispositifs permettent l'obtention d'un inertage très efficace, essentiellement dû aux limitations des entrées d'air et perturbations par des courants latéraux ; à l'utilisation de tubes cylindriques dont l'effet de purge se montre plus performant que celui des buses. Le régime de sortie du gaz, très proche du régime laminaire réduit les possibilités d'entraînement d'air. Le double système de purge du ciel gazeux des emballages concourt à l'efficacité de l'inertage.These devices make it possible to obtain very effective inerting, essentially due to the limitations of air inlets and disturbances by lateral currents; when using cylindrical tubes whose purge effect is more effective than that of the nozzles. The gas outlet regime, very close to the laminar regime, reduces the possibilities of air entrainment. The double gas purge system for packaging contributes to the efficiency of inerting.

Selon une variante, le dispositif d'inertage comporte un réseau de distribution d'azote liquide en vue de la purge des emballages. Ce réseau de distribution ou rampe d'injection d'azote liquide représenté sur la figure 5 du dessin annexé, comprend une canalisation d'alimentation en azote liquide (19) éventuellement divisible en plusieurs circuits (19a, 19b, 19c...) munis d'un purgeur (20a, 20b, 20c) afin d'éviter la formation de gaz dans la canalisation ou rampe de distribution (21) dans laquelle aboutissent lesdits circuits, ladite rampe étant située au-dessus des lignes d'emballages et munie de moyens d'injection (22a, 22b,... 22f, 22g) placés immédiatement au-dessus de l'axe central des emballages.According to a variant, the inerting device comprises a liquid nitrogen distribution network with a view to purging the packaging. This distribution network or liquid nitrogen injection manifold shown in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawing, comprises a liquid nitrogen supply line (19) optionally divisible into several circuits (19a, 19b, 19c ...) provided a trap (20a, 20b, 20c) in order to avoid the formation of gas in the distribution pipe or manifold (21) in which said circuits terminate, said manifold being located above the packaging lines and provided with injection means (22a, 22b, ... 22f, 22g) placed immediately above the central axis of the packages.

Le gaz froid issu de la vaporisation de l'azote liquide purge alors l'air présent dans le récipient. Il convient dans ce cas de s'assurer de la vaporisation totale de l'azote liquide avant bouchage du récipient pour éviter toute pressurisation excessive d'emballages souples.The cold gas from the vaporization of liquid nitrogen then purges the air present in the container. In this case, make sure that the liquid nitrogen is completely vaporized before plugging the container to avoid excessive pressurization of flexible packaging.

On peut placer avantageusement au capot d'isolation, au-dessus du système d'injection d'azote liquide précédemment décrit, muni d'un réseau de distribution gazeuse assurant une atmosphère inerte autour des emballages comme précédemment décrit.Advantageously, the insulation cover can be placed above the liquid nitrogen injection system described above, provided with a gas distribution network ensuring an inert atmosphere around the packages as described above.

Les dispositifs d'inertage d'emballages selon l'invention peuvent être installés sur la chaîne de conditionnement entre la section de formage des emballages et la section de remplissage, afin d'assurer le remplissage de l'emballage dans une atmosphère inerte et d'éviter toute oxygénation du produit lors de son écoulement, ou avant fermeture des emballages remplis afin d'inerter le ciel gazeux de l'emballage et améliorer ainsi la conservation du produit. Ces deux opérations peuvent être effectuées conjointement si nécessaire.The packaging inerting devices according to the invention can be installed on the packaging line between the packaging forming section and the filling section, in order to ensure filling of the packaging in an inert atmosphere and avoid any oxygenation of the product during its flow, or before closing the filled packaging in order to inert the gaseous sky of the packaging and thus improve the conservation of the product. These two operations can be carried out jointly if necessary.

Le circuit d'alimentation de la machine de conditionnement, représenté sur la figure 4 du dessin annexé, comporte un moyen d'injection de gaz (11) du type injecteur placé sur la canalisation (13) et (14) du liquide ou pâteux et un bac tampon (15) positionné sur le dispositif de conditionnnement permet la décantation des bulles. Un éjecteur (venturi), autre moyen d'injection de gaz, peut aussi être utilisé sur la canalisation (14) du liquide ou pâteux et placé en fond du bac tampon (15).The supply circuit of the packaging machine, shown in FIG. 4 of the appended drawing, comprises a means for injecting gas (11) of the injector type placed on the line (13) and (14) of the liquid or pasty and a buffer tank (15) positioned on the packaging device allows the settling of bubbles. An ejector (venturi), another means of gas injection, can also be used on the liquid or pasty line (14) and placed at the bottom of the buffer tank (15).

Le procédé d'inertage d'emballages étanches selon l'invention peut, être appliqué à la conservation de tout produit alimentaire liquide ou pâteux : bières, vins, jus de fruits, boissons à base de jus de fruits, concentrés et sirops, lait et produits laitiers, huiles et dérivés, produits lipidiques (sauce et mayonnaise). Il est également applicable aux produits pharmaceutiques et biologiques. Dans le cas notamment des bières, la séquence d'inertage comprend deux stades, selon lesquels on procède, à la protection des emballages contre toute entrée d'oxygène et à la création d'une atmosphère exempte d'oxygène dans la zone de conditionnement avant fermeture de ceux-ci par un gaz inerte, puis à une purge gazeuse du ciel gazeux des emballages après remplissage par un réseau de distribution gazeuse.The inerting process for leaktight packaging according to the invention can be applied to the conservation of any liquid or pasty food product: beers, wines, fruit juices, drinks based on fruit juices, concentrates and syrups, milk and dairy products, oils and derivatives, lipid products (sauce and mayonnaise). It is also applicable to pharmaceutical and biological products. Particularly in the case of beers, the inerting sequence includes two stages, according to which, the packaging is protected against any entry of oxygen and the creation of an oxygen-free atmosphere in the packaging area before closing of these with an inert gas, then with a gaseous purge of the gaseous sky of the packages after filling by a gas distribution network.

En outre, le procédé précédemment décrit est applicable à la conservation de tout produit solide ou pulvérulent.In addition, the method described above is applicable to the storage of any solid or powdery product.

Il est donné à titre non limitatif sur la figure 4 du dessin annexé, le schéma d'un exemple d'application, notamment dans l'inertage d'une chaîne de fabrication de vin.It is given without limitation in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawing, the diagram of an example of application, in particular in the inerting of a wine production line.

Le vin clarifié est véhiculé dans la canalisation (12) vers l'injecteur type dit « Sparger (11) et l'azote est introduit par la canalisation (13) dans ledit injecteur. Le vin désoxygéné est acheminé par la conduite (14) jusqu'à la partie basse du bac tampon (15) dans lequel décantent les bulles, le vin dégazé est soutiré par la conduite (16) à la base du bac (15) et entre dans la section remplissage (17) de la conditionneuse. La section fermeture (18) de la conditionneuse comporte le capot d'isolation (1) précédemment décrit, une arrivée d'azote (3) de purge et inertage de la chambre gazeuse, et une arrivée de mélange azote-anhydride carbonique (8) de purge du ciel gazeux des emballages.The clarified wine is conveyed through the line (12) to the so-called “Sparger” type injector and the nitrogen is introduced through the line (13) into said injector. The deoxygenated wine is conveyed through the line (14) to the lower part of the buffer tank (15) in which the bubbles settle, the degassed wine is withdrawn through the line (16) at the base of the tank (15) and between in the filling section (17) of the packaging machine. The closing section (18) of the packaging machine comprises the insulation cover (1) described above, a nitrogen inlet (3) for purging and inerting the gas chamber, and an inlet for a nitrogen-carbon dioxide mixture (8). purging gas from the packaging.

On conditionne du vin rouge à 11°, à une température de 22 °C, à un débit de 2 m3/heure. Le dispositif d'inertage est adapté à des emballages de caractéristiques suivantes : 7 x 7 x 25 cm volume de remplissage ve = 1 litre, volume de ciel gazeux à purger vh = 0,3 litre, immobilité de l'emballage t = 1,4 s.Red wine is conditioned at 11 °, at a temperature of 22 ° C, at a flow rate of 2 m 3 / hour. The inerting device is suitable for packaging with the following characteristics: 7 x 7 x 25 cm filling volume ve = 1 liter, volume of gas overhead to be purged vh = 0.3 liter, immobility of the packaging t = 1, 4 sec.

L'installation réalisée comprend notamment un capot d'isolation de longueur 630 mm, largeur 270 mm et hauteur environ 300 mm ; une rampe d'inertage de ce capot d'isolation du dispositif d'inertage, comportant cinq tubes d'injection du gaz inerte, réalisés en acier inoxydable 8-10, la distance entre deux tubes d'injection étant de 100 mm ; et une rampe de purge des emballages après remplissage, d'une longueur de 334 mm, comportant quatre injections doubles, constituées par des tubes en acier inoxydable 6-8, la distance entre 2 injections étant de 110 mm. Chaque injection est double, constituée par deux tubes en acier inoxydable, de diamètre 6 mm, aplatis à leur extrémité et espacés de 20 mm.The installation carried out includes in particular an insulation cover of length 630 mm, width 270 mm and height about 300 mm; an inertization ramp for this isolation cover of the inerting device, comprising five inert gas injection tubes, made of 8-10 stainless steel, the distance between two injection tubes being 100 mm; and a ramp for purging the packaging after filling, with a length of 334 mm, comprising four double injections, constituted by 6-8 stainless steel tubes, the distance between 2 injections being 110 mm. Each injection is double, consisting of two stainless steel tubes, 6 mm in diameter, flattened at their ends and spaced 20 mm apart.

Avant conditionnement le vin contient 1,2 ppm d'oxygène dissous, on injecte 1,8 m3/heure d'azote dans le vin clarifié. Après ce conditionnement la teneur du vin en oxygène dissous est de 0,6 à 0,7 ppm.Before packaging the wine contains 1.2 ppm of dissolved oxygen, 1.8 m 3 / hour of nitrogen is injected into the clarified wine. After this conditioning, the dissolved oxygen content of the wine is 0.6 to 0.7 ppm.

L'inertage du capot du dispositif d'inertage est réalisé par injection d'azote, et la purge gazeuse des emballages et de la fermeture à l'aide d'un gaz inerte constitué par 50 % d'azote, 50 % d'anhydride carbonique.The inerting of the cover of the inerting device is carried out by nitrogen injection, and the gas purging of the packages and of the closure using an inert gas consisting of 50% nitrogen, 50% anhydride carbonic.

On effectue des contrôles analytiques du ciel gazeux des emballages après conditionnement, sur 200 emballages. Les résultats obtenus sous forme de valeurs moyennes pour cette quantité d'emballages sont consignés dans le tableau ci-dessous, ainsi que les volumes d'azote en m3/h utilisés pour l'inertage du capot de la conditionneuse, et les volumes en m3/h du mélange inerte 50 % N2-50 % CO2.

Figure imgb0001
Analytical controls are carried out on the gaseous overhang of the packages after packaging, on 200 packages. The results obtained in the form of average values for this quantity of packaging are recorded in the table below, as well as the volumes of nitrogen in m 3 / h used for the inerting of the cover of the packaging machine, and the volumes in m 3 / h of the inert mixture 50% N 2 -50% CO 2 .
Figure imgb0001

Le quatrième essai est réalisé avec injection au-dessus des emballages et en début de fermeture et on a procédé au contrôle après 16 heures.The fourth test is carried out with injection above the packaging and at the start of closing and the control is carried out after 16 hours.

On a constaté que la technique mise en oeuvre permet d'abaisser les teneurs en oxygène dans le ciel gazeux de l'emballage à des valeurs très inférieures à 2 %. On a noté que l'injection d'un mélange gazeux Nz/COz provoque une légère rétraction de l'emballage.It has been found that the technique used makes it possible to lower the oxygen contents in the gaseous overhead of the packaging to values much less than 2%. It has been noted that the injection of an N z / CO z gas mixture causes the packaging to shrink slightly.

Claims (10)

1. Process for rendering inert sealed packagings for liquid, pasty and solid products, using together or separately a deoxygenation of the empty packagings in the packaging area, and a deoxygenation of the packagings after filling, the said deoxygenation operations being performed by means of injections of inert fluid into the upper part of the packaging, directed towards the bottom of the latter, characterised in that each of these deoxygenation operations is performed under inert atmosphere, by means of two simultaneous injections of inert fluid ; the deoxygenation or purging of the empty or filled packagings, constituting the first injection, is performed by means of a system for distributing the said fluid and the inert atmosphere is created by injection of inert fluid distributed above the packagings, constituting the second injection.
2. Process of rendering inert sealed packagings according to claim 1, characterised in that the product to be packaged is deoxygenated beforehand by an inert gas.
3. Process of rendering inert sealed packagings according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the inert fluid is chosen from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen-carbon dioxide mixtures.
4. Process of rendering inert sealed packagings according to claim 1, characterised in that the inert fluid is nitrogen in gaseous or liquid form.
5. Device for putting into operation the process of rendering inert packagings according to claims 1 to 4, comprising an isolating hood (1) fitted at the top with a gas distribution system (5) situated above the packagings (2), characterised in that the said gas distribution system placed laterally consists of a manifold (5a) fitted with aligned injection tubes (6) the outlet openings of which are directed towards the top of the protective hood (1), it further comprises a gas distribution system (7) intended for the gaseous purging of the upper parts of the packagings, located immediately above the centrelines of the packagings (2) with means of injection directed downwards.
6. Device for putting into operation the process of rendering inert packagings according to claim 5, characterised in that the gas distribution system for gaseous purging of the packagings after filling consists of a purging manifold (7) placed immediately above the centreline of the packagings (2) with means of injection situated in the top of the packaging, directed downwards (9a, 9b...) aligned and each formed by one or several cylindrical tubes (10a, 10b...).
7. Device for putting into operation the process of rendering inert packagings according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the device for rendering inert comprises a liquid nitrogen distribution system consisting of a liquid nitrogen supply duct (19) optionally divisible into several systems (19a... 19c...) on each of which is placed a blow-off valve (20a... 20c...), a liquid nitrogen injection manifold (21) fitted with means of injection (22a... 22g...) situated immediately above the centreline of the packagings.
8. Device for putting into operation the process of rendering inert according to claim 7, characterised in that the device for rendering inert comprises in addition to the liquid nitrogen distribution system a gas distribution system (5) placed laterally and situated above the packagings (2) consisting of a manifold (5a) fitted with aligned injection tubes (6) the outlet openings of which are directed towards the top of the protective hood (1).
9. Device for putting into operation the process of rendering inert according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that it comprises a means of injecting gas (11) into the circuit (14) supplying the product to be packaged and a tank for decanting gas bubbles (15).
10. Process for rendering inert sealed packagings according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it is applicable to the conservation of any liquid or pasty food product, such as beers, wines, fruit juices, concentrates and syrups, milk and milk products, oils and derivatives, lipidic products, sauce and mayonnaise, to the conservation of solid or powdered food products, and to the conservation of pharmaceutical and biological products.
EP86902433A 1985-04-29 1986-04-23 Method for inerting tight packages and plant for implementing such method Expired EP0220221B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT86902433T ATE41903T1 (en) 1985-04-29 1986-04-23 METHOD OF INERTIZING HERBAL PACKAGING AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT.

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FR8506479A FR2581027B1 (en) 1985-04-29 1985-04-29 METHOD OF INERTING SEALED PACKAGES AND INSTALLATION FOR IMPLEMENTING SAME
FR8506479 1985-04-29

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JP (2) JPS62502680A (en)
AU (1) AU589628B2 (en)
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WO1986006347A1 (en) 1986-11-06
AU589628B2 (en) 1989-10-19
DE3662671D1 (en) 1989-05-11
EP0220221A1 (en) 1987-05-06
JPS62502680A (en) 1987-10-15
JP2545629Y2 (en) 1997-08-25
AU5699586A (en) 1986-11-18
JPH08693U (en) 1996-04-23
FR2581027B1 (en) 1987-11-20
FR2581027A1 (en) 1986-10-31
US4870801A (en) 1989-10-03
CA1288999C (en) 1991-09-17

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