EP0303135B1 - Verfahren zum aseptischen bzw. sterilen Abfüllen von flüssigem Füllgut in Behälter sowie Vorrichtung zum Durchführen dieses Verfahrens - Google Patents

Verfahren zum aseptischen bzw. sterilen Abfüllen von flüssigem Füllgut in Behälter sowie Vorrichtung zum Durchführen dieses Verfahrens Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0303135B1
EP0303135B1 EP19880112441 EP88112441A EP0303135B1 EP 0303135 B1 EP0303135 B1 EP 0303135B1 EP 19880112441 EP19880112441 EP 19880112441 EP 88112441 A EP88112441 A EP 88112441A EP 0303135 B1 EP0303135 B1 EP 0303135B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling
container
sterilising
phase
rotor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19880112441
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0303135A1 (de
Inventor
Egon Ahlers
Reinhard Dr. Dechow
Rudolf Holzinger
Alfred Rentel
Helmut Geiss
Günter Dr. Fuchs
Hans-Peter Horn
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Seitz Enzinger Noll Maschinenbau AG
Deutsche Granini GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Seitz Enzinger Noll Maschinenbau AG
Deutsche Granini GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Seitz Enzinger Noll Maschinenbau AG, Deutsche Granini GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Seitz Enzinger Noll Maschinenbau AG
Priority to AT88112441T priority Critical patent/ATE71903T1/de
Publication of EP0303135A1 publication Critical patent/EP0303135A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0303135B1 publication Critical patent/EP0303135B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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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
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
    • B65B55/04—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging
    • B65B55/10—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging by liquids or gases
    • 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
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C7/00—Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottles; Processes or devices for at least two of these operations
    • B67C7/0073—Sterilising, aseptic filling and closing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for the aseptic or sterile filling of liquid contents into containers, in particular in bottles, according to the preamble of patent claim 1, and to a device for carrying out this method according to the preamble of patent claim 22.
  • Bottled non-carbonated drinking liquids such as fruit juices
  • chemical additives in containers or bottles so that the bottled and sealed product has a sufficient shelf life.
  • the containers have a high degree of sterility or sterility when the liquid filling material is introduced and that this level of sterility is maintained until the containers are sealed.
  • a method is known (DE-PS 16 42 102) in which, for the aseptic filling of liquid contents under ambient pressure, the cleaned, but still non-sterile, bottles first pass through a preheating station and are then successively transferred to a rotor forming the actual filler in the heated state. which has a plurality of filling elements on its circumference and on which the bottles are finally upright after the transfer under a filling element in a closed chamber which is formed in its partial area surrounding the respective bottle by a sleeve which is used to close and open the Chamber is slidable in the vertical direction. In each chamber, the cap that will later be used to close the bottle in question is already held on a special holding device.
  • a sterilization phase preceding the actual filling phase when the rotor rotates the closed chamber is first evacuated and then subjected to the hot sterilization medium in the form of water vapor, which is introduced into the chamber, which is also separated from the liquid outlet of the filling element by an additional slide.
  • this slide is opened and the respective bottle with its mouth is pressed against the liquid outlet of the filling element and the liquid valve of the filling element is opened to release the filling process.
  • the filled bottle is lowered from the liquid outlet and (after the slide is closed again) pressed against the closure then moved into the area above the mouth of the bottle and thereby closed.
  • the known method is relatively complex and requires a complex one in terms of process and mechanical engineering Construction.
  • the sleeves which close the individual chambers are particularly problematic and prone to failure, which not only represent additional, movable structural elements, but are also susceptible to failure in particular with regard to the tight closure of the chambers required for evacuation.
  • the elements used to hold the closure caps not only increase the design effort, but also represent additional sources of possible malfunctions.
  • the preheating of the bottles in the preheating station and the transfer of the preheated bottles to the rotor having the filling elements in principle already creates the possibility (without the risk of a bottle breaking due to an abrupt rise in temperature) before the filling process with a to apply sufficient amount of water vapor and thereby keep the sterilization time short, which among other things for Achieving the highest possible performance (number of filled bottles per unit of time) with a given machine size can make a decisive contribution.
  • the bottles are not heated before the sterilization phase in this known method.
  • a disadvantage of this known method is that the closed and also very small-volume chamber accommodates only the portion of the neck of the bottle that immediately adjoins the mouth of the bottle and, in particular, the filling tube during the sterilization phase only has a very small part length inside the bottle extends so that the lower, open end of the filling tube is at a distance from the bottom of the bottle which is many times greater than the distance between the open end of the filling tube and the bottle mouth.
  • this known method for its implementation also requires a complex construction, on the one hand due to the need for a large number of moving parts on the filling element and in that a special holding element for the bottle closure in the sterilization chamber is also required here.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a method of the type described above, with which an aseptic filling of liquid contents under ambient pressure in containers, in particular in bottles, without the use of chemical aids is particularly reliably possible.
  • the hot sterilizing agent which is preferably steam
  • the hot sterilizing agent is introduced into the interior of the bottle through the filling tube in such a way that it emerges from the filling tube directly at the bottom of the bottle, a more uniform and intensive result is obtained during the sterilization phase
  • the condensate water
  • the condensate water
  • the filling phase which can also serve to cool the container if this should be expedient for the subsequent filling .
  • An embodiment of the invention provides that the sterilizing agent escapes without pressure into the environment at least during part of the sterilization phase and preferably at the beginning of this phase from the chamber at an opening provided below the container mouth and enclosing the container. This results in a particularly intensive flow of the sterilizing agent (water vapor), in particular also from the interior of the container to the outside, so that any condensate formed at the beginning of the sterilization phase is discharged by the water vapor from the container and from the chamber.
  • the sterilizing agent water vapor
  • the supply of the hot sterilization medium to the chamber is also maintained during the filling phase, during which the sterilization medium is introduced into the chamber at an outlet channel opposite the mouth of the container.
  • the object of the invention is also to show a device which is particularly advantageously suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention.
  • a device is designed according to the characterizing part of claim 22.
  • the bottle filling mesh shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 has a rotor 1 rotating around a vertical axis of rotation V, which in the embodiment shown has two rotor elements 2 and 3 arranged one above the other in the vertical direction, which are connected to one another in a height-adjustable manner by a plurality of vertical support columns 4 and, for example, in the form of a circular disk , circular or also spoke wheel-like.
  • a rotor rotary connection 5 provided on the lower rotor element 3 ensures that the rotor 1 is fixed about the vertical axis of rotation V
  • Machine frame 6 rotatably mounted in the area of a foundation ring 7 of this machine frame concentrically surrounding the vertical axis of rotation V.
  • each filling element 8 On the outer circumference of the rotor 1 or of the upper rotor element 2, a plurality of filling elements 8, each of identical design, are provided at uniform angular intervals around the axis of rotation V.
  • Each filling element 8 has a valve housing 9, which is fastened to the outer circumference of the rotor element 2 in a suitable manner and in which a channel 10, which is open towards the top and the bottom of the valve housing 9, is formed, which essentially consists of the two sections 10 'and 10 ⁇ composed.
  • the channel 10 is closed by a housing element 11, through which (using a sealing or separating membrane 12) a valve tappet 13 is guided out of the interior of the valve housing 9, with its upper one , on the top of the housing element 11 projecting end cooperates with a lifting magnet 14 provided on the housing element 11 and has a valve body 15 at its lower end provided inside the valve housing or in the channel 10.
  • the valve body 15 lies with a closed filling element 8 with an approximately frustoconical circumferential surface against a valve seat 16, the latter being formed by a frustoconical surface of the channel 10 in the region of a constriction of this channel between the sections 10 'and 10'. 3 and 4, the valve body 15 is shown in its closed position.
  • valve body 15 can be moved in the vertical direction by a predetermined amount, so that the liquid valve formed by the valve body 15 and the valve seat 16 opens and creates a connection between the sections 10 'and 10', such as this is shown in FIG. 5.
  • the upper end of the channel 10 or the section 10 ' is connected via an opening 17 to a power 18, via which the respective filling element 8 is supplied with the liquid filling material to be filled into the bottles 19, which, for example, fruit juice, preferably with a pH Value is up to about 4.5.
  • the lines 18 of all the filling elements 8 are connected via a common collecting line 20 to a storage container 21, in which the liquid filling material to be filled into the bottles 19 is available under ambient or atmospheric pressure.
  • the channel 10 opens into the upper, open end of the channel 22 of a vertical filling tube 23 which is also open at its lower end and which is held in a suitable manner (possibly replaceable) on the valve housing 9 in the area of its upper end .
  • a bell 24 is provided on the valve housing 9, which is attached with its upper, closed end to the valve housing 9, which concentrically encloses the filling tube 23 and thus also the respective bottle 19 and their distance lower, open end 25 in the illustrated embodiment lies slightly above the lower end of the filling tube 23.
  • valve housing 9 On the underside of the valve housing 9 there is provided an annular channel 26 which concentrically surrounds the filling tube 23 and which is open to the underside of the valve housing 9, ie to the inside of the bell 24, and via a connecting channel 27 likewise provided in the valve housing 9 with an outlet of a three-way - or changeover valve 28 is connected. Another output of this changeover valve 28 is connected to the section 10 ⁇ of the channel 10 via a connecting channel 29 provided in the valve body 9.
  • connection channel 30 provided in the valve body 9 to one on the rotor element 2 formed and for all filling elements 8 common annular chamber 31 connected via a line 32 provided on the rotor 1 and via a line 33 provided on the machine frame 6 with a source of saturated water vapor (water vapor with a temperature of about 135 to 140 ° C.) in Connection is established.
  • the changeover valve 28 of each filler element 8 has a changeover valve body 34 which can be rotated or pivoted about an axis which runs horizontally and radially to the axis of rotation V and has at least two working positions, the connecting channel 30 with the connecting channel 29 in one working position and in the other working position the connection channel 30 is connected to the connection channel 27.
  • a control or actuation lever 35 is provided on the changeover valve body 34 in the illustrated embodiment, which lever cooperates with at least one fixed control cam 36.
  • the control of each switching valve 28 can also be done in other ways, e.g. electrically etc., or instead of a switch valve designed as a multi-way valve, a valve arrangement consisting of several individual valves can also be used.
  • a lifting and holding device for the bottles 19 is also formed, this lifting and holding device essentially consisting of two extending in the vertical direction, parallel and at a distance from one another and in the vertical direction (double arrow D) Valve housing 9 guided rods 37, which are connected to each other at their upper end by a crosspiece 38 or by a corresponding plate.
  • the two rods 37 lie one behind the other perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, so that only one of the two rods 37 is visible in each of these figures.
  • a roll 39 On the crosspiece 38 of each lifting and holding device, a roll 39 is provided which can be freely rotated about a horizontal axis extending radially to the axis of rotation V and which bears against the top of a stationary, the Control 1 enclosing rotor 1 at least in a partial area. Stroke curve 40 is present.
  • the rods 37 At their lower end, the rods 37, which extend through corresponding openings in the top of the bell 24 also partially inside this bell, carry a fork-like bottle holder or bottle suspension 41, which with the lifting and holding device or with the rods 37 lowered Distance lies below the lower opening 25 of the bell 24 (FIG.
  • each filling tube 23 and the vertical stroke for the bottle hangers 41 is adapted to the height of the bottles 19 so that in the raised position of the bottles 19, the lower end of each filling tube 23 of the inner surface of the bottle bottom 19 ⁇ is adjacent, ie has a distance from this inner surface that is many times smaller than the distance between the lower end of the filling tube 23 and the mouth of the bottle 19.
  • each filler element 8 there is also preferably a lock for the lifting and holding device or its rods 37, with which (locking) the rods 37 and thus also the bottle suspensions 41 can be locked in their respective raised positions, so that the lifting curve 40 only has to extend around the rotor 1 where there is a lifting or lowering of the bottle suspensions 41 when the rotor 1 rotates.
  • this lock is from a slide 42 formed, which is slidably provided on each filling element 8 in a horizontal and radial axis to the axis of rotation V and engages in a locking position with a portion in a recess of at least one rod 37 and in a non-locking position this releases at least one rod 37.
  • the slide 42 is actuated by stationary control cams 43 and 44, which are only provided where the rotor 1 is locked or released when the rotor 1 rotates.
  • the bottles 19 of the bottle filling machine in the illustration selected for FIG. 1 are fed from the right, ie in the direction of arrow B, via a feed conveyor, not shown, and then first pass through a preheating device 45.
  • the bottles 19 are brought to a predetermined temperature, in order, above all, to overheatly heat the bottles 19 and thus possibly break the bottle during the sterilization of the bottles 19 with the saturated water vapor (sterilization phase) preceding the filling process (filling phase). to avoid.
  • a sterilization apparatus can, for example, be used as the preheating device 45, which in turn already provides for the pre-sterilization or disinfection of the bottles 19.
  • the bottles leaving the preheating device 45 are then fed to the insertion star 48 via a transport path 46 with a dividing screw 47 provided at the end of this transport path, which is driven in synchronism with the rotor 1, and the bottles 19 successively to the lowered bottle suspensions 41 between the transfer area I. passes the filling elements 8 passing the insertion star 48 and the rotor 1, so that after each insertion of a bottle 19, the bottle is initially held in the manner shown in FIG. 3 under the associated filling element 8.
  • the relevant bottle 19 held on the bottle suspension 41 is replaced by the roller 39 running onto a lifting curve or a rising section of the lifting curve 40 lower open end 25 raised into the bell 24 so that the bottle 19 in question is then arranged with its mouth at a certain distance below the underside of the valve housing 9 and is enclosed by the bell 24 over most of its height (FIG. 4) .
  • the filling tube 23 and a probe 49 provided on the underside of the respective valve housing 9 also extend through the mouth into the interior of the bottle 19, the lower, open end of the filling tube 23 also being included in the manner already mentioned short distance from the bottom 19 ⁇ of the bottle 19 is arranged.
  • the changeover valve 28 is actuated such that when the valve body 15 is closed, saturated water vapor is supplied to the section 10ampf via the connection channel 29, the changeover valve 28 and the connection channel 30 from the ring channel 31, which is then fed through the filling pipe 23 into the interior of the bottle 19 in question up to the bottom 19 ⁇ and from there along the inside surface of the bottle 19 upwards and then flows down around the bottle mouth on the outside of the bottle and the bell 24 at the lower open end 25 to the atmosphere leaves, so that a very intensive flow around the bottle 19 at all its critical surfaces with the water vapor and thus an intensive and effective sterilization of the bottle 19 is achieved immediately before the filling process.
  • valve formed by the valve body 15 and the valve seat 16 is opened by corresponding actuation of the solenoid 14 by an electrical or electronic control device, so that the liquid filling material is heated and sterilized via the line 18, the channel 10 and the filling tube 23 Bottle 19 can flow in, with the water vapor still flowing out of the annular channel 26 during this filling phase, which then flows around the bottle in question, particularly in the region of its mouth and outer surface and exits through the lower end 25 into the environment, the bottle 19 in the heated and to keep it aseptic.
  • the filling process is completed by appropriate actuation of the solenoid 14 or by closing the valve formed by the valve body 15 and the valve seat 16 as soon as the level of the filling material rising in the bottle 19 during filling has reached the active area of the probe 49.
  • the filling process is interrupted in any case by a forced control before the filling element 8 in question has reached position III when the rotor 1 rotates, which corresponds to the bottle or vessel ejection.
  • position III is reached, the bottle suspension 41 and thus also the bottle 19 are again lowered into the position shown in FIG. 3 below the open end 25 of the bell 45, so that the bottle 19 in question is pushed out at position III or from the Bottle suspension 41 can be removed.
  • a tangential bottle extension provided, ie the filled bottles 19 are removed from the rotor 1 or from the bottle suspensions 41 with the aid of a transport path 50 running tangentially to the circumference of the rotor 1.
  • the filled bottles 19 are subjected to a heat treatment device 51, preferably subjected to gas flames, specifically to prevent the entry of germs into the filled bottles 19.
  • the bottles thus heated germ-free by the device 51 are then fed via the transport route 50, specifically through a tunnel 52 that reduces heat losses, to a capper 53, at the capper Output the filled and closed bottles 19 can be removed according to arrow C by means of a conveyor, not shown.
  • the probe 49 and the filler tube 23 of the respective filler element 8 are cleaned with warm water, in particular also the outer surface of the filler tube 23 by spraying or sprinkling with the warm water, where possible is that the changeover valve 28 already has that switching position during this cleaning process, which causes the water vapor to escape from the lower end of the filling tube 23 and is required for the sterilization phase between positions I and II. If necessary, after the end of the sterilization phase and before the start of the filling phase, the condensate (water) is blown out of the bottles 19 with sterile air. which also emerges from the respective filling tube 23.
  • the switching valve 28 has at least three working positions, for example, in one of these working positions for blowing out the condensate, the connecting channel 29 is connected via the switching valve 28 to a channel provided on the rotor 1 but not shown for supplying the air.
  • FIGS. 6-10 A further embodiment of the bottle filling machine according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 6-10, the same reference numerals as in the figures for those elements which correspond to the elements of the bottle filling machine according to FIGS. 1-5 in terms of their function and constructive design 1 - 5 are selected.
  • the bottle filling machine according to FIGS. 6-10 again consists essentially of the rotor 1 rotating around a vertical axis in the direction of arrow A and formed by the two rotor elements 2 and 3, the upper rotor element 2 being at uniform angular intervals around the vertical axis of rotation of the rotor 1 offset from each other several, each of the same design filling elements 8 'are provided.
  • Each filling element 8 ' corresponds in terms of its structural design to the filling elements 8 of the bottle filling machine according to FIGS. 1-5, but with the difference that the filling elements 8' do not have the changeover valve 28 and the associated connecting channels 27, 29 and 30 and accordingly in the bottle filling machine 6-10, the control cams 36 cooperating with the changeover valves 28 are also not provided.
  • the valve body of all filling elements 8 ' are formed by a common ring 9' of the upper rotor element 2. In this ring 9 ', the channels 10 are introduced.
  • Each filling element 8 'on the ring 9' is assigned a connecting channel 55, which has one end in the section 10 ⁇ of Channel 10 of the associated filling element 8 'opens and is connected at its other end to a connecting line 56 which, based on the vertical axis of rotation of the rotor 1, leads radially inwards to a distributor device 57 which is arranged centrally in the region of the vertical axis of rotation of the rotor 1 and is enclosed concentrically by the filling elements 8 '.
  • an annular distributor channel 58 is provided in the ring 9', which connects the sections 10 'of the filling elements 8' and insofar replaces the lines 18 of the full elements 8.
  • the distribution channel 58 is connected to the distribution device 57 via three product lines 59.
  • each filling element 8' in turn a bell 24 'is provided, which is attached with its upper, closed end to the ring 9', which concentrically surrounds the filling tube 23 in question and thus also the respective bottle 19 by a distance .
  • Each bell 24 ' has such a height in the vertical direction that the lower, open end 25' of this bell 24 'is not only below the lower end of the filling tube 23, but each bell 24' can also accommodate a bottle 19 with its entire height .
  • a bottle plate 60 is provided on the rotor 1 and on the lower rotor element 3, respectively, which forms the base for the respective bottle and replaces the respective bottle suspension 41 in this embodiment.
  • Each bottle plate 60 can be moved up and down in a controlled manner in the vertical direction with the aid of a conventional lifting device and associated control cam (double arrow E).
  • Each bottle plate 60 has a diameter which is larger than the outer diameter which the associated bell 24 'has at its lower end 25', so that when the bottle plate 60 is raised in the sterilization phase, the top of this bottle plate 60 against the lower end 25 'of the bell 24 abuts and thereby the interior of this bell 24 'is closed by the raised bottle plate 60 (Fig. 7b).
  • FIG. 7 The operation of the bottle filling machine according to the figures 6-10 is shown in FIG. 7.
  • the bottles 19 of the filling machine in the illustration chosen for FIG. 6 are again fed from the right, ie in the direction of arrow B, and pass through the transport path 46 and a one-piece screw, not shown at the synchronously driven with the rotor 1 insertion star 48, which passes the bottles 19 one after the other to the lowered bottle plate 60 of the transfer area I between the insertion star 48 and the rotor 1 filling elements 8 ', so that after each transfer of a bottle 19 this under the associated filling element 8 'is arranged upright, with its mouth below the lower end 25' of the corresponding bell 24 '(Fig.
  • the section 10 ⁇ saturated water vapor is supplied, which for example has a temperature between 135 and 140 ° C and a pressure of has about 2 bar and through the filling tube 23 into the interior of the bottle 19 in question to the bottom 19 ⁇ and from there along the inner surface of the bottle 19 upwards and then through the bottle mouth into the interior of the closed bell surrounding the bottle 19 24 'flows, so that the bottle 19 through this saturated water vapor at a relatively high pressure and therefore also at a relatively high temperature, in particular at all critical Places (inner surface, mouth area and on the outer surface adjoining the mouth) is sterilized.
  • the introduction of the saturated water vapor via the filling tube 23 is preferably carried out before the final closure of the lower end 25 'of the corresponding bell 24' by the associated bottle plate 60, that is to say if between this lower end 25 'and the bottle plate 60 there is still an annular opening gap to the atmosphere, as shown in FIG. 7 at position f.
  • the saturated water vapor flowing into the interior of the bottle 19 from the bottle 19 and from the interior of the bell 24 'surrounding this bottle can displace the air there and any condensate that occurs when the water vapor is first supplied can also be released together with the outflowing Air or with the escaping water vapor are discharged through this annular opening.
  • the control of the bottle plate 60 can preferably take place in such a way that the state indicated in FIG. 7 at position f is maintained at the beginning of the sterilization phase in a positively controlled manner over a predetermined angle of rotation range of the rotor 1, for example up to position I ', and that only then (after passing the position I ') the final lifting of the respective bottle plate 60 for closing the bell 24' takes place.
  • the sterilization phase is complete when the respective filling element 8 'has reached position II. After passing position II, the further supply of water vapor via the use line 56 to the connecting channel 55 is interrupted, the associated bottle plate 60 is lowered slightly, so that there is between the lower End 25 'of the respective bell 24' and the bottle plate 60 again forms an annular opening (Fig. 7, position c).
  • the actual filling of the respective bottle 19 with the liquid filling material takes place, in the manner already described above, in that the corresponding solenoid 14 is actuated and the valve formed by the valve body 15 and the valve seat 16 is opened.
  • the filling process is interrupted by closing this valve.
  • the corresponding filler tube 23 is emptied, specifically in that the connecting channel 55 of the filler element 8' is supplied via the connecting line 56 with water vapor which carries the contents in the filler tube 23 into the bottle 19 presses, bottle 19 being lowered with the bottle plate 60 at the same time.
  • the water vapor used for this emptying of the filling tube 23 preferably has a lower vapor pressure than the saturated water vapor used during the sterilization phase.
  • a cleaning medium eg sterile water
  • a cleaning medium eg sterile water
  • an outlet channel 65 is then provided at the upper region of each bell 24 ', which during the filling phase (between positions II and II') to the environment is open, at least during the sterilization phase, ie has no connection to the environment until position II is reached. This can either be done using appropriate control valves or can be achieved by appropriate design of the distribution device 57, as will be explained in more detail below.
  • the filling material is fed to the filling elements 8 'from the line 20 via the distributor device 57, the product lines 59 and the distributor channel 58. Also the supply of water vapor during the sterilization phase (between positions I and II), during the emptying of the filling tube 23 and the initial removal of the bottles 19 (between positions II 'and II ⁇ ) and during cleaning (between positions III and I) takes place on the connecting lines 56 and thus on the individual filling elements 8 'via the distributor device 57, the latter simultaneously controlling the start and the end of the water vapor supply in the aforementioned phases.
  • the distributor device 57 has an essentially circular disk-shaped distributor element 66 which is fastened to the rotor 1 or to the upper rotor element 2 in the region of the vertical axis of rotation V and rotates with this rotor about the axis of rotation V.
  • a first channel 67 is provided in the distributor element 66, which is designed in the manner of a blind bore and the axis of which lies coaxially with the axis of rotation V.
  • the channel 67 is open on the horizontal underside 66 'of the distributor element 66 and closed on the likewise horizontal top 66 ⁇ of the distributor element 66.
  • three second channels 68 are provided in the distributor element 66, each of which opens into the channel 67 at one end and is connected to one of the three product lines 59 at the other end.
  • third channels 69 are provided, each with one end to the bottom 66 'and there form an opening 69' and connected at its other end to a connecting line 55 are.
  • the number of channels 69 and the openings 69 ' is thus equal to the number of filling elements 8', ie each filling element is a channel 69 and thus one Opening 69 'on the bottom 66' assigned.
  • the openings 69 ' have the same radial distance from the axis of rotation V and are provided distributed around this axis of rotation at equal angular intervals.
  • the distributor device 57 furthermore has a control disk 70 provided below the distributor element 66, which is held on a fixed circuit board 71 of the machine frame of the filling machine by means not shown in such a way that the control disk 70 with the rotor 1 or with the distributor element 66 is not rotates, but can be moved up and down in the direction of the axis of rotation V by a certain amount.
  • the control disk 70 with its horizontal top 70 ' is pressed tightly against the underside 66' of the distributor element 66 by a compression spring 72 which is supported on the top of the circuit board 71 and on the underside 70 ⁇ of the control disk 70 ( Fig. 8).
  • control disk 70 can be lowered in the vertical direction against the compression spring 72 by a certain amount, so that there is a gap between the bottom 66 'of the distributor element 66 and the top 70' of the control disk 70, the radial is open to the outside (Fig. 9).
  • control disk 70 has a channel 74 which is open at the top 70 ', is coaxial with the axis of rotation V and has the same diameter as the channel 67.
  • the channel 74 is connected to the line 20 for the filling material via an intermediate line 75, the line 75 being designed to be movable or flexible at least in a partial area for lowering and raising the control disk 70.
  • control disk 70 three partially circular grooves 76, 77 and 78 are provided around the channel 74, which are each open at the top 70 'and have the same radial distance from the axis of rotation V as the openings 69 over their entire length
  • the embodiment shown is the grooves 76 and 78 with a common line 79 for Feeding the saturated water vapor (with the temperature of about 135 to 140 ° C and the pressure of about 2 bar) connected to the (water vapor) during the sterilization phase (between positions I and II) and during cleaning of the filling pipes 23 Bells 24 '(between positions III and I) is used.
  • the groove 77 which follows the groove 76 in the direction of rotation A of the rotor 1, is connected to a line 80 which serves for supplying the water vapor at a lower pressure which (water bowl) during the emptying of the filling pipes 23 (between the positions II ' and II ⁇ ) is used.
  • the grooves 76-78 are arranged such that the groove 76 extends over the angular range of the rotary movement of the rotor 1 corresponding to the sterilization phase, the groove 77 over the angular range of the rotary movement of the rotor 1 corresponding to the emptying of the filling tubes 23, and the groove 78 over that of the Cleaning the filling tubes 23 extend corresponding angular range of the rotary movement of the rotor 1. All filling elements 8 ', the openings 69' of which are located in the region of the groove 56 when the rotor 1 rotates, saturated water vapor is thus supplied via the groove 76 for the sterilization of the respective bottle 19.
  • the control disk 70 with the aid of pneumatics when the filling lines and channels are empty Cylinder 73 lowered against the action of compression spring 72, so that, according to FIG. 9, the gap already mentioned results between the distributor element 66 and the control disk 70.
  • Saturated water vapor or another cleaning medium which also serves to clean the product lines and channels within the machine, is then supplied via the line 75 and flows from the channel 74 radially outwards in the gap mentioned, as indicated by the arrow F 9, and the distributor device 57 in particular.
  • the bells 24 ' have the outlet channel 65, via which there is a connection between the interior of the respective bell 24' and the environment during the filling phase, while in particular in the sterilization phase this connection is interrupted, this control can also be carried out in a similar manner to the control of the water vapor supply to the individual filling elements 8 'by the distributor device 57.
  • each filling element 8 'or each bell 24' is connected via a further, separate line to the distributor element 66 or to another channel there, which is similar to the channels 69 on the underside 66 'of the distributor element 66 has an opening, wherein these openings from the axis of rotation V have a radial distance which is different from the corresponding distance of the openings 69 ', for example, is greater than the radial distance of the openings 69'.
  • the bells 24 ' are designed such that they can each accommodate one bottle 19 completely, the bells 24' or chambers which can be closed by the respective bottle plates 60 inevitably have a large volume, so that even when the bells 24 are closed, not only can a sufficient amount of water vapor be absorbed by them, but at least after the respective bells 24 have been closed, a water vapor flow from the bottle 19 to the outside into the area of the bell interior surrounding this bottle 19 and thus also down along the outer surface of the bottle 19.
  • the filler elements 8 's are each have a separate valve body with the channel 10, wherein the sections 10' of these channels either via a common, the distribution channel 58 corresponding distribution channel or via separate product lines are connected to the distribution device 57.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Food Preservation Except Freezing, Refrigeration, And Drying (AREA)
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages (AREA)
EP19880112441 1987-08-01 1988-08-01 Verfahren zum aseptischen bzw. sterilen Abfüllen von flüssigem Füllgut in Behälter sowie Vorrichtung zum Durchführen dieses Verfahrens Expired - Lifetime EP0303135B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT88112441T ATE71903T1 (de) 1987-08-01 1988-08-01 Verfahren zum aseptischen bzw. sterilen abfuellen von fluessigem fuellgut in behaelter sowie vorrichtung zum durchfuehren dieses verfahrens.

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3725582 1987-08-01
DE3725582 1987-08-01
DE3809855 1988-03-24
DE19883809855 DE3809855A1 (de) 1987-08-01 1988-03-24 Verfahren zum aseptischen bzw. sterilen abfuellen von fluessigem fuellgut in behaelter sowie vorrichtung zum durchfuehren dieses verfahrens

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0303135A1 EP0303135A1 (de) 1989-02-15
EP0303135B1 true EP0303135B1 (de) 1992-01-22

Family

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EP19880112441 Expired - Lifetime EP0303135B1 (de) 1987-08-01 1988-08-01 Verfahren zum aseptischen bzw. sterilen Abfüllen von flüssigem Füllgut in Behälter sowie Vorrichtung zum Durchführen dieses Verfahrens

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EP (1) EP0303135B1 (es)
DE (2) DE3809855A1 (es)
ES (1) ES2030123T3 (es)
GR (1) GR3004413T3 (es)

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DE3809852A1 (de) * 1988-03-24 1989-10-05 Seitz Enzinger Noll Masch Verfahren zum aseptischen bzw. sterilen abfuellen von fluessigem fuellgut in behaelter sowie vorrichtung zum durchfuehren dieses verfahrens
EP0441340B1 (en) * 1990-02-07 1996-08-28 House Food Industrial Co., Ltd. Method for preparing packaged sterilized mineral water and packaged sterilized mineral water
DE4008846A1 (de) * 1990-03-20 1991-09-26 Granini Gmbh Verfahren zum sterilen abfuellen von aus fruchtsaft, fruchtsaftkonzentrat, fruchtsaftpueree o. dgl. hergestellten getraenken in behaeltnisse und zur entnahme aus diesen behaeltnissen
DE4109731A1 (de) * 1990-04-28 1991-10-31 Seitz Enzinger Noll Masch Vorrichtung zum fuellen von behaeltern, insbesondere flaschen mit einem fluessigen fuellgut
DE4036290A1 (de) * 1990-06-06 1991-12-12 Kronseder Maschf Krones Verfahren und vorrichtung zum sterilen abfuellen von getraenkefluessigkeiten
DE4031472C2 (de) * 1990-10-05 2001-06-28 Hoerauf Michael Maschf Vorrichtung zum Sterilisieren, Füllen und Verschließen von eine Füllöffnung aufweisenden Behältern
DE4039040C2 (de) * 1990-12-07 2000-03-23 Merz Verpackungsmaschinen Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Entkeimen der Innenseiten von Folienschläuchen
DE4207829A1 (de) * 1992-03-12 1993-09-16 Magdeburg Getraenkemasch Verfahren und vorrichtung zum sterilen abfuellen von getraenken
DE4219082A1 (de) * 1992-06-11 1993-12-16 Kronseder Maschf Krones Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum aufeinanderfolgenden Füllen mehrerer Gefäße unter Atmosphärendruck
DE4232323A1 (de) * 1992-09-26 1994-03-31 Seitz Enzinger Noll Masch Vorrichtung zur Überwachung der Wärmebehandlung bzw. Sterilisation von Flaschen o. dgl. Behälter bei einer Behälter-Behandlungsmaschine
DE4308833B4 (de) * 1993-03-19 2004-06-03 Khs Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau Ag Füllelement für Füllmaschinen zum Abfüllen eines flüssigen Füllgutes in Flaschen oder dergl. Behälter
SE515221C2 (sv) * 1996-03-20 2001-07-02 Scandimed Internat Ab Förfarande för framställning av och anordning vid en förpackning med en sterilt förpackad behållare med sterilt innehåll
TW499696B (en) 1999-04-27 2002-08-21 Tokyo Electron Ltd Processing apparatus and processing method
DE10114660C2 (de) * 2001-03-24 2003-10-16 Alfill Engineering Gmbh & Co K Füllorgan für stille Getränke
DE20300522U1 (de) * 2003-01-14 2004-05-27 Salda, Luciano, Vignola Sterilisiervorrichtung
EP2281751B1 (en) 2004-11-16 2013-05-15 Elopak Systems AG Apparatus and methof for aseptically filling containers
DE102004055780A1 (de) * 2004-11-18 2006-05-24 Sig Technology Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Sterilisieren kontinuierlich bewegter Kunststoffflaschen
DE102004055783A1 (de) * 2004-11-18 2006-05-24 Sig Technology Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Sterilisieren kontinuierlich transportierter Behälter
DE102005047427B3 (de) 2005-09-30 2006-12-28 Sig Technology Ag Vorrichtung zum Sterilisieren kontinuierlich hintereinander transportierter Behälter
DE102006036763A1 (de) * 2006-08-05 2008-02-07 Khs Ag Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Sterilisation von Behältern
DE102007028471A1 (de) * 2007-06-18 2008-12-24 Krones Ag Vorrichtung zum Behandeln von Gefäßen in einem Gefäßdesinfektionssystem
DE102008039674A1 (de) 2008-08-26 2010-03-04 Khs Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Sterilisierung von Behältern
DE102011103767A1 (de) * 2011-03-01 2012-09-06 Hipp & Co Abfülllinie mit einem Füller für ein Gefäß und ein Verfahren für das Befüllen von Gefäßen
DE102011056440A1 (de) * 2011-12-14 2013-06-20 Krones Ag Vorrichtung zum Sterilisieren von Behältnissen mit Ableitungselement für Sterilisationsmittel
DE102012107768B4 (de) * 2012-08-23 2023-04-27 Krones Ag Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Sterilisieren von Behältern
JP6397173B2 (ja) * 2013-10-07 2018-09-26 三菱重工機械システム株式会社 殺菌装置

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DE2747501C3 (de) * 1977-10-22 1980-08-14 Seitz-Werke Gmbh, 6550 Bad Kreuznach Spülvorrichtung zur mikrobiologischen Reinigung der flüssigkeitsführenden Teile von Abfüllmaschinen mittels Spülbehältern
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DE3325786A1 (de) * 1983-03-15 1984-09-20 Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart Verfahren zum entkeimen von verpackungsmaterial

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GR3004413T3 (es) 1993-03-31
EP0303135A1 (de) 1989-02-15
DE3809855A1 (de) 1989-02-09
ES2030123T3 (es) 1992-10-16
DE3867962D1 (de) 1992-03-05

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