EP0673837A1 - Apparatus for aseptically filling containers - Google Patents

Apparatus for aseptically filling containers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0673837A1
EP0673837A1 EP95103037A EP95103037A EP0673837A1 EP 0673837 A1 EP0673837 A1 EP 0673837A1 EP 95103037 A EP95103037 A EP 95103037A EP 95103037 A EP95103037 A EP 95103037A EP 0673837 A1 EP0673837 A1 EP 0673837A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling
housing
holding block
sterile
mandrel
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP95103037A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0673837B1 (en
Inventor
Bernd Dipl.-Ing. Hansen
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Individual
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Individual
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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
    • B65B55/027—Packaging in aseptic chambers
    • 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
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/001—Cleaning of filling devices
    • B67C3/002—Cleaning of filling devices using cups or dummies to be placed under the filling heads
    • B67C3/004—Cleaning of filling devices using cups or dummies to be placed under the filling heads permanently attached to the filling machine and movable between a rest and a working position
    • 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
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C3/2642—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for sterilising prior to filling
    • 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 device for the sterile filling of containers, in particular before removing the containers from the form of a blow molding machine used for their manufacture, which has the features of the preamble of claim 1.
  • the inner surface of the ASR housing and the outer surface of the holding block can only be disinfected with the aid of a disinfectant, because the steam to be used for sterilization cannot be introduced into the ASR housing.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a device for sterile filling of containers, which enables fully automatic cleaning and sterilization not only of the mandrels, but also of all those surfaces that are in contact with the space surrounding the mandrel or mandrels. This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1.
  • the ASR housing its connections for the supply and discharge of cleaning fluid, steam and sterile air as well as the closure for the opening or openings in the bottom of the ASR housing, its inner walls and the outer walls of the holding block as well as the mandrel or the mandrels are flushed with cleaning fluid, steam and sterile air, in particular also simultaneously with the sterilization of the mandrel or the mandrels.
  • the previously required mandrel hood can be dispensed with and therefore the bottom of the ASR housing no longer has to be removed before the ASR housing is sterilized and then reinstalled. A fully automatic cleaning and sterilization of all surfaces in question is therefore possible without a person having to touch these surfaces.
  • the opening or openings in the bottom of the ASR housing When the opening or openings in the bottom of the ASR housing are closed, it is preferably an inflatable one There is a seal between the outside of the bottom of the ASR housing and the side of the movable closure facing it.
  • the movable closure is advantageously actuated by means of a working cylinder, so that the closure can also be included in the automation.
  • the metering device is arranged inside the ASR housing between the holding block or blocks on the one hand and the mandrel or mandrels on the other.
  • the arrangement of the dosing device inside the ASR housing has the advantage that it is also automatically cleaned and sterilized. Since a detachable connection can be provided, preferably by means of quick-release fasteners, for the bottom of the ASR housing, if access to the metering device is required, for example a metering membrane has to be replaced, the metering device can be moved downwards out of the ASR housing, after its bottom has been removed.
  • the holding block can be guided on the inner wall of the upper cylindrical part, for precise guidance of the thorn is important.
  • the holding block advantageously has, for its guidance at the transition from an upper section to a lower section, an annular material portion projecting radially outward beyond the outer lateral surface of both the upper and the lower section, which guides the block in the manner of a piston.
  • the area of the upper part of the holding block that receives the upper section of the holding block in its highest position ASR housing with at least one inlet and at least one outlet for cleaning liquid Provide steam and sterile air.
  • the ring-shaped material section is located at the lower end of the upper part of the ASR housing when the holding block is completely lowered.
  • a column rigidly connected to the upper end of the upper part of the ASR housing protrudes from above into a central longitudinal channel of the holding block, which is closed at its lower end and on which the upper section of the holding block is guided so as to be longitudinally displaceable via a recirculating ball bushing.
  • the holding block drive device preferably has a hydraulic cylinder as the drive element, so that the holding block cannot be inadvertently lowered when the pressure drops.
  • this hydraulic cylinder is assigned a proportional control which enables precise control of the movement of the holding block.
  • the device according to the invention is not only suitable for equipping new machines, but also for retrofitting, especially since it is highly suitable for clean rooms.
  • the latter is also due to the fact that there are only two movable bushings to the interior of the ASR housing and the seals of the bushings slide on walls, which limit the evacuable interior of the ASR housing and can be cleaned and sterilized.
  • a device for the sterile filling of containers, in particular a row of ampoules or bottles, before removal from the mold of a blow molding machine used for their manufacture has a cuboid lower part 1 of a filling sterile space housing, hereinafter referred to as ASR housing, on which its underside is tightly closed by means of a base 2.
  • This base 2 is detachably connected to the ASR housing by means of quick-release fasteners 3, which are designed as tension locks.
  • the inner surface of the bottom 2, as shown in FIG. 1, has a slope from the two long sides 1 'of the lower part 1 to the center, where a passage opening 5 is provided for each filling mandrel 4 present. These passage openings 5 serve not only for the passage of the mandrels 4, but also for the discharge of cleaning fluid and steam.
  • the passage openings 5 can be closed tightly by means of a closure slide 6 provided on the underside of the base 2, which can be closed by means of at least one working cylinder 7 between the closed position shown in FIG. 1 and one Release position is displaceable, in which the closure slide 6 is located near a holder 8 provided on the lateral longitudinal edge of the base 2.
  • the slide valve 6 On the top facing the bottom 2, the slide valve 6 is provided with a circumferential, self-contained groove 9 in which there is an inflatable seal, not shown, which is inflated when the slide valve 6 is in the closed position.
  • two identical upper parts 10 are placed near the two narrow sides 1 ′′, which have the shape of a cylindrical pot which is open at the bottom and whose longitudinal axis runs perpendicular to the upper side of the lower part 1.
  • the two upper parts 10 are each aligned with an opening 11 in the upper side and tightly connected to the latter.
  • a holding block 12 is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner.
  • These two identically designed holding blocks 12 can each be moved in their longitudinal direction by means of a hydraulic cylinder 13 arranged on the outside next to the upper part 10, which corresponds to an up and down movement in the installed state of the device.
  • the holding block 12 has a radially outwardly projecting, ring-shaped material section 14, which is guided in the manner of a cylinder from the inner wall of the upper part 10.
  • An annular seal located in a radially outwardly open annular groove 15 of the material section 14 seals the space above the material section 14 from the space below the material section 14, which is in communication with the interior of the lower part 1.
  • its material section 14 is located at the level of the end of the upper part 10 adjoining the lower part 1.
  • the holding blocks 12 are provided with a central blind hole 16 which is closed at the lower end and into which a column 17 rigidly connected to the upper part 10 engages.
  • the upper section 12 ′ of the holding block 12 is guided on this column 17 without play by means of a stainless steel ball bushing 18. This guidance also contributes to achieving high accuracy.
  • the lower end of the column 17 carries a guide piston 19 which carries a sealing ring which bears against the inner wall of the lower section 12 ′′.
  • the two holding blocks 12 carry a block-shaped metering device 20 fixed on their underside, which has connections for the mandrels 4 on their underside facing the bottom 2 of the ASR housing, of which only one in FIG. 2 and not all in FIG. 3 are shown.
  • the metering device 20 contains for each mandrel connection the valves required for time-pressure metering, which in the exemplary embodiment are diaphragm valves.
  • two connecting pieces 21 and 22 are provided, via which cleaning liquid, steam and sterilized air can be introduced into the interior of the ASR housing and can be removed therefrom.
  • the two upper parts 10 of the ASR housing in the area which receives the upper section 12 'of the holding block 12 in its highest position, have an upper connecting piece 23 and a lower connecting piece 24, via which cleaning liquid, steam and sterile air are also supplied and can be derived.
  • tubes 25 running parallel to the columns 17 penetrate the cover 10 ′ which delimits the upper parts 10 upwards and are firm and tight with the associated holding block 12 connected.
  • the tubes 25 therefore move together with the holding blocks 12 relative to the upper part of the ASR housing, which is why a seal is provided in the area where the tubes 25 pass through the cover 10 '.
  • cleaning liquid is now first introduced, which includes all channels of the mandrels 4 and their feed lines as well as all wall surfaces of the ASR housing, the holding blocks 12 and the Dosing device 20 cleans which are in contact with the space surrounding the mandrels 4 and can come into contact.
  • the cleaning liquid is drained off via the connecting piece 22 and the lower connecting piece 24. If, as in the exemplary embodiment, the closure slide 6 is provided with a discharge channel 6 ', part of the cleaning liquid can also be discharged via this. After this cleaning, all parts are sterilized with steam, which can have an overpressure of up to 3 bar.
  • the steam can not only be supplied and discharged through the pipes 25, but can also be introduced into the ASR housing through the connecting piece 21 and the upper connecting piece 23. All interior walls of the The ASR housing and all the outer walls of the metering device 20 and the holding blocks 12 are therefore sterilized by means of the steam.
  • This also applies to the area above the material section 14 of the holding blocks 12, the pillars projecting into the ASR housing, the outside of the tubes 25 inserted through the covers 10 'and the actuating rods 26 also inserted through the covers 10' which the hydraulic cylinders 13 move the holding blocks 12. Therefore, all seals in the area of the bushings and the seal of the material section 14 run on a wall surface that can be cleaned and sterilized.
  • the steam is conducted via the exhaust air duct of the mandrels 4, via which the air escapes from the container to be filled during the filling process, via the connecting pieces 22 and 24 and via the discharge duct 6 'to a condensate drain.
  • the cleaning and sterilization can thus be carried out fully automatically, which gives a much greater certainty that no germs can come into contact with the inner surfaces of the ASR and the parts touching the product to be filled.
  • the operator must exercise extreme caution to avoid contamination of the surfaces and parts mentioned.
  • the dosing device is also included in the non-contact, automatic sterilization, maintenance of the dosing device or, for example, the replacement of a membrane, presents no difficulties. This is because only the bottom 2 together with its slide 6 to be removed, which is easy to do thanks to the quick-release fasteners. The holding blocks 12 are then completely lowered. The metering device 20 emerges from the bottom of the ASR housing and is therefore easily accessible.

Abstract

The housing for the sterile filling compartment (1,10) is resistant to compression, and has connections (21-24) for conveying and discharging cleaning fluid, steam and sterile air. Every opening (5) in the base (2) of the housing of the sterile filling compartment is closed by a closure piece (6) moved by an operating cylinder (7) and resting tightly against the outside of the base. An inflatable seal is positioned between the outside of the base of the housing and the closure piece. A dispenser (20) is positioned inside the housing between the holder blocks (12) and the filler pins (4).

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Einrichtung zum sterilen Befüllen von Behältnissen, insbesondere vor dem Entnehmen der Behältnisse aus der für ihre Herstellung verwendeten Form einer Blasformmaschine, welche die Merkmale des Oberbegriffs des Anspruches 1 aufweist.The invention relates to a device for the sterile filling of containers, in particular before removing the containers from the form of a blow molding machine used for their manufacture, which has the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Bei den bekannten Einrichtungen der eingangs genannten Art sind aufwendige und sorgfältig auszuführende Maßnahmen notwendig, um nicht nur den Fülldorn oder, wenn mehrere Behältnisse gleichzeitig gefüllt werden sollen, die Fülldorne steril zu machen und steril zu halten, sondern auch alle diejenigen Teile, welche Flächenbereiche aufweisen, die in Verbindung mit dem den Fülldorn oder die Fülldorne umgebenden Raum stehen oder kommen. Hierbei handelt es sich in erster Linie um den Halteblock und das Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuse. Um den Fülldorn oder die Fülldorne sterilisieren zu können, muß zunächst der Boden des im folgenden kurz als ASR-Gehäuse bezeichneten Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuses entfernt werden, damit am Halteblock für jeden Fülldorn eine ihn umgebende Haube befestigt werden kann. Beim Entfernen dieser Haube nach der Reinigung, dem Sterilisieren und dem Trocknen der Kanäle des Fülldorns und seiner Außenmantelfläche muß die Haube wieder entfernt werden, wobei darauf zu achten ist, daß keine Keime an den Fülldorn oder in dessen Umgebung gelangen. Dasselbe gilt für das Wiedereinsetzen des Bodens des ASR-Gehäuses. Die Innenfläche des ASR-Gehäuses und die Außenfläche des Halteblockes kann bei den bekannten Einrichtungen nur mit Hilfe eines Desinfektionsmittels desinfiziert werden, weil der für eine Sterilisation zu verwendende Dampf nicht in das ASR-Gehäuse eingeleitet werden kann.In the known devices of the type mentioned, complex and carefully carried out measures are necessary in order not only to make the mandrel or, if several containers are to be filled at the same time, sterile and keep them sterile, but also all those parts which have surface areas that are or come in connection with the space surrounding the mandrel or mandrels. This is primarily the holding block and the filling sterile room housing. In order to be able to sterilize the mandrel or mandrels, the bottom of the filling sterile space housing, hereinafter referred to as ASR housing, must first be removed so that a hood surrounding it can be attached to the holding block for each mandrel. When removing this hood after cleaning, sterilizing and drying the channels of the mandrel and The outer jacket surface of the hood must be removed, taking care that no germs get to the filling mandrel or in the vicinity. The same applies to reinserting the bottom of the ASR housing. In the known devices, the inner surface of the ASR housing and the outer surface of the holding block can only be disinfected with the aid of a disinfectant, because the steam to be used for sterilization cannot be introduced into the ASR housing.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Einrichtung zum sterilen Befüllen von Behältnissen zu schaffen, die eine vollautomatische Reinigung und Sterilisation nicht nur der Fülldorne ermöglicht, sondern auch aller derjenigen Flächen, die mit dem den Fülldorn oder die Fülldorne umgebenden Raum in Berührung sind. Diese Aufgabe löst eine Einrichtung mit den Merkmalen des Anspruches 1.The invention has for its object to provide a device for sterile filling of containers, which enables fully automatic cleaning and sterilization not only of the mandrels, but also of all those surfaces that are in contact with the space surrounding the mandrel or mandrels. This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1.

Dank der druckfesten Ausbildung des ASR-Gehäuses, seiner Anschlüsse für die Zufuhr und Ableitung von Reinigungsflüssigkeit, Dampf und steriler Luft sowie des Verschlusses für die Öffnung oder Öffnungen im Boden des ASR-Gehäuses können dessen Innenwände und die Außenwände des Halteblockes ebenso wie der Fülldorn oder die Fülldorne mit Reinigungsflüssigkeit, Dampf und steriler Luft bespült werden, und zwar insbesondere auch gleichzeitig mit der Sterilisation des Fülldorns oder der Fülldorne. Dabei ist von besonderem Vorteil, daß auf die bisher notwendige Fülldornhaube verzichtet werden kann und deshalb auch der Boden des ASR-Gehäuses nicht mehr vor der Sterilisierung des ASR-Gehäuses entfernt und nachher wieder eingebaut werden muß. Es ist deshalb eine vollautomatische Reinigung und Sterilisation aller in Frage kommenden Oberflächen möglich, ohne daß eine Person diese Flächen zu berühren braucht.Thanks to the pressure-resistant design of the ASR housing, its connections for the supply and discharge of cleaning fluid, steam and sterile air as well as the closure for the opening or openings in the bottom of the ASR housing, its inner walls and the outer walls of the holding block as well as the mandrel or the mandrels are flushed with cleaning fluid, steam and sterile air, in particular also simultaneously with the sterilization of the mandrel or the mandrels. It is particularly advantageous that the previously required mandrel hood can be dispensed with and therefore the bottom of the ASR housing no longer has to be removed before the ASR housing is sterilized and then reinstalled. A fully automatic cleaning and sterilization of all surfaces in question is therefore possible without a person having to touch these surfaces.

Vorzugsweise ist dann, wenn die Öffnung oder Öffnungen im Boden des ASR-Gehäuses verschlossen sind, eine aufblasbare Dichtung zwischen der Außenseite des Bodens des ASR-Gehäuses und der ihr zugekehrten Seite des beweglichen Verschlusses vorhanden. Vorteilhafterweise wird der bewegliche Verschluß mittels eines Arbeitszylinders betätigt, damit auch der Verschluß in die Automatisierung einbezogen werden kann.When the opening or openings in the bottom of the ASR housing are closed, it is preferably an inflatable one There is a seal between the outside of the bottom of the ASR housing and the side of the movable closure facing it. The movable closure is advantageously actuated by means of a working cylinder, so that the closure can also be included in the automation.

Bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist die Dosiervorrichtung im Inneren des ASR-Gehäuses zwischen dem Halteblock oder den Halteblöcken einerseits und dem Fülldorn oder den Fülldornen andererseits angeordnet. Die Anordnung der Dosiervorrichtung im Inneren des ASR-Gehäuses ergibt den Vorteil, daß auch sie automatisch gereinigt und sterilisiert wird. Da man eine lösbare Verbindung, vorzugsweise mittels Schnellverschlüssen, für den Boden des ASR-Gehäuses vorsehen kann, kann man, wenn ein Zugriff zu der Dosiervorrichtung erforderlich ist, beispielsweise eine Dosiermembrane ausgewechselt werden muß, die Dosiervorrichtung nach unten aus dem ASR-Gehäuse herausfahren, nachdem dessen Boden entfernt worden ist.In a preferred embodiment, the metering device is arranged inside the ASR housing between the holding block or blocks on the one hand and the mandrel or mandrels on the other. The arrangement of the dosing device inside the ASR housing has the advantage that it is also automatically cleaned and sterilized. Since a detachable connection can be provided, preferably by means of quick-release fasteners, for the bottom of the ASR housing, if access to the metering device is required, for example a metering membrane has to be replaced, the metering device can be moved downwards out of the ASR housing, after its bottom has been removed.

Wenn das ASR-Gehäuse einen unteren Teil, der die Dosiereinrichtung aufnimmt, und für jeden vorhandenen Halteblock einen zylindrischen oberen Teil aufweist, wie dies vorzugsweise der Fall ist, kann der Halteblock an der Innenwand des oberen zylindrischen Teils geführt werden, was für eine genaue Führung des Dornes wichtig ist. Vorteilhafterweise hat der Halteblock in diesem Falle für seine Führung am Übergang von einem oberen Abschnitt zu einem unteren Abschnitt eine radial nach außen über die Außenmantelfläche sowohl des oberen als auch des unteren Abschnittes vorspringende, ringförmige Materialpartie, welche den Block in der Art eines Kolbens führt. Damit trotz dieser Führung und der durch sie, vorzugsweise zusammen mit einer Ringdichtung, bewirkten Abdichtung sichergestellt ist, daß die gesamte Innenwandfläche gereinigt und sterilisiert wird, ist bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der den oberen Abschnitt des Halteblockes in dessen höchster Position aufnehmende Bereich des oberen Teils des ASR-Gehäuses mit wenigstens einem Einlaß und wenigstens einem Auslaß für Reinigungsflüssigkeit, Dampf und sterile Luft versehen. Hierdurch kann der oberhalb der Führung des Halteblockes liegende Raumteil des ASR-Gehäuses ebenso intensiv gereinigt und sterilisiert werden wie der unterhalb der Führung liegende Raumteil.If the ASR housing has a lower part which receives the metering device and a cylindrical upper part for each existing holding block, as is preferably the case, the holding block can be guided on the inner wall of the upper cylindrical part, for precise guidance of the thorn is important. In this case, the holding block advantageously has, for its guidance at the transition from an upper section to a lower section, an annular material portion projecting radially outward beyond the outer lateral surface of both the upper and the lower section, which guides the block in the manner of a piston. So that despite this guide and the sealing caused by it, preferably together with an annular seal, it is ensured that the entire inner wall surface is cleaned and sterilized, in a preferred embodiment the area of the upper part of the holding block that receives the upper section of the holding block in its highest position ASR housing with at least one inlet and at least one outlet for cleaning liquid, Provide steam and sterile air. As a result, the space part of the ASR housing located above the guide of the holding block can be cleaned and sterilized as intensively as the space part located below the guide.

Im Interesse einer präzisen Führung befindet sich die ringförmige Materialpartie bei vollständig abgesenktem Halteblock in Höhe des unteren Endes des oberen Teiles des ASR-Gehäuses. Außerdem ragt in einen zentralen, an seinem unteren Ende verschlossenen Längskanal des Halteblockes von oben her eine starr mit dem oberen Ende des oberen Teils des ASR-Gehäuses verbundene Säule, auf der über eine Kugelumlaufbuchse der obere Abschnitt des Halteblocks längsverschiebbar geführt ist.In the interest of precise guidance, the ring-shaped material section is located at the lower end of the upper part of the ASR housing when the holding block is completely lowered. In addition, a column rigidly connected to the upper end of the upper part of the ASR housing protrudes from above into a central longitudinal channel of the holding block, which is closed at its lower end and on which the upper section of the holding block is guided so as to be longitudinally displaceable via a recirculating ball bushing.

Die Halteblock-Antriebsvorrichtung weist vorzugsweise einen hydraulischen Zylinder als Antriebselement auf, damit bei Druckabfall kein unbeabsichtigtes Absenken des Halteblockes erfolgen kann. Diesem hydraulischen Zylinder ist bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform eine Proportionalsteuerung zugeordnet, welche eine präzise Steuerung der Bewegung des Halteblockes ermöglicht.The holding block drive device preferably has a hydraulic cylinder as the drive element, so that the holding block cannot be inadvertently lowered when the pressure drops. In a preferred embodiment, this hydraulic cylinder is assigned a proportional control which enables precise control of the movement of the holding block.

Die erfindungsgemäße Einrichtung ist nicht nur für die Ausrüstung neuer Maschinen, sondern auch für eine Nachrüstung geeignet, zumal sie eine hohe Reinraumtauglichkeit aufweist. Letzteres ist auch darauf zurückzuführen, daß nur zwei bewegliche Durchführungen zum Innenraum des ASR-Gehäuses vorhanden sind und die Dichtungen der Durchführungen auf Wänden gleiten, welche den evakuierbaren Innenraum des ASR-Gehäuses begrenzen und gereinigt sowie sterilisiert werden können.The device according to the invention is not only suitable for equipping new machines, but also for retrofitting, especially since it is highly suitable for clean rooms. The latter is also due to the fact that there are only two movable bushings to the interior of the ASR housing and the seals of the bushings slide on walls, which limit the evacuable interior of the ASR housing and can be cleaned and sterilized.

Im folgenden ist die Erfindung anhand eines in der Zeichnung dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiels im einzelnen erläutert. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
einen Längsschnitt des Ausführungsbeispiels parallel zu einer der beiden Schmalseiten des unteren Teils des ASR-Gehäuses in der höchsten Fülldorn-Stellung,
Fig. 2
einen Längsschnitt des Ausführungsbeispiels parallel zu einer Längsseite des unteren Teils des ASR-Gehäuses in der tiefsten Fülldorn-Stellung,
Fig. 3
einen Längsschnitt entsprechend Fig. 2 in der höchsten Fülldorn-Stellung.
The invention is explained in detail below using an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it:
Fig. 1
2 shows a longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment parallel to one of the two narrow sides of the lower part of the ASR housing in the highest mandrel position,
Fig. 2
2 shows a longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment parallel to a longitudinal side of the lower part of the ASR housing in the deepest mandrel position,
Fig. 3
a longitudinal section corresponding to FIG. 2 in the highest mandrel position.

Eine Einrichtung zum sterilen Befüllen von Behältnissen, insbesondere einer Reihe von Ampullen oder Flaschen, vor dem Entnehmen aus der für ihre Herstellung verwendeten Form einer Blasformmaschine weist einen quaderförmigen Unterteil 1 eines Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuses, im folgenden kurz ASR-Gehäuse genannt, auf, der an seiner Unterseite mittels eines Bodens 2 dicht verschlossen ist. Dieser Boden 2 ist mittels Schnellverschlüssen 3, die als Spannverschlüsse ausgebildet sind, mit dem ASR-Gehäuse lösbar verbunden. Die Innenfläche des Bodens 2 hat, wie Fig. 1 zeigt, ein Gefälle von den beiden Längsseiten 1' des Unterteils 1 zur Mitte hin, wo für jeden vorhandenen Fülldorn 4 eine Durchtrittsöffnung 5 vorgesehen ist. Diese Durchtrittsöffnungen 5 dienen nämlich nicht nur dem Durchtritt der Fülldorne 4, sondern auch der Ableitung von Reinigungsflüssigkeit und Dampf.A device for the sterile filling of containers, in particular a row of ampoules or bottles, before removal from the mold of a blow molding machine used for their manufacture, has a cuboid lower part 1 of a filling sterile space housing, hereinafter referred to as ASR housing, on which its underside is tightly closed by means of a base 2. This base 2 is detachably connected to the ASR housing by means of quick-release fasteners 3, which are designed as tension locks. The inner surface of the bottom 2, as shown in FIG. 1, has a slope from the two long sides 1 'of the lower part 1 to the center, where a passage opening 5 is provided for each filling mandrel 4 present. These passage openings 5 serve not only for the passage of the mandrels 4, but also for the discharge of cleaning fluid and steam.

Die Durchtrittsöffnungen 5 sind mittels eines an der Unterseite des Bodens 2 vorgesehenen Verschlußschiebers 6 dicht verschließbar, der mittels wenigstens eines Arbeitszylinders 7 zwischen der in Fig. 1 dargestellten Schließstellung und einer Freigabestellung verschiebbar ist, in welcher der Verschlußschieber 6 sich nahe einem am seitlichen Längsrand des Bodens 2 vorgesehenen Halter 8 befindet. Auf der gegen den Boden 2 weisenden Oberseite ist der Verschlußschieber 6 mit einer umlaufenden, in sich geschlossenen Nut 9 versehen, in der eine aufblasbare, nicht dargestellte Dichtung liegt, die aufgeblasen wird, wenn sich der Verschlußschieber 6 in der Schließstellung befindet.The passage openings 5 can be closed tightly by means of a closure slide 6 provided on the underside of the base 2, which can be closed by means of at least one working cylinder 7 between the closed position shown in FIG. 1 and one Release position is displaceable, in which the closure slide 6 is located near a holder 8 provided on the lateral longitudinal edge of the base 2. On the top facing the bottom 2, the slide valve 6 is provided with a circumferential, self-contained groove 9 in which there is an inflatable seal, not shown, which is inflated when the slide valve 6 is in the closed position.

Auf die Oberseite des Unterteils 1 sind nahe den beiden Schmalseiten 1'' zwei gleich ausgebildete Oberteile 10 aufgesetzt, welche die Form eines nach unten offenen, zylindrischen Topfes haben, dessen Längsachse lotrecht zur Oberseite des Unterteils 1 verläuft. Die beiden Oberteile 10 sind auf je eine Öffnung 11 in der Oberseite ausgerichtet und mit letzterer dicht verbunden.On the upper side of the lower part 1, two identical upper parts 10 are placed near the two narrow sides 1 ″, which have the shape of a cylindrical pot which is open at the bottom and whose longitudinal axis runs perpendicular to the upper side of the lower part 1. The two upper parts 10 are each aligned with an opening 11 in the upper side and tightly connected to the latter.

In den beiden Oberteilen 10 ist längsverschiebbar je ein Halteblock 12 geführt. Diese beiden gleich ausgebildeten Halteblöcke 12 sind mittels je eines außen neben dem Oberteil 10 angeordneten Hydraulikzylinders 13 in ihrer Längsrichtung bewegbar, was einer Auf- und Abbewegung im eingebauten Zustand der Einrichtung entspricht. Am Übergang von einem oberen Abschnitt 12' des Halteblocks 12 zu einem unteren Abschnitt 12'' weist der Halteblock 12 eine radial nach außen überstehende, ringförmige Materialpartie 14 auf, welche in der Art eines Zylinders von der Innenwand des Oberteils 10 geführt wird. Eine in einer radial nach außen offenen Ringnut 15 der Materialpartie 14 liegende, nicht dargestellte Ringdichtung dichtet den oberhalb der Materialpartie 14 liegenden Raum von dem unterhalb der Materialpartie 14 liegenden Raum ab, der in Verbindung mit dem Innenraum des unteren Teiles 1 steht. Wie Fig. 2 zeigt, befindet sich in der vollständig abgesenkten Position des Halteblockes 12 dessen Materialpartie 14 in Höhe des an den Unterteil 1 anschließenden Endes des Oberteils 10. Diese tiefstmögliche Anordnung der Führung des Halteblockes 12 läßt eine hohe Führungsgenauigkeit erreichen.In the two upper parts 10, a holding block 12 is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner. These two identically designed holding blocks 12 can each be moved in their longitudinal direction by means of a hydraulic cylinder 13 arranged on the outside next to the upper part 10, which corresponds to an up and down movement in the installed state of the device. At the transition from an upper section 12 ′ of the holding block 12 to a lower section 12 ″, the holding block 12 has a radially outwardly projecting, ring-shaped material section 14, which is guided in the manner of a cylinder from the inner wall of the upper part 10. An annular seal, not shown, located in a radially outwardly open annular groove 15 of the material section 14 seals the space above the material section 14 from the space below the material section 14, which is in communication with the interior of the lower part 1. As shown in FIG. 2, in the completely lowered position of the holding block 12, its material section 14 is located at the level of the end of the upper part 10 adjoining the lower part 1. This arrangement of the guide of the holding block 12 as deep as possible allows a high guiding accuracy to be achieved.

Die Halteblöcke 12 sind mit einer am unteren Ende verschlossenen, zentralen Sacklochbohrung 16 versehen, in die von oben her eine starr mit dem Oberteil 10 verbundene Säule 17 eingreift. Auf dieser Säule 17 ist der obere Abschnitt 12' des Halteblockes 12 mittels einer rostfreien Kugelumlaufbuchse 18 spielfrei geführt. Auch diese Führung trägt zur Erzielung einer hohen Genauigkeit bei. Das untere Ende der Säule 17 trägt einen Führungskolben 19, der einen Dichtungsring trägt, welcher an der Innenwand des unteren Abschnittes 12'' anliegt.The holding blocks 12 are provided with a central blind hole 16 which is closed at the lower end and into which a column 17 rigidly connected to the upper part 10 engages. The upper section 12 ′ of the holding block 12 is guided on this column 17 without play by means of a stainless steel ball bushing 18. This guidance also contributes to achieving high accuracy. The lower end of the column 17 carries a guide piston 19 which carries a sealing ring which bears against the inner wall of the lower section 12 ″.

Die beiden Halteblöcke 12 tragen eine an ihrer Unterseite festgelegte, blockförmige Dosiervorrichtung 20, die an ihrer dem Boden 2 des ASR-Gehäuses zugewandten Unterseite Anschlüsse für die Fülldorne 4 aufweist, von denen in Fig. 2 nur ein einziger und in Fig. 3 nicht alle dargestellt sind. Die Dosiervorrichtung 20 enthält für jeden Fülldorn-Anschluß die zu einer Zeit- Druck-Dosierung erforderlichen Ventile, bei denen es sich im Ausführungsbeispiel um Membranventile handelt.The two holding blocks 12 carry a block-shaped metering device 20 fixed on their underside, which has connections for the mandrels 4 on their underside facing the bottom 2 of the ASR housing, of which only one in FIG. 2 and not all in FIG. 3 are shown. The metering device 20 contains for each mandrel connection the valves required for time-pressure metering, which in the exemplary embodiment are diaphragm valves.

An der Oberseite des Unterteils 1 des ASR-Gehäuses sind zwei Anschlußstutzen 21 und 22 vorgesehen, über welche Reinigungsflüssigkeit, Dampf und sterilisierte Luft in das Innere des ASR-Gehäuses eingeleitet und aus diesem abgeleitet werden können. Ferner weisen die beiden Oberteile 10 des ASR-Gehäuses in demjenigen Bereich, welcher den oberen Abschnitt 12' des Halteblockes 12 in dessen höchster Stellung aufnimmt, einen oberen Anschlußstutzen 23 und einen unteren Anschlußstutzen 24 auf, über die ebenfalls Reinigungsflüssigkeit, Dampf und sterile Luft zugeführt und abgeleitet werden können. Weiterhin sind neben den beiden Anschlußstutzen 21 und 22 nicht dargestellte Entnahmestutzen für mikrobiologische Untersuchungen und für eine Partikelzählung vorhanden.At the top of the lower part 1 of the ASR housing, two connecting pieces 21 and 22 are provided, via which cleaning liquid, steam and sterilized air can be introduced into the interior of the ASR housing and can be removed therefrom. Furthermore, the two upper parts 10 of the ASR housing, in the area which receives the upper section 12 'of the holding block 12 in its highest position, have an upper connecting piece 23 and a lower connecting piece 24, via which cleaning liquid, steam and sterile air are also supplied and can be derived. In addition to the two connecting pieces 21 and 22, there are sampling ports (not shown) for microbiological tests and for particle counting.

Wie insbesondere Fig. 2 zeigt, durchdringen parallel zu den Säulen 17 verlaufende Rohre 25 den die Oberteile 10 nach oben hin begrenzenden Deckel 10' und sind fest sowie dicht mit dem zugeordneten Halteblock 12 verbunden. Die Rohre 25 bewegen sich deshalb zusammen mit den Halteblöcken 12 relativ zum Oberteil des ASR-Gehäuses, weshalb je eine Dichtung im Bereich der Durchführung der Rohre 25 durch den Deckel 10' vorgesehen ist.As shown in FIG. 2 in particular, tubes 25 running parallel to the columns 17 penetrate the cover 10 ′ which delimits the upper parts 10 upwards and are firm and tight with the associated holding block 12 connected. The tubes 25 therefore move together with the holding blocks 12 relative to the upper part of the ASR housing, which is why a seal is provided in the area where the tubes 25 pass through the cover 10 '.

Ehe die Einrichtung in Betrieb genommen werden kann, ist eine Reinigung, eine Sterilisation und eine Trocknung erforderlich. Für diese Arbeitsgänge werden zunächst alle Halteblöcke 12 ganz nach oben bewegt, also in die in den Fig. 1 und 3 dargestellte Position, in welcher die Fülldorne 4 vollständig aus den Durchtrittsöffnungen 5 des Bodens 2 nach oben herausgezogen sind. Danach werden der Verschlußschieber 6 in seine in Fig. 1 dargestellte Schließstellung gebracht und dessen aufblasbare Dichtung aufgeblasen, damit der Boden 2 dicht verschlossen ist. Ein Anbringen je einer Dornhaube und das dazu bei den bekannten Einrichtungen erforderliche Entfernen des Bodens des ASR-Gehäuses ist nicht erforderlich.Before the device can be put into operation, cleaning, sterilization and drying are required. For these operations, all of the holding blocks 12 are first moved all the way up, that is to say into the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in which the mandrels 4 are completely pulled out of the through openings 5 of the base 2. Thereafter, the slide valve 6 is brought into its closed position shown in FIG. 1 and its inflatable seal is inflated so that the bottom 2 is sealed. It is not necessary to attach a mandrel hood and to remove the bottom of the ASR housing, which is required in the known devices.

Durch den Anschlußstutzen 21, den oberen Anschlußstutzen 23 und die der Zuführung des später abzufüllenden Produktes dienenden Rohre 25 wird nun zunächst Reinigungsflüssigkeit eingeleitet, welche sowohl alle Kanäle der Fülldorne 4 und deren Zuleitungen als auch alle Wandflächen des ASR-Gehäuses, der Halteblöcke 12 und der Dosiervorrichtung 20 reinigt, welche mit dem die Fülldorne 4 umgebenden Raum in Berührung sind und in Berührung kommen können. Über den Anschlußstutzen 22 und den unteren Anschlußstutzen 24 wird die Reinigungsflüssigkeit abgeleitet. Ist, wie im Ausführungsbeispiel, der Verschlußschieber 6 mit einem Ableitkanal 6' versehen, kann auch über diesen ein Teil der Reinigungsflüssigkeit abgeleitet werden. Nach dieser Reinigung werden alle Teile mit Dampf sterilisiert, der einen Überdruck bis zu 3 bar aufweisen kann. Dank der druckfesten Ausbildung des ASR-Gehäuses kann der Dampf nicht nur durch die Rohre 25 zu- und abgeführt, sondern auch durch den Anschlußstutzen 21 und den oberen Anschlußstutzen 23 in das ASR-Gehäuse eingeleitet werden. Alle Innenwände des ASR-Gehäuses sowie alle Außenwände der Dosiervorrichtung 20 und der Halteblöcke 12 werden deshalb mittels des Dampfes sterilisiert. Dies gilt auch für den Bereich, der oberhalb der Materialpartie 14 der Halteblöcke 12 liegt, die in das ASR-Gehäuse ragenden Säulen, die Außenseite der durch die Deckel 10' eingeführten Rohre 25 und der ebenfalls durch die Deckel 10' eingeführten Betätigungsstangen 26, über welche die Hydraulikzylinder 13 die Halteblöcke 12 verschieben. Deshalb laufen alle Dichtungen im Bereich der Durchführungen sowie die Dichtung der Materialpartie 14 auf einer Wandfläche, die gereinigt und sterilisiert werden kann. Es ist zweckmäßig, während der Reinigung und während des Sterilisierens die Halteblöcke 12 etwas auf- und abzubewegen. Der Dampf wird über den Abluftkanal der Fülldorne 4, über den während des Füllvorganges die Luft aus dem zu füllenden Behälter entweicht, über die Anschlußstutzen 22 und 24 sowie über den Ableitkanal 6' zu einem Kondensatableiter geführt und entspannt.Through the connection piece 21, the upper connection piece 23 and the pipes 25 for the supply of the product to be filled later, cleaning liquid is now first introduced, which includes all channels of the mandrels 4 and their feed lines as well as all wall surfaces of the ASR housing, the holding blocks 12 and the Dosing device 20 cleans which are in contact with the space surrounding the mandrels 4 and can come into contact. The cleaning liquid is drained off via the connecting piece 22 and the lower connecting piece 24. If, as in the exemplary embodiment, the closure slide 6 is provided with a discharge channel 6 ', part of the cleaning liquid can also be discharged via this. After this cleaning, all parts are sterilized with steam, which can have an overpressure of up to 3 bar. Thanks to the pressure-resistant design of the ASR housing, the steam can not only be supplied and discharged through the pipes 25, but can also be introduced into the ASR housing through the connecting piece 21 and the upper connecting piece 23. All interior walls of the The ASR housing and all the outer walls of the metering device 20 and the holding blocks 12 are therefore sterilized by means of the steam. This also applies to the area above the material section 14 of the holding blocks 12, the pillars projecting into the ASR housing, the outside of the tubes 25 inserted through the covers 10 'and the actuating rods 26 also inserted through the covers 10' which the hydraulic cylinders 13 move the holding blocks 12. Therefore, all seals in the area of the bushings and the seal of the material section 14 run on a wall surface that can be cleaned and sterilized. It is expedient to move the holding blocks 12 up and down somewhat during cleaning and during sterilization. The steam is conducted via the exhaust air duct of the mandrels 4, via which the air escapes from the container to be filled during the filling process, via the connecting pieces 22 and 24 and via the discharge duct 6 'to a condensate drain.

Nach der Sterilisation wird über die Anschlußstutzen 21 und 23 sowie über die Rohre 25 sterile Luft eingeblasen, damit durch die Abkühlung kein Unterdruck entsteht und gleichzeitig Flüssigkeitsreste entfernt werden können. Im Inneren des ASR-Gehäuses entsteht dadurch eine Atmosphäre der Klasse 100.After sterilization, sterile air is blown in via the connecting pieces 21 and 23 and via the pipes 25, so that no negative pressure is created by the cooling and liquid residues can be removed at the same time. This creates a class 100 atmosphere inside the ASR housing.

Die Reinigung und Sterilisation kann also vollautomatisch durchgeführt werden, was eine wesentlich größere Sicherheit dafür gibt, daß keinerlei Keime in Berührung mit den inneren Oberflächen der ASR sowie den das abzufüllende Produkt berührenden Teilen gelangen können. Bei der herkömmlichen Methode muß die Bedienungsperson äußerste Vorsicht walten lassen, um eine Kontamination der genannten Flächen und Teile zu vermeiden.The cleaning and sterilization can thus be carried out fully automatically, which gives a much greater certainty that no germs can come into contact with the inner surfaces of the ASR and the parts touching the product to be filled. With the conventional method, the operator must exercise extreme caution to avoid contamination of the surfaces and parts mentioned.

Obwohl auch die Dosiervorrichtung in die berührungsfreie, automatische Sterilisation einbezogen ist, bereitet eine Wartung der Dosiervorrichtung oder beispielsweise der Austausch einer Membrane keinerlei Schwierigkeiten. Hierzu braucht nämlich nur der Boden 2 zusammen mit seinem Verschlußschieber 6 abgenommen zu werden, was dank der Schnellverschlüsse einfach auszuführen ist. Sodann werden die Halteblöcke 12 vollständig abgesenkt. Dabei tritt die Dosiervorrichtung 20 unten aus dem ASR-Gehäuse aus und ist damit gut zugänglich.Although the dosing device is also included in the non-contact, automatic sterilization, maintenance of the dosing device or, for example, the replacement of a membrane, presents no difficulties. This is because only the bottom 2 together with its slide 6 to be removed, which is easy to do thanks to the quick-release fasteners. The holding blocks 12 are then completely lowered. The metering device 20 emerges from the bottom of the ASR housing and is therefore easily accessible.

Claims (11)

Einrichtung zum sterilen Befüllen von Behältnissen, insbesondere vor dem Entnehmen der Behältnisse aus der für ihre Herstellung verwendeten Form einer Blasformmaschine, mit a) einem Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuse, b) mindestens einem Halteblock, der wenigstens einen Fülldorn trägt und in Längsrichtung des Fülldornes verschiebbar im Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuse geführt ist, c) je einer Öffnung im Boden des Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuses für den Durchtritt des zugeordneten Fülldornes, d) einer Dosiervorrichtung für die Dosierung der von jedem vorhandenen Fülldorn bei jedem Füllvorgang abzugebenden Flüssigkeitsmenge, e) einer Halteblock-Antriebsvorrichtung, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß f) das Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuse (1, 10) druckfest ausgebildet und mit Anschlüssen (21 bis 24) für die Zufuhr und Ableitung von Reinigungsflüssigkeit, Dampf und steriler Luft versehen ist, g) jede vorhandene Öffnung (5) im Boden (2) des Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuses (1, 10) mittels eines an die Bodenaußenseite dicht anlegbaren, beweglichen Verschlusses (6) verschließbar ist. Device for the sterile filling of containers, in particular before the containers are removed from the form of a blow molding machine used for their manufacture a) a filling sterile room housing, b) at least one holding block which carries at least one filling mandrel and is guided in the filling sterile space housing so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the filling mandrel, c) one opening each in the bottom of the filling sterile room housing for the passage of the assigned mandrel, d) a metering device for metering the amount of liquid to be dispensed from each filling mandrel present during each filling process, e) a holding block drive device, characterized in that f) the filling sterile space housing (1, 10) is designed to be pressure-resistant and is provided with connections (21 to 24) for the supply and discharge of cleaning fluid, steam and sterile air, g) each existing opening (5) in the bottom (2) of the filling sterile chamber housing (1, 10) can be closed by means of a movable closure (6) which can be placed tightly against the outside of the bottom. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet durch eine aufblasbare Dichtung zwischen der Außenseite des Bodens (2) des Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuses (1, 10) und dem Verschluß (6).Device according to claim 1, characterized by an inflatable seal between the outside of the bottom (2) of the filling sterile space housing (1, 10) and the closure (6). Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, gekennzeichnet durch einen Arbeitszylinder (7) als Antrieb für den beweglichen Verschluß (6).Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a working cylinder (7) as a drive for the movable closure (6). Einrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Dosiervorrichtung (20) im Inneren des Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuses (1, 10) zwischen dem Halteblock oder den Halteblöcken (12) einerseits und dem Fülldorn oder den Fülldornen (4) andererseits angeordnet ist.Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the metering device (20) is arranged inside the filling sterile space housing (1, 10) between the holding block or blocks (12) on the one hand and the filling mandrel or the filling mandrels (4) on the other hand is. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 4, gekennzeichnet durch Schnellverschlüsse (3) für eine lösbare Verbindung des Bodens (2) des Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuses (1, 10) mit dessen unterem Ende.Device according to claim 4, characterized by quick fasteners (3) for a releasable connection of the bottom (2) of the filling sterile space housing (1, 10) to the lower end thereof. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuse (1, 10) einen unteren Teil (1), der die Dosiervorrichtung (20) aufnimmt, und für jeden vorhandenen Halteblock (12) einen zylindrischen Oberteil (10) aufweist, an dessen Innenwand der Halteblock (12) geführt ist.Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the filling sterile space housing (1, 10) has a lower part (1) which receives the dosing device (20) and a cylindrical upper part (10) for each holding block (12) present , on the inner wall of which the holding block (12) is guided. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Halteblock (12) für seine Führung am Übergang von einem oberen Abschnitt (12') zu einem unteren Abschnitt (12'') eine radial nach außen über die Außenmantelfläche sowohl des oberen als auch des unteren Abschnittes vorspringende, ringförmige Materialpartie (14) aufweist, und daß der den oberen Abschnitt (12') des Halteblockes (12) in dessen höchster Position aufnehmende Bereich des Oberteils (10) des Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuses (1, 10) mit wenigstens einem Einlaß (23) und wenigstens einem Auslaß (24) für Reinigungsflüssigkeit, Dampf und sterile Luft versehen ist.Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the holding block (12) for its guidance at the transition from an upper section (12 ') to a lower section (12' ') radially outwards over the outer lateral surface of both the upper and the lower Has projecting, annular material portion (14), and that the upper portion (12 ') of the holding block (12) in its highest position receiving area of the upper part (10) of the filling sterile housing (1, 10) with at least one inlet ( 23) and at least one outlet (24) for cleaning liquid, steam and sterile air. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die ringförmige Materialpartie (14) des Halteblockes (12) in ihrer Mantelfläche mit einer Ringnut (15) versehen ist, die eine abdichtend sowohl an der ringförmigen Materialpartie (14) als auch der Innenwand des Oberteils (10) des Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuses (1, 10) anliegende Ringdichtung enthält.Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the annular material part (14) of the holding block (12) is provided in its outer surface with an annular groove (15) which seals both the annular material part (14) and the inner wall of the upper part ( 10) of the filling sterile chamber housing (1, 10) contains adjacent ring seal. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die ringförmige Materialpartie (14) bei vollständig abgesenktem Halteblock (12) sich in Höhe des unteren Endes des Oberteils (10) des Abfüllsterilraum-Gehäuses (1, 10) befindet und daß in einen zentralen Längskanal (16) des Halteblockes (12) von oben her eine starr mit dem oberen Ende des Halteblockes (12) verbundene zylindrische Säule (17) ragt, auf der über eine Kugelumlaufbuchse (18) der obere Abschnitt (12') des Halteblockes (12) längsverschiebbar geführt ist.Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the annular material section (14) when the holding block (12) is completely lowered is at the level of the lower end of the upper part (10) of the filling sterile chamber housing (1, 10) and in a central one The longitudinal channel (16) of the holding block (12) projects from above a cylindrical column (17) rigidly connected to the upper end of the holding block (12), on which the upper section (12 ') of the holding block (12 ) is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner. Einrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Halteblock-Antriebsvorrichtung wenigstens einen hydraulischen Zylinder (13) als Antriebselement aufweist.Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the holding block drive device has at least one hydraulic cylinder (13) as the drive element. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß dem hydraulischen Zylinder (13) eine Proportionalsteuerung zugeordnet ist.Device according to claim 10, characterized in that a proportional control is assigned to the hydraulic cylinder (13).
EP95103037A 1994-03-21 1995-03-03 Apparatus for aseptically filling containers Expired - Lifetime EP0673837B1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2788049A1 (en) * 1999-01-06 2000-07-07 Sidel Sa DELIVERY PROCESS IN A FILLING MACHINE AND FILLING MACHINE FOR CARRYING OUT SUCH A METHOD
FR2788047A1 (en) * 1999-01-06 2000-07-07 Sidel Sa FILLING MACHINE COMPRISING IMPROVED CLEANING MEANS
WO2000040504A1 (en) * 1999-01-06 2000-07-13 Sidel Filling machine comprising advanced cleaning means
WO2000040503A1 (en) * 1999-01-06 2000-07-13 Sidel Flowback method in a filling machine and filling machine for carrying out said method
US6453953B1 (en) 1999-01-06 2002-09-24 Sidel Flowback method in a filling machine and filling machine for carrying out said method
US6457497B1 (en) 1999-01-06 2002-10-01 Sidel Filling machine comprising advanced cleaning means
FR2791338A1 (en) * 1999-03-26 2000-09-29 Serac Group CONTAINER FILLING DEVICE HAVING AN INTEGRATED CLEANING DEVICE
WO2000058198A1 (en) * 1999-03-26 2000-10-05 Serac Group Device for filling receptacles fitted with an integrated cleaning device

Also Published As

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JPH07315343A (en) 1995-12-05
DE4409617A1 (en) 1995-09-28
FI951220A (en) 1995-09-22
FI111531B (en) 2003-08-15
FI951220A0 (en) 1995-03-15
CA2143575A1 (en) 1995-09-22
JP4047399B2 (en) 2008-02-13
IN181676B (en) 1998-08-29
DE59500658D1 (en) 1997-10-23
AU1352495A (en) 1995-09-28
NO307600B1 (en) 2000-05-02
CA2143575C (en) 2004-06-29
EP0673837B1 (en) 1997-09-17
DK0673837T3 (en) 1998-04-27
NO951056L (en) 1995-09-22
ES2106583T3 (en) 1997-11-01
NO951056D0 (en) 1995-03-20

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