EP0755897A1 - Process and apparatus for filling bottles, in particular plastic bottles, with liquid - Google Patents

Process and apparatus for filling bottles, in particular plastic bottles, with liquid Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0755897A1
EP0755897A1 EP96450017A EP96450017A EP0755897A1 EP 0755897 A1 EP0755897 A1 EP 0755897A1 EP 96450017 A EP96450017 A EP 96450017A EP 96450017 A EP96450017 A EP 96450017A EP 0755897 A1 EP0755897 A1 EP 0755897A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
bottles
filling
station
plastic
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Granted
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EP96450017A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0755897B1 (en
Inventor
Olivier Bedin
Jean Bedin
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D E E P - Civile Ste
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D E E P - Civile Ste
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Publication of EP0755897A1 publication Critical patent/EP0755897A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • 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 present invention relates to a method for filling bottles, in particular plastic, with a liquid, more particularly a fruit drink, as well as the associated device.
  • Food liquids and in particular fruit drinks are being packaged more and more in various containers and in particular in metal cans, the lid of which comprises a cover that comes from the manufacture with said box and equipped with a pulling ring allowing the opening and fluid consumption.
  • Glass packaging is also known which gives a perfect guarantee of conservation of the organoleptic qualities of the liquids contained but which also allows the filling of hot liquids sterilized while hot, causing a depression of the interior of the container when returning to ambient temperature. .
  • the heat treatment can modify the initial qualities of the liquids and above all such a process proves to be energy-consuming, both for the liquid treatment only for reheating bottles to avoid thermal shock during filling.
  • the plastic bottle also allows a significant weight gain and a reduction in the risk of cutting with pieces of glass bottles whose fragility is not to be proven.
  • plastic containers has mainly been directed towards polyvinyl chlorides but above all towards polyethylenes, called PET for the rest of the description.
  • This material is produced at low cost, it is recyclable and it can be integrated as a step in a filling process, by in situ manufacturing of the containers with a rate in accordance with the filling capacities.
  • the filling process then poses a problem because the temperature-resistant PET is of a high cost price, because of the quantity of material necessary for increasing the thickness of the walls.
  • the thickness of the wall is reduced, which contributes to a saving of material, therefore to a saving in price and a saving in subsequent recycling.
  • Cold filling has the definite advantage of eliminating the crushing of the bottle which would have been caused by hot filling. Indeed, the cooling which follows the hot filling causes a contraction of the gaseous fluid present in the bottle which results in a deformation of the bottle called "collapse", linked to the fact that the mechanical resistance of the walls is too weak to resist the degression caused by the contraction of the gaseous fluid.
  • the method of the drop of liquid nitrogen is known which allows the liquid to be kept in contact with the released nitrogen gas, the closure of the container having to intervene very quickly after the introduction of the drop of nitrogen.
  • the manufacture is not envisaged in situ and the stoppers are rather supplied from other places with deliveries generally in double packaging: the caps are in a plastic film bag and these bags are stored in cartons that have undergone treatment.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to propose a method for filling plastic bottles, in particular PET, which makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and in particular to eliminate the collapse and to avoid any fermentation after filling during storage before sales and consumption, knowing that the target set is a sales deadline of the order of several months, this in hygienic conditions called ultra-clean.
  • the present invention also relates to the associated device which makes it possible to implement the various stages of the method.
  • the inert gas is nitrogen in the case of fruit drinks, in particular, and the treated air is class 100 air.
  • the air contained in the bottle is evacuated, filling and leveling by suction under low vacuum, the sucked air being discharged and the sucked liquid being brought upstream of the treatment circuit. .
  • the deaeration station comprises a tank with means for placing under vacuum.
  • the liquid saturation station comprises a tank, pressurizing neutral gas with respect to the liquid from a source of this gas, in this case a bottle equipped with a regulator, and means for spraying the liquid. in said tank.
  • the bottle washing station includes means for spraying ozonated water onto the interior and exterior walls of the bottles and means for drying under a hood under laminar flow of air treated by filtration in class 100.
  • the bottle filling station includes a supply circuit with a distributor tank, distribution arms, spouts operating under slight depression connected to these arms and a suction circuit independent of the supply circuit.
  • the distributor tank is of small capacity, therefore of small dimensions, and the distribution arms are mounted radiating so as to disturb the laminar flow as little as possible.
  • This dispensing tank also includes a liquid supply intake, provided with a sterile air intake, that is to say in class 100, to allow flow by gravity and a shutter control to allow keep a constant level in this tank and limit the exchange of liquid with air.
  • a liquid supply intake provided with a sterile air intake, that is to say in class 100, to allow flow by gravity and a shutter control to allow keep a constant level in this tank and limit the exchange of liquid with air.
  • 10 are the input buffer storage, 12 the deaerator, 14 the flash pasteurization loop, 16 the saturator, 18 the buffer storage and 20 the filling station.
  • the buffer storage 10, at the inlet, includes a tank 22 which allows the liquid, in this case the fruit drink, to accumulate, in order to be able to absorb the discontinuities of supply while regulating the flow rate through the circuit. liquid processing.
  • the fruit drink is, for simplicity, a composition of water, fruit concentrate and sugar with preservatives if necessary.
  • the liquid is pushed by a pump 24 into the circuit portion 26 which leads it to the deaerator 12.
  • This deaerator comprises a tank 28 with means 30 for depressurizing the tank in order to lower the oxygen content in particular.
  • the oxygen content is important at the end of the juice production because the reconstitution is carried out with vigorous stirring, or process, achieve a rate of ⁇ 1 mg / l of oxygen to take into account any possible subsequent resumption of oxygen during some of the following phases of filling.
  • liquid is precooled before entering the deaerator by a loop 32 of the cold group 34 of the flash pasteurization.
  • This flash pasteurization also comprises a hot group 36 with a circulation pump 38, a loop 40 for exchange with a steam group 42.
  • a three-way valve 44 makes it possible to adjust the temperature while an expansion vessel 46 makes it possible to compensate for the expansion of fluids.
  • the liquid circulated by a pump 48 first passes through an exchanger 50 with a cold loop 52 at the outlet of the deaerator, then immediately afterwards through an exchanger 54 with a hot loop 56 in order to treat the liquid by the heat for a short time and finally through an exchanger 58 with a very cold loop 60, immediately leaving the production of cold to bring the liquid to room temperature.
  • the cold group 34 in fact comprises a buffer tank 62 of cold water, itself cooled by a cold loop 64 with recirculation.
  • a three-way valve 66 for temperature adjustment and a recirculation pump 68 complete the cold group.
  • the liquid after cooling, is sprayed into the top of a tank 70 of the saturator 16 by spraying means 75.
  • This tank is placed under nitrogen overpressure from a storage bottle 72 with a pressure reducing system 74.
  • the liquid saturates with nitrogen.
  • This saturation pressure and the temperature of the liquid are established as a function of the rigidity to be obtained for the bottle after it has been filled and closed with the stopper, rigidity generated by the internal back pressure.
  • the parameters to be taken into account are also the transport and storage conditions, as well as the consumption conditions, the level, sea or altitude, the consumption temperature, ambient or cool for example.
  • a circulation pump 76 allows the saturated liquid to be transferred to a buffer tank 78 subjected to a nitrogen overpressure at the by means of a bottle 80 and a pressure reducer system 82 in order to maintain the degree of saturation previously established.
  • the liquid is then ready to be drawn off for filling using a carousel 108 shown diagrammatically, all of the filling means being detailed below.
  • a final circulation pump 86 returns the overflow liquid, possibly not bottled, towards the start of the device, in the reservoir 22 of the inlet buffer storage.
  • the schematic circuit must, in reality, be carried out according to the requirements of know-how in the field, by limiting the elbows and more generally all the elements liable to cause turbulence or air accumulations preventing satisfactory purging. Such an installation and the corresponding recommendations do not form part of the present invention.
  • Airlocks 88 and 90 allow staff to change before entering the clean room 91.
  • This room is in class 10,000 according to the standard indicated above in the text, with a turbulent flow.
  • the carousels are arranged under two hoods 92, 94, the hood 94 being in class 100, with laminar flow circulation.
  • An annex room 96 allows the plugs to be transferred thanks to a distributor of known type, with an elevator 98 and a supply 100 of said plugs, followed by a rotating bowl 110 allowing the plugs to be positioned in the supply ramp and treatment 101.
  • the hood 92 covers a bottle preparation station 106 and the stopper treatment area and the hood 94 covers the filling / capping station 108 proper.
  • the hood 94 concerning the filling which is the most sensitive area, is supplied with air of class 10,000 which passes through bacterial filters to obtain suitable air and of class 100 quality, this air diffusing at the outlet directly on the frame. of the machine to avoid the gray areas to then be distributed, on the one hand, in the room by small openings and, on the other hand, in the hood 92, concerning the preparation of the bottles.
  • FIG. 3 Reference is usefully made to FIG. 3 for the detail of the stations for preparing the bottles and for filling the prepared bottles.
  • a conveyor 112 transports the empty bottles to feed a carousel 116 by a star 114 transfer. It is during this stage that the bottle is prepared by treatment with ozonated water as a disinfecting agent. This water is prepared in a separate well-known and commercially available production system, so that its representation is of no interest for the present description.
  • ozonated water in this specific case is particularly judicious because it is a very powerful oxidant which reacts in aqueous solution with elements of the cell walls, which is the pledge of an excellent disinfection.
  • ozone is eliminated very quickly by vaporization in air, at least with durations compatible with the high throughput rates of the bottles.
  • the concentrations and contact times must be carefully determined according to the health status of the product, in this case the bottle delivered or manufactured on site.
  • the carousel 116 is subjected to an air sweep so that the arrangement of the carousel must be studied to be as transparent as possible to the air flows, in order to generate the least possible disturbances.
  • the air flow circulates from bottom to top because the bottles are rinsed internally and externally then inverted to ensure the emptying of the ozonized water which is contained.
  • the air flow ensures the vaporization of the residual ozone, so that if water remains, it can only be perfectly neutral water.
  • the ozone is evacuated by suction under the hood.
  • a star 118 ensures the return of the treated bottles to the filling carousel 108.
  • the upper part of this carousel is shown in detail in FIG. 5.
  • the carousel includes a dispenser tank 120, of small capacity with mounting of the star filling arms 122, the end of each of the arms carrying a filling spout 124, the operation of these spouts being indicated later.
  • These spouts are of the light depression type and there are provision 126 suction lines for the leveling overflow. These pipes are stitched onto a collecting ring 128, supported by radiating supports 130. An evacuation of the liquid sucked in during the leveling is referenced at 131, it brings the liquid back into the inlet buffer tank 22 (FIG. 1).
  • the dispenser tank 120 is supplied by a liquid supply intake 132, provided with an air intake 134 in vacuum to allow flow by gravity.
  • the beak consists of a ring 136 inside which is located a funnel-shaped membrane 138, made of flexible material such as silicone, as well as a movable head 140 connected to this funnel.
  • This head can take two positions, one in which it closes flow openings 142 and a position in which it releases said flow openings.
  • a seal 144 provided to cooperate in leaktight manner with the opening of the neck of the bottle also ensures the recovery of the mechanical supports of said neck on the head, since, as will be described below, it is the bottle which moves and the beak which remains fixed.
  • a central cannula 146 coaxial with the ring, equipped with a central suction channel 148, is connected to the corresponding overflow pipe 126, while the spout is supplied by the pipe 122 coming directly from the reservoir of distribution 120 ( Figure 5).
  • This cannula carries the flow openings 142.
  • the operation is as follows: the spout is perfectly sealed and a bottle is mounted under the spout until the neck comes to bear on the head 140 of said spout and causes the latter to rise around the cannula, freeing the openings through which the liquid flows by gravity. Simultaneously, the air contained in the bottle is evacuated through the exhaust channel 148. When the liquid arrives at the end of the cannula, in line with the opening opening of the channel 148, the liquid is sucked, this which leads to a very precise upgrade.
  • This operating mode makes it possible to draw air from the bottle and to evacuate it outside the filling area and, more generally, the clean room. Likewise, contact of the liquid with air is minimized.
  • the bottle under the carousel is filled with liquid.
  • the filled bottles should be transferred using a star 150, transfer during which the inerting phase may take place.
  • the inerting is carried out by degassing the nitrogen dissolved in the liquid during saturation. This nitrogen release can allow an accumulation in the area of the liquid-free neck.
  • stoppering / emptying station being referenced 152.
  • This stopper must have previously undergone a treatment identical to that of the bottles, with namely washing with ozonated water followed by rinsing and drying with sterile air 100 in order to remove any traces of ozone.
  • This treatment is carried out during the passage of the plugs in the chute 101.
  • the corks are conveyed by gravity into the feed ramp 101, to be distributed one by one to the heads of the screwdriver 152 thanks to a double star 154.
  • This double star 154 also ensures the transfer of the corked bottles at the outlet of the screwdriver 152 towards the conveyor 112, itself extended by the outlet conveyor 104.
  • the machine of the screwing station must be adapted from the point of view of accessibility, maintenance, lubrication to lead to compliance with the desired ultra-cleanliness.
  • the stopper 156 shown in FIG. 7 includes a tamper-evident ring 158, of known type, and lips 160 and 162 which reinforce the sealing qualities of the plating above the neck of the bottle with the bottom of the stopper.
  • the method according to the invention offers a wide spectrum of applications because, in addition to allowing quality packaging for new containers on the market, it also allows, if necessary, the packaging of liquids in well-known containers such as glass bottles.

Abstract

The method involves treating the beverage to deaeration, flash pasteurisation and saturation with inert gas. The bottles and stoppers are disinfected and rinsed (106) with sterile water followed by forced air drying. The bottles are filled, filled with inert gas and stoppered (152) under a treated air flow. The bottles and stoppers can be treated for disinfection using ozone. The inert treatment gas can be nitrogen.

Description

La présente invention a pour objet un procédé de remplissage de bouteilles notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide, plus particulièrement une boisson aux fruits, ainsi que le dispositif associé.The present invention relates to a method for filling bottles, in particular plastic, with a liquid, more particularly a fruit drink, as well as the associated device.

On conditionne de plus en plus de liquides alimentaires et notamment des boissons aux fruits dans des contenants variés et notamment dans des boîtes métalliques dont le couvercle comprend un opercule venu de fabrication avec ladite boîte et équipé d'un anneau de traction permettant l'ouverture et la consommation du liquide.Food liquids and in particular fruit drinks are being packaged more and more in various containers and in particular in metal cans, the lid of which comprises a cover that comes from the manufacture with said box and equipped with a pulling ring allowing the opening and fluid consumption.

On connaît aussi des emballages en verre qui donnent une parfaite garantie de conservation des qualités organoleptiques des liquides contenus mais qui autorise aussi le remplissage de liquides chauds stérilisés à chaud, provoquant une mise en dépression de l'intérieur du contenant lors du retour à température ambiante.Glass packaging is also known which gives a perfect guarantee of conservation of the organoleptic qualities of the liquids contained but which also allows the filling of hot liquids sterilized while hot, causing a depression of the interior of the container when returning to ambient temperature. .

Néanmoins, on comprend qu'un tel conditionnement pose des problèmes de recyclage car le verre est un matériau dur et que sa fusion entraîne des coûts non négligeables, à moins que les bouteilles ne soient réutilisées directement après nettoyage et traitement, avec une perte de qualité car l'aspect esthétique extérieur est sans nul doute altéré.However, it is understood that such packaging poses recycling problems because glass is a hard material and that its fusion involves significant costs, unless the bottles are reused directly after cleaning and treatment, with a loss of quality. because the exterior aesthetic aspect is undoubtedly altered.

De plus, le traitement à chaud peut modifier les qualités initiales des liquides et surtout un tel procédé se révèle gourmand en énergie, tant pour le traitement du liquide que pour le réchauffage des bouteilles afin d'éviter les chocs thermiques lors du remplissage.In addition, the heat treatment can modify the initial qualities of the liquids and above all such a process proves to be energy-consuming, both for the liquid treatment only for reheating bottles to avoid thermal shock during filling.

La bouteille plastique permet en outre un gain de poids important et une diminution des risques de coupure avec des morceaux de bouteilles en verre dont la fragilité n'est pas à prouver.The plastic bottle also allows a significant weight gain and a reduction in the risk of cutting with pieces of glass bottles whose fragility is not to be proven.

Si de tels contenants donnent satisfaction de façon générale, on a néanmoins cherché à développer un contenant de substitution visant à répondre aux mêmes critères de conservation des liquides, notamment de conservation des qualités organoleptiques, mais en proposant des prix de revient inférieurs.If such containers are generally satisfactory, we have nevertheless sought to develop a replacement container aimed at meeting the same criteria for preserving liquids, in particular for preserving organoleptic qualities, but by offering lower cost prices.

Le développement des contenants en matière plastique s'est essentiellement orienté vers les polychlorures de vinyle mais surtout vers les polyéthylènes, dits PET pour la suite de la description.The development of plastic containers has mainly been directed towards polyvinyl chlorides but above all towards polyethylenes, called PET for the rest of the description.

Ce matériau est produit à de faibles coûts, il est recyclable et il peut être intégré comme étape d'un procédé de remplissage, par fabrication in situ des contenants avec une cadence en accord avec les capacités de remplissage.This material is produced at low cost, it is recyclable and it can be integrated as a step in a filling process, by in situ manufacturing of the containers with a rate in accordance with the filling capacities.

Le procédé de remplissage pose alors un problème car le PET résistant à la température est d'un prix de revient élevé, à cause de la quantité de matière nécessaire à l'augmentation de l'épaisseur des parois.The filling process then poses a problem because the temperature-resistant PET is of a high cost price, because of the quantity of material necessary for increasing the thickness of the walls.

De plus, dans le cas du remplissage à froid, l'épaisseur de la paroi est diminuée ce qui contribue à un gain de matière donc à un gain de prix et à un gain de recyclage ultérieur.In addition, in the case of cold filling, the thickness of the wall is reduced, which contributes to a saving of material, therefore to a saving in price and a saving in subsequent recycling.

Le remplissage à froid présente l'avantage certain de supprimer l'écrasement de la bouteille qui aurait été engendré par un remplissage à chaud. En effet, le refroidissement qui suit le remplissage à chaud provoque une contraction du fluide gazeux présent dans la bouteille qui se traduit par une déformation de la bouteille dite "collapse", lié au fait que la résistance mécanique des parois est trop faible pour résister à la dégression engendrée par la contraction du fluide gazeux.Cold filling has the definite advantage of eliminating the crushing of the bottle which would have been caused by hot filling. Indeed, the cooling which follows the hot filling causes a contraction of the gaseous fluid present in the bottle which results in a deformation of the bottle called "collapse", linked to the fact that the mechanical resistance of the walls is too weak to resist the degression caused by the contraction of the gaseous fluid.

Par contre, si le remplissage à froid permet de supprimer le "collapse" il pose d'autres problèmes car il faut des conditions de remplissage ultra-propres et surtout il faut vaincre les problèmes résiduels d'écrasement de la bouteille sous l'effet des faibles variations de température, et les problèmes de gonflement dus à la fermentation, rendant le liquide impropre à la consommation et qui provoque d'ailleurs le gonflement du contenant.On the other hand, if the cold filling makes it possible to remove the "collapse" it poses other problems because it requires ultra-clean filling conditions and above all it is necessary to overcome the residual problems of crushing of the bottle under the effect of small temperature variations, and swelling problems due to fermentation, making the liquid unfit for consumption and which also causes the swelling of the container.

Pour apporter une solution à ces différents problèmes, il faut se préoccuper des paramètres suivants :

  • a/ environnement,
  • b/ opérateur,
  • c/ traitement du liquide à embouteiller,
  • d/ bouteilles,
  • e/ bouchons, et
  • f/ nettoyage et stérilisation des machines.
    • a/ En ce qui concerne l'environnement, on sait réaliser des hottes en salles blanches avec une propreté de classe 100 selon la norme américaine FD 209 D, c'est-à-dire des atmosphères présentant un nombre maximal de 100 particules de 0,5 micromètres par pied cube, soit 4000 particules pour un mètre cube, avec des circulations d'air sous flux laminaire qui pose des contraintes, ainsi que cela sera expliqué ultérieurement.
    • b/ Pour les opérateurs, il convient de définir, de façon connue, des procédures d'accès. L'établissement d'un tel document récapitulant les consignes et les moyens de contrôle est aisé et ne fait pas partie de la présente invention.
    • c/ Le traitement du liquide pour en assurer la stérilisation est bien connu également puisqu'il s'agit d'une pasteurisation ultra-rapide, à haute température, dite "flash pasteurisation", afin de détruire les bactéries et toute autre faune microbienne indésirable, sans modifier les qualités gustatives du liquide et en conservant les vitamines et les autres composants utiles.
To find a solution to these different problems, you need to be concerned with the following parameters:
  • a / environment,
  • b / operator,
  • c / treatment of the liquid to be bottled,
  • d / bottles,
  • e / plugs, and
  • f / cleaning and sterilization of machines.
    • a / With regard to the environment, we know how to produce hoods in clean rooms with class 100 cleanliness according to American standard FD 209 D, that is to say atmospheres with a maximum number of 100 particles of 0 , 5 micrometers per cubic foot, or 4000 particles for a cubic meter, with air flows under laminar flow which poses constraints, as will be explained later.
    • b / For operators, it is necessary to define, in a known manner, access procedures. The establishment of such a document summarizing the instructions and the control means is easy and does not form part of the present invention.
    • c / The treatment of the liquid to ensure sterilization is also well known since it is an ultra-rapid pasteurization, at high temperature, called "flash pasteurization", in order to destroy bacteria and any other undesirable microbial fauna , without modifying the taste qualities of the liquid and retaining the vitamins and other useful components.

Par contre, il convient de résoudre un autre problème qui concerne la suppression de l'oxygène dans le contenant une fois fermé, oxygène susceptible d'engendrer une fermentation parasite, tout en maintenant dans ledit contenant une pression contrôlée suffisante pour qu'il ait une certaine rigidité.On the other hand, it is advisable to solve another problem which relates to the suppression of oxygen in the container once closed, oxygen likely to generate a parasitic fermentation, while maintaining in said container a sufficient controlled pressure so that it has a some rigidity.

On connaît la méthode de la goutte d'azote liquide qui permet de maintenir le liquide au contact de l'azote gazeux libéré, l'obturation du contenant devant intervenir très rapidement après l'introduction de la goutte d'azote.The method of the drop of liquid nitrogen is known which allows the liquid to be kept in contact with the released nitrogen gas, the closure of the container having to intervene very quickly after the introduction of the drop of nitrogen.

Le recours au gaz carbonique est peu souvent retenu comme solution d'inertage car le gaz carbonique agit sur les qualités organoleptiques du liquide, surtout lorsqu'il s'agit de boissons aux fruits. En outre, étant soluble, l'effet provoqué est contraire à celui qui est recherché car la dépression engendrée conduise au phénomène de collapse.
   d/ Les bouteilles peuvent être fabriquées sur place ou fabriquées en un lieu différent, transportées et convoyées jusqu'à la salle blanche avec un traitement ultra-propre également.The use of carbon dioxide is seldom used as an inerting solution because carbon dioxide acts on the organoleptic qualities of the liquid, especially when it comes to fruit drinks. In addition, being soluble, the effect provoked is contrary to that which is sought because the depression generated leads to the phenomenon of collapse.
d / The bottles can be made on site or made in a different place, transported and conveyed to the clean room with an ultra-clean treatment also.

De tels traitements connus de l'art antérieur recourent à un oxydant puissant, l'acide peracétique, suivi d'un rinçage.Such treatments known from the prior art use a strong oxidant, peracetic acid, followed by rinsing.

On remarque la possibilité de présence d'une faible quantité d'acide au moment du remplissage, ce qui oblige la prise de précautions supplémentaires. De plus, cet oxydant a une action avec un temps d'action qui nécessite souvent une activation par la chaleur.

  • e/ Le problème des bouchons, outre leur étude spécifique concernant l'étanchéité avec la bouteille, est sensiblement identique à celui des bouteilles. Du point de vue du traitement en vue d'un conditionnement, il faut prévoir des conditions ultra-propres.
  • f/ Le nettoyage des machines et la stérilisation sont obtenus par projection d'agents chimiques stérilisant ou par mise en température de l'ensemble de la machine dont les parties constitutives auront été étudiées pour une telle montée en température.
Note the possibility of the presence of a small amount of acid at the time of filling, which requires taking additional precautions. In addition, this oxidant has an action with an action time which often requires activation by heat.
  • e / The problem of stoppers, in addition to their specific study concerning sealing with the bottle, is substantially identical to that of bottles. From the point of view of treatment with a view to conditioning, ultra-clean conditions must be provided.
  • f / The cleaning of the machines and the sterilization are obtained by spraying sterilizing chemical agents or by setting the temperature of the entire machine, the constituent parts of which have been studied for such a rise in temperature.

Dans le cas du mode de réalisation de la présente invention, donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif , la fabrication n'est pas envisagée in situ et les bouchons sont plutôt approvisionnés à partir d'autres lieux avec des livraisons généralement sous double emballage : les bouchons sont dans un sac en film plastique et ces sacs sont stockés dans des cartons ayant subis un traitement.In the case of the embodiment of the present invention, given by way of nonlimiting example, the manufacture is not envisaged in situ and the stoppers are rather supplied from other places with deliveries generally in double packaging: the caps are in a plastic film bag and these bags are stored in cartons that have undergone treatment.

On peut envisager une production en un lieu différent car le stockage de tels produits représente un volume relativement peu important, contrairement aux bouteilles dont le volume, beaucoup plus important, incite à se replier vers la solution de production sur le site de remplissage.We can consider a production in a different place because the storage of such products represents a relatively small volume, unlike bottles whose volume, much larger, encourages to fall back to the production solution on the filling site.

La présente invention a donc pour but de proposer un procédé de remplissage de bouteilles en matière plastique notamment en PET, permettant de pallier les inconvénients de l'art antérieur et notamment de supprimer le collapse et d'éviter toute fermentation après remplissage pendant le stockage avant la vente et la consommation, sachant que l'objectif fixé est une date limite de vente de l'ordre de plusieurs mois, ceci dans des conditions d'hygiène dites ultra-propres.The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a method for filling plastic bottles, in particular PET, which makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and in particular to eliminate the collapse and to avoid any fermentation after filling during storage before sales and consumption, knowing that the target set is a sales deadline of the order of several months, this in hygienic conditions called ultra-clean.

La présente invention a aussi pour objet le dispositif associé qui permet de mettre en oeuvre les différentes étapes du procédé.The present invention also relates to the associated device which makes it possible to implement the various stages of the method.

A cet effet, le procédé de remplissage de bouteilles en matière plastique avec un liquide, notamment une boisson aux fruits, à l'aide d'un carrousel de remplissage, se caractérise en ce qu'il comprend les étapes suivantes :

  • traitement du liquide par une désaération, une flash pasteurisation, une saturation en gaz inerte vis à vis dudit liquide,
  • traitement de désinfection des bouteilles et des bouchons à l'eau ozonée, suivi d'un séchage à l'air traité et forcé, et
  • remplissage, relargage partiel du gaz inerte dissous et bouchage sous flux laminaire d'air traité.
To this end, the process for filling plastic bottles with a liquid, in particular a fruit drink, using a filling carousel, is characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
  • treatment of the liquid by deaeration, flash pasteurization, saturation with inert gas with respect to said liquid,
  • disinfection treatment of bottles and caps with ozonated water, followed by drying in treated and forced air, and
  • filling, partial release of dissolved inert gas and capping under laminar flow of treated air.

Le gaz inerte est de l'azote dans le cas de boissons aux fruits, notamment, et l'air traité est de l'air classe 100.The inert gas is nitrogen in the case of fruit drinks, in particular, and the treated air is class 100 air.

Selon une autre caractéristique, on réalise l'évacuation de l'air contenu dans la bouteille, le remplissage et la mise à niveau par aspiration sous faible dépression, l'air aspiré étant évacué et le liquide aspiré étant ramené en amont du circuit de traitement.According to another characteristic, the air contained in the bottle is evacuated, filling and leveling by suction under low vacuum, the sucked air being discharged and the sucked liquid being brought upstream of the treatment circuit. .

De plus, on limite le contact du liquide avec l'air.In addition, the contact of the liquid with the air is limited.

La présente invention a également pour objet le dispositif de remplissage associé pour bouteilles en matière plastique, qui se caractérise en ce qu'il comprend :

  • un poste de désaération du liquide,
  • un poste de flash pasteurisation,
  • un poste de saturation du liquide avec un gaz inerte vis à vis du liquide,
  • un poste de lavage des bouteilles et des bouchons à l'eau ozonée avec séchage sous hotte en atmosphère traitée,
  • un poste de remplissage des bouteilles par remplissage gravitaire sous légère dépression, et
  • un poste de bouchage avec dégazage du gaz inerte.
The present invention also relates to the associated filling device for plastic bottles, which is characterized in that it comprises:
  • a liquid deaeration station,
  • a flash pasteurization station,
  • a station for saturating the liquid with an inert gas with respect to the liquid,
  • a station for washing bottles and caps with ozonated water with drying in a hood in a treated atmosphere,
  • a bottle filling station by gravity filling under slight depression, and
  • a capping station with degassing of inert gas.

Le poste de désaération comprend une cuve avec des moyens de mise en dépression.The deaeration station comprises a tank with means for placing under vacuum.

Le poste de saturation du liquide comprend une cuve, mise sous pression de gaz neutre vis à vis du liquide à partir d'une source de ce gaz, en l'occurrence une bouteille équipée d'un détendeur, et des moyens de pulvérisation du liquide dans ladite cuve.The liquid saturation station comprises a tank, pressurizing neutral gas with respect to the liquid from a source of this gas, in this case a bottle equipped with a regulator, and means for spraying the liquid. in said tank.

Le poste de lavage des bouteilles comprend des moyens de projection d'eau ozonée sur les parois intérieures et extérieures des bouteilles et des moyens de séchage sous hotte sous flux laminaire d'air traité par filtration en classe 100.The bottle washing station includes means for spraying ozonated water onto the interior and exterior walls of the bottles and means for drying under a hood under laminar flow of air treated by filtration in class 100.

Le poste de remplissage des bouteilles comprend un circuit d'alimentation avec un réservoir distributeur, des bras de distribution, des becs fonctionnant sous légère dépression connectés à ces bras et un circuit d'aspiration indépendant du circuit d'alimentation.The bottle filling station includes a supply circuit with a distributor tank, distribution arms, spouts operating under slight depression connected to these arms and a suction circuit independent of the supply circuit.

Selon un mode de réalisation préférentiel de l'invention, le réservoir distributeur est de petite capacité, donc de petites dimensions, et les bras de distribution sont montés rayonnants de manière à perturber le moins possible le flux laminaire.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distributor tank is of small capacity, therefore of small dimensions, and the distribution arms are mounted radiating so as to disturb the laminar flow as little as possible.

Ce réservoir distributeur comprend aussi une prise d'adduction de liquide, munie d'une prise d'air stérile, c'est-à-dire en classe 100, pour permettre l'écoulement par gravité et une commande d'obturation pour permettre de conserver un niveau constant dans ce réservoir et limiter les échanges du liquide avec l'air.This dispensing tank also includes a liquid supply intake, provided with a sterile air intake, that is to say in class 100, to allow flow by gravity and a shutter control to allow keep a constant level in this tank and limit the exchange of liquid with air.

Le procédé selon l'invention est décrit en relation étroite avec le dispositif associé, cette description étant établie en regard des dessins annexés sur lesquels les figures suivantes représentent :

  • figure 1, une vue schématique de l'ensemble du dispositif avec les différentes étapes du procédé,
  • figure 2, une vue des flux de personnel et des flux de produits lors des traitements des bouteilles et des bouchons ainsi que des différents carrousels notamment de remplissage avec les hottes,
  • figure 3, une vue agrandie des carrousels de la figure 2,
  • figure 4, une vue de détail des hottes,
  • figure 5, une vue de détail du carrousel de remplissage,
  • figures 6A, 6B et 6C des vues du synoptique de remplissage avec un bec de la soutireuse, et
  • figure 7, une vue d'un col de bouteille avec son bouchon après fermeture.
The method according to the invention is described in close relation with the associated device, this description being established with reference to the appended drawings in which the following figures represent:
  • FIG. 1, a schematic view of the entire device with the different stages of the process,
  • FIG. 2, a view of the flow of personnel and the flow of products during the treatment of bottles and corks as well as of the various carousels, in particular for filling with hoods,
  • FIG. 3, an enlarged view of the carousels of FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 4, a detailed view of the hoods,
  • FIG. 5, a detailed view of the filling carousel,
  • FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C of the views of the filling diagram with a nozzle of the filler, and
  • Figure 7, a view of a bottle neck with its cap after closing.

Sur la figure 1, on a référencé 10 le stockage tampon d'entrée, 12 le désaérateur, 14 la boucle de flash pasteurisation, 16 le saturateur, 18 le stockage tampon et 20 le poste de remplissage.In FIG. 1, 10 are the input buffer storage, 12 the deaerator, 14 the flash pasteurization loop, 16 the saturator, 18 the buffer storage and 20 the filling station.

Le circuit fluide ainsi décrit est simplifié pour la bonne compréhension de l'invention mais il se trouve être beaucoup plus complexe dans la réalité notamment si l'on ajoute l'instrumentation et les circuits de by-pass.The fluid circuit thus described is simplified for a good understanding of the invention but it turns out to be much more complex in reality in particular if one adds the instrumentation and the bypass circuits.

Le stockage tampon 10, à l'entrée, comprend une cuve 22 qui permet d'accumuler le liquide, en l'occurrence de la boisson aux fruits, afin de pouvoir absorber les discontinuités d'alimentation tout en régulant le débit à travers le circuit de traitement du liquide.The buffer storage 10, at the inlet, includes a tank 22 which allows the liquid, in this case the fruit drink, to accumulate, in order to be able to absorb the discontinuities of supply while regulating the flow rate through the circuit. liquid processing.

La boisson aux fruits est, pour simplifier, une composition d'eau, de concentré de fruit et de sucre avec des conservateurs si nécessaire.The fruit drink is, for simplicity, a composition of water, fruit concentrate and sugar with preservatives if necessary.

Le liquide est poussé par une pompe 24 dans la portion de circuit 26 qui le conduit au désaérateur 12. Ce désaérateur comprend une cuve 28 avec des moyens 30 de mise en dépression de la cuve afin de baisser notamment la teneur en oxygène.The liquid is pushed by a pump 24 into the circuit portion 26 which leads it to the deaerator 12. This deaerator comprises a tank 28 with means 30 for depressurizing the tank in order to lower the oxygen content in particular.

En effet la teneur en oxygène est importante en sortie de fabrication du jus car la reconstitution est réalisée sous forte agitation, or il faut, selon le procédé, atteindre un taux < 1 mg/l d'oxygène afin de tenir compte des éventuelles reprises ultérieures d'oxygène au cours de certaines des phases suivantes du remplissage.Indeed, the oxygen content is important at the end of the juice production because the reconstitution is carried out with vigorous stirring, or process, achieve a rate of <1 mg / l of oxygen to take into account any possible subsequent resumption of oxygen during some of the following phases of filling.

On note que le liquide est pré-refroidi avant d'entrer dans le désaérateur par une boucle 32 du groupe froid 34 de la flash pasteurisation.It is noted that the liquid is precooled before entering the deaerator by a loop 32 of the cold group 34 of the flash pasteurization.

Cette flash pasteurisation comprend en outre un groupe chaud 36 avec une pompe 38 de circulation, une boucle 40 d'échange avec un groupe vapeur 42. Une vanne trois voies 44 permet d'ajuster la température tandis qu'un vase à expansion 46 permet de compenser la dilatation des fluides.This flash pasteurization also comprises a hot group 36 with a circulation pump 38, a loop 40 for exchange with a steam group 42. A three-way valve 44 makes it possible to adjust the temperature while an expansion vessel 46 makes it possible to compensate for the expansion of fluids.

Le liquide mis en circulation par une pompe 48 passe d'abord à travers un échangeur 50 avec une boucle de froid 52 à la sortie du désaérateur, puis immédiatement après à travers un échangeur 54 avec une boucle chaude 56 afin de traiter le liquide par la chaleur pendant une courte durée et enfin à travers un échangeur 58 avec une boucle très froide 60, en sortie immédiate de la production de froid pour ramener le liquide à température ambiante.The liquid circulated by a pump 48 first passes through an exchanger 50 with a cold loop 52 at the outlet of the deaerator, then immediately afterwards through an exchanger 54 with a hot loop 56 in order to treat the liquid by the heat for a short time and finally through an exchanger 58 with a very cold loop 60, immediately leaving the production of cold to bring the liquid to room temperature.

Le groupe froid 34 comprend en effet un réservoir tampon 62 d'eau froide, lui-même refroidi par une boucle froide 64 à recirculation. Une vanne trois voies 66 d'ajustement en température et une pompe de recirculation 68 complètent le groupe froid.The cold group 34 in fact comprises a buffer tank 62 of cold water, itself cooled by a cold loop 64 with recirculation. A three-way valve 66 for temperature adjustment and a recirculation pump 68 complete the cold group.

Le liquide, après refroidissement, est pulvérisé dans le haut d'une cuve 70 du saturateur 16 par des moyens de pulvérisation 75. Cette cuve est placée en surpression d'azote issu d'une bouteille de stockage 72 avec un système détendeur 74. Le liquide se sature en azote.The liquid, after cooling, is sprayed into the top of a tank 70 of the saturator 16 by spraying means 75. This tank is placed under nitrogen overpressure from a storage bottle 72 with a pressure reducing system 74. The liquid saturates with nitrogen.

Cette pression de saturation et la température du liquide sont établies en fonction de la rigidité à obtenir pour la bouteille après son remplissage et sa fermeture avec le bouchon, rigidité engendrée par la contre-pression interne. Les paramètres à prendre en compte sont aussi les conditions de transport et de stockage, ainsi que les conditions de consommation, le niveau, mer ou altitude, la température de consommation, ambiante ou fraîche par exemple.This saturation pressure and the temperature of the liquid are established as a function of the rigidity to be obtained for the bottle after it has been filled and closed with the stopper, rigidity generated by the internal back pressure. The parameters to be taken into account are also the transport and storage conditions, as well as the consumption conditions, the level, sea or altitude, the consumption temperature, ambient or cool for example.

Une pompe de circulation 76 permet de transférer le liquide saturé jusque dans un réservoir tampon 78 soumis à une surpression d'azote au moyen d'une bouteille 80 et d'un système détendeur 82 afin de maintenir le degré de saturation précédemment établi.A circulation pump 76 allows the saturated liquid to be transferred to a buffer tank 78 subjected to a nitrogen overpressure at the by means of a bottle 80 and a pressure reducer system 82 in order to maintain the degree of saturation previously established.

Le liquide est alors prêt à être soutiré pour le remplissage à l'aide d'un carrousel 108 représenté schématiquement, l'ensemble des moyens de remplissage étant détaillé ci-après.The liquid is then ready to be drawn off for filling using a carousel 108 shown diagrammatically, all of the filling means being detailed below.

Une ultime pompe de circulation 86 reconduit le liquide de trop plein éventuellement non embouteillé vers le début du dispositif, dans le réservoir 22 du stockage tampon d'entrée.A final circulation pump 86 returns the overflow liquid, possibly not bottled, towards the start of the device, in the reservoir 22 of the inlet buffer storage.

Le circuit schématique doit, dans la réalité, être réalisé suivant les impératifs du savoir-faire dans le domaine, en limitant les coudes et plus généralement tous les éléments susceptibles de provoquer des turbulences ou des accumulations d'air interdisant une purge satisfaisante. Une telle installation et les préconisations correspondantes ne font pas partie de la présente invention.The schematic circuit must, in reality, be carried out according to the requirements of know-how in the field, by limiting the elbows and more generally all the elements liable to cause turbulence or air accumulations preventing satisfactory purging. Such an installation and the corresponding recommendations do not form part of the present invention.

Sur la figure 2, on s'intéresse à la circulation des personnels, à la partie approvisionnement en bouteilles et en bouchons ainsi qu'aux différents carrousels de transfert et de remplissage.In Figure 2, we are interested in the circulation of personnel, the supply of bottles and corks as well as the various transfer and filling carousels.

Le système fluide qui vient d'être décrit ci-avant s'intègre en X sur la figure 2.The fluid system which has just been described above is integrated at X in FIG. 2.

Les sas 88 et 90 permettent au personnel de se changer avant de pénétrer dans la salle blanche 91.Airlocks 88 and 90 allow staff to change before entering the clean room 91.

Cette salle est en classe 10.000 suivant la norme indiquée plus haut dans le texte, avec un écoulement turbulent.This room is in class 10,000 according to the standard indicated above in the text, with a turbulent flow.

Au centre de cette salle les carrousels sont disposés sous deux hottes 92, 94, la hotte 94 étant en classe 100, avec une circulation en flux laminaire.In the center of this room the carousels are arranged under two hoods 92, 94, the hood 94 being in class 100, with laminar flow circulation.

Une salle annexe 96 permet le transfert des bouchons grâce à un distributeur de type connu, avec un élévateur 98 et une amenée 100 desdits bouchons, suivi d'un bol rotatif 110 permettent la mise en position des bouchons dans la rampe d'alimentation et de traitement 101.An annex room 96 allows the plugs to be transferred thanks to a distributor of known type, with an elevator 98 and a supply 100 of said plugs, followed by a rotating bowl 110 allowing the plugs to be positioned in the supply ramp and treatment 101.

Les bouteilles vides sont approvisionnées en 102 et sortent remplies en 104.Empty bottles are supplied at 102 and come out filled at 104.

La hotte 92 couvre un poste de préparation des bouteilles 106 et la zone de traitement des bouchons et la hotte 94 couvre le poste de remplissage/bouchage 108 proprement dit.The hood 92 covers a bottle preparation station 106 and the stopper treatment area and the hood 94 covers the filling / capping station 108 proper.

Sur la figure 4, on a représenté les degrés de propreté ainsi que la circulation des flux.In FIG. 4, the degrees of cleanliness as well as the circulation of flows have been shown.

La hotte 94, concernant le remplissage qui est la zone la plus sensible, est alimentée en air de classe 10.000 qui passe à travers des filtres bactériens pour obtenir un air adapté et de la qualité classe 100, cet air diffusant en sortie directement sur le bâti de la machine pour éviter les zones d'ombre pour se répartir ensuite, d'une part, dans la salle par des ouvertures de petites dimensions et, d'autre part, dans la hotte 92, concernant la préparation des bouteilles.The hood 94, concerning the filling which is the most sensitive area, is supplied with air of class 10,000 which passes through bacterial filters to obtain suitable air and of class 100 quality, this air diffusing at the outlet directly on the frame. of the machine to avoid the gray areas to then be distributed, on the one hand, in the room by small openings and, on the other hand, in the hood 92, concerning the preparation of the bottles.

On se reporte utilement à la figure 3 pour le détail des postes de préparation des bouteilles et de remplissage des bouteilles préparées.Reference is usefully made to FIG. 3 for the detail of the stations for preparing the bottles and for filling the prepared bottles.

Un convoyeur 112 transporte les bouteilles vides pour alimenter un carrousel 116 par une étoile 114 transfert. C'est lors de cette étape que s'effectue la préparation de la bouteille par un traitement à l'eau ozonée à titre d'agent désinfectant. Cette eau est préparée dans un système de production séparé bien connu et disponible dans le commerce, si bien que sa représentation ne présente aucun intérêt pour la présente description.A conveyor 112 transports the empty bottles to feed a carousel 116 by a star 114 transfer. It is during this stage that the bottle is prepared by treatment with ozonated water as a disinfecting agent. This water is prepared in a separate well-known and commercially available production system, so that its representation is of no interest for the present description.

Le choix de l'eau ozonée dans ce cas spécifique est particulièrement judicieux car il s'agit d'un oxydant très puissant qui réagit en solution aqueuse avec des éléments des parois cellulaires, ce qui est le gage d'une excellente désinfection. De plus, l'ozone s'élimine très rapidement par vaporisation dans l'air, pour le moins avec des durées compatibles avec les cadences élevées de passage des bouteilles.The choice of ozonated water in this specific case is particularly judicious because it is a very powerful oxidant which reacts in aqueous solution with elements of the cell walls, which is the pledge of an excellent disinfection. In addition, ozone is eliminated very quickly by vaporization in air, at least with durations compatible with the high throughput rates of the bottles.

Les concentrations et les temps de contact doivent être déterminés avec soin en fonction de l'état sanitaire du produit, en l'occurrence de la bouteille livrée ou fabriquée sur place.The concentrations and contact times must be carefully determined according to the health status of the product, in this case the bottle delivered or manufactured on site.

De plus, le carrousel 116 est soumis à un balayage d'air si bien que l'agencement du carrousel doit être étudié pour être le plus possible transparent aux flux d'air, afin d'engendrer le moins possible de perturbations.In addition, the carousel 116 is subjected to an air sweep so that the arrangement of the carousel must be studied to be as transparent as possible to the air flows, in order to generate the least possible disturbances.

Le flux d'air circule de bas en haut car les bouteilles sont rincées intérieurement et extérieurement puis renversées pour assurer le vidage de l'eau ozonée qui est contenue.The air flow circulates from bottom to top because the bottles are rinsed internally and externally then inverted to ensure the emptying of the ozonized water which is contained.

C'est à ce stade que le flux d'air assure la vaporisation de l'ozone résiduel, si bien que s'il subsiste de l'eau, il ne peut s'agir que d'eau parfaitement neutre. L'ozone est évacué par aspiration sous la hotte.It is at this stage that the air flow ensures the vaporization of the residual ozone, so that if water remains, it can only be perfectly neutral water. The ozone is evacuated by suction under the hood.

Les dispositifs de rinçage de bouteilles sont bien connus et ne nécessitent pas de description particulière.The devices for rinsing bottles are well known and do not require any particular description.

Une étoile 118 assure la reprise des bouteilles traitées vers le carrousel de remplissage 108. La partie haute de ce carrousel est représentée en détail sur la figure 5.A star 118 ensures the return of the treated bottles to the filling carousel 108. The upper part of this carousel is shown in detail in FIG. 5.

Le carrousel comprend un réservoir distributeur 120, de petite capacité avec un montage des bras 122 de remplissage en étoile, l'extrémité de chacun des bras portant un bec de remplissage 124, le fonctionnement de ces becs étant indiqué ultérieurement.The carousel includes a dispenser tank 120, of small capacity with mounting of the star filling arms 122, the end of each of the arms carrying a filling spout 124, the operation of these spouts being indicated later.

Ces becs sont de type à légère dépression et il est prévu des canalisations 126 d'aspiration du trop plein d'égalisation des niveaux. Ces canalisations sont piquées sur un anneau collecteur 128, soutenu par des supports rayonnant 130. Une évacuation du liquide aspiré pendant la mise à niveau est référencée en 131, elle ramène le liquide dans le réservoir tampon d'entrée 22 (figure 1).These spouts are of the light depression type and there are provision 126 suction lines for the leveling overflow. These pipes are stitched onto a collecting ring 128, supported by radiating supports 130. An evacuation of the liquid sucked in during the leveling is referenced at 131, it brings the liquid back into the inlet buffer tank 22 (FIG. 1).

Le réservoir distributeur 120 est alimenté par une prise d'adduction 132 de liquide, munie d'une prise d'air 134 en dépression pour permettre l'écoulement par gravité.The dispenser tank 120 is supplied by a liquid supply intake 132, provided with an air intake 134 in vacuum to allow flow by gravity.

On remarque la grande transparence d'un tel agencement aux flux d'air laminaires, ce qui est vérifiable par des tests de fumée ou par mesure anémométrique au laser, assurant ainsi un bon balayage sans zone d'ombre et en perturbant le moins possible le glissement des couches les unes par rapport aux autres.Note the great transparency of such an arrangement to laminar air flows, which can be verified by smoke tests or by anemometric laser measurement, thus ensuring good scanning without any shadows and disturbing the sliding of the layers with respect to each other.

Les becs en eux-mêmes sont bien connus et l'agencement comme le fonctionnement est décrit en regard des figures 6A à 6C.The spouts themselves are well known and the arrangement as the operation is described with reference to Figures 6A to 6C.

Chaque bec est démontable pour en permettre le nettoyage et il comprend un nombre réduit de pièces. Le bec est constitué d'un anneau 136 à l'intérieur duquel est située une membrane 138 en forme d'entonnoir, en matériau souple tel que du silicone, ainsi qu'une tête mobile 140 reliée à cet entonnoir. Cette tête peut prendre deux positions, l'une dans laquelle elle obture des ouvertures d'écoulement 142 et une position dans laquelle elle libère lesdites ouvertures d'écoulement. Un joint 144, prévu pour coopérer de façon étanche avec l'ouverture du goulot de la bouteille assure également la reprise des appuis mécaniques dudit goulot sur la tête, puisque, comme cela sera décrit ci-après, c'est la bouteille qui se déplace et le bec qui reste fixe.Each spout is removable to allow cleaning and it includes a reduced number of parts. The beak consists of a ring 136 inside which is located a funnel-shaped membrane 138, made of flexible material such as silicone, as well as a movable head 140 connected to this funnel. This head can take two positions, one in which it closes flow openings 142 and a position in which it releases said flow openings. A seal 144, provided to cooperate in leaktight manner with the opening of the neck of the bottle also ensures the recovery of the mechanical supports of said neck on the head, since, as will be described below, it is the bottle which moves and the beak which remains fixed.

Une canule centrale 146, coaxiale avec l'anneau, équipée d'un canal d'aspiration 148 central, est reliée à la canalisation de trop-plein 126 correspondante, tandis que le bec est alimenté par la canalisation 122 en provenance directe du réservoir de distribution 120 (figure 5). Cette canule porte les ouvertures d'écoulement 142.A central cannula 146, coaxial with the ring, equipped with a central suction channel 148, is connected to the corresponding overflow pipe 126, while the spout is supplied by the pipe 122 coming directly from the reservoir of distribution 120 (Figure 5). This cannula carries the flow openings 142.

Le fonctionnement est le suivant : le bec est parfaitement étanche et une bouteille est montée sous le bec jusqu'à ce que le goulot vienne en appui sur la tête 140 dudit bec et provoque la remontée de ce dernier autour de la canule, libérant les ouvertures d'écoulement à travers lesquelles le liquide s'écoule par gravité. Simultanément, l'air contenu dans la bouteille est évacué par le canal d'échappement 148. Lorsque le liquide arrive au niveau de l'extrémité de la canule, au droit de l'ouverture débouchante du canal 148, le liquide est aspiré, ce qui conduit à une mise à niveau très précise.The operation is as follows: the spout is perfectly sealed and a bottle is mounted under the spout until the neck comes to bear on the head 140 of said spout and causes the latter to rise around the cannula, freeing the openings through which the liquid flows by gravity. Simultaneously, the air contained in the bottle is evacuated through the exhaust channel 148. When the liquid arrives at the end of the cannula, in line with the opening opening of the channel 148, the liquid is sucked, this which leads to a very precise upgrade.

Ce mode de fonctionnement permet d'aspirer l'air de la bouteille et de l'évacuer à l'extérieur de la zone de remplissage et, plus généralement, de la salle blanche. De même, le contact du liquide avec l'air est réduit au minimum.This operating mode makes it possible to draw air from the bottle and to evacuate it outside the filling area and, more generally, the clean room. Likewise, contact of the liquid with air is minimized.

On remarque sur la figure 6C la présence d'un godet 136 permettant de nettoyer et de stériliser la tête et, plus généralement, le bec par une circulation fermée.Note in Figure 6C the presence of a bucket 136 for cleaning and sterilizing the head and, more generally, the spout by closed circulation.

La bouteille sous le carrousel est remplie de liquide.The bottle under the carousel is filled with liquid.

Il convient de transférer les bouteilles remplies à l'aide d'une étoile 150, transfert durant lequel peut avoir lieu la phase d'inertage.The filled bottles should be transferred using a star 150, transfer during which the inerting phase may take place.

On remarque le diamètre important de l'étoile 15 de transfert afin de diminuer la vitesse de rotation malgré les cadences élevées, ceci afin de réduire la force centrifuge et les risques de débordement, de renversement et les éclaboussures.Note the large diameter of the transfer star 15 in order to decrease the speed of rotation despite the high rates, this in order to reduce centrifugal force and the risk of spillage, overturning and splashing.

Selon le procédé de l'invention, l'inertage est réalisé par un dégazage de l'azote dissous dans le liquide lors de la saturation. Ce relargage d'azote peut permettre une accumulation dans la zone du goulot libre de liquide.According to the method of the invention, the inerting is carried out by degassing the nitrogen dissolved in the liquid during saturation. This nitrogen release can allow an accumulation in the area of the liquid-free neck.

Il convient alors de boucher la bouteille à l'aide d'un bouchon adapté qui est représenté sur la figure 7, le poste de bouchage/vidage étant référencé 152. Ce bouchon doit avoir subi au préalable un traitement identique à celui des bouteilles, à savoir un lavage à l'eau ozonée suivi d'un rinçage et d'un séchage à l'air stérile 100 afin d'éliminer les éventuelles traces d'ozone.It is then advisable to stop the bottle with the aid of a suitable stopper which is shown in FIG. 7, the stoppering / emptying station being referenced 152. This stopper must have previously undergone a treatment identical to that of the bottles, with namely washing with ozonated water followed by rinsing and drying with sterile air 100 in order to remove any traces of ozone.

Ce traitement s'effectue lors du passage des bouchons dans la goulotte 101.This treatment is carried out during the passage of the plugs in the chute 101.

Les bouchons sont convoyés par gravité dans la rampe d'alimentation 101, pour être distribués un à un aux têtes de la visseuse 152 grâce à une étoile double 154. Cette étoile double 154 assure aussi le transfert des bouteilles bouchées en sortie de la visseuse 152 vers le convoyeur 112, lui-même prolongé par le convoyeur de sortie 104.The corks are conveyed by gravity into the feed ramp 101, to be distributed one by one to the heads of the screwdriver 152 thanks to a double star 154. This double star 154 also ensures the transfer of the corked bottles at the outlet of the screwdriver 152 towards the conveyor 112, itself extended by the outlet conveyor 104.

La machine du poste de vissage doit être adaptée du point de vue accessibilité, entretien, graissage pour conduire au respect de l'ultra-propreté recherchée.The machine of the screwing station must be adapted from the point of view of accessibility, maintenance, lubrication to lead to compliance with the desired ultra-cleanliness.

Une fois le bouchon vissé, les étapes selon le procédé sont terminées et la bouteille peut être évacuée par le convoyeur 112.Once the cap is screwed on, the steps according to the process are completed and the bottle can be evacuated by the conveyor 112.

Le bouchon 156 représenté sur la figure 7, comprend un anneau d'inviolabilité 158, de type connu, et des lèvres 160 et 162 qui viennent renforcer les qualités d'étanchéité du plaquage du dessus du goulot de la bouteille avec le fond du bouchon.The stopper 156 shown in FIG. 7 includes a tamper-evident ring 158, of known type, and lips 160 and 162 which reinforce the sealing qualities of the plating above the neck of the bottle with the bottom of the stopper.

Le procédé selon l'invention permet :

  • d'une part, de traiter le liquide par désaération et saturation en azote, ce qui a pour double conséquence d'améliorer la stabilité du produit et le contrôle de la raideur du contenant, et
  • d'autre part, de traiter la bouteille et le bouchon à l'ozone, ce qui a pour double conséquence de désinfecter et de ne laisser aucune trace.
The method according to the invention allows:
  • on the one hand, to treat the liquid by deaeration and saturation with nitrogen, which has the double consequence of improving the stability of the product and the control of the stiffness of the container, and
  • on the other hand, to treat the bottle and the cap with ozone, which has the double consequence of disinfecting and leaving no trace.

On remarque également que le procédé trouve un intérêt tout particulier pour une application à des bouteilles en matière plastique remplies de jus de fruit mais qu'il est néanmoins tout à fait applicable aux contenants en verre et à la mise en bouteilles d'autres liquides alimentaires qui doivent être conditionnés de façon ultra-propres et à froid.It is also noted that the method is of particular interest for application to plastic bottles filled with fruit juice but that it is nevertheless entirely applicable to glass containers and to the bottling of other food liquids. which must be packaged in an ultra-clean and cold manner.

Le procédé selon l'invention offre un spectre d'applications large car, en plus de permettre des conditionnements de qualité pour des contenants nouveaux sur le marché, il permet si nécessaire de conditionner des liquides dans des contenants bien connus comme les bouteilles en verre.The method according to the invention offers a wide spectrum of applications because, in addition to allowing quality packaging for new containers on the market, it also allows, if necessary, the packaging of liquids in well-known containers such as glass bottles.

Claims (14)

Procédé de remplissage de bouteilles notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide, plus particulièrement une boisson aux fruits, à l'aide d'un carrousel de remplissage, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend les étapes suivantes, prises en combinaison et non nécessairement dans l'ordre indiqué : - traitement du liquide par une désaération, une flash pasteurisation, une saturation en gaz inerte vis à vis dudit liquide, - traitement de désinfection des bouteilles et des bouchons et/ou d'un rinçage à l'eau stérile à l'eau, suivi d'un séchage à l'air traité et forcé, et - remplissage, relargage du gaz inerte dissous et bouchage sous flux laminaire d'air traité. Method for filling bottles, in particular of plastic, with a liquid, more particularly a fruit drink, using a filling carousel, characterized in that it comprises the following stages, taken in combination and not necessarily in the 'order indicated: treatment of the liquid by deaeration, flash pasteurization, saturation with inert gas with respect to said liquid, - disinfection treatment for bottles and corks and / or rinsing with sterile water with water, followed by drying in treated and forced air, and - filling, release of dissolved inert gas and capping under laminar flow of treated air. Procédé de remplissage de bouteilles, notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide, selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le traitement de désinfection des bouteilles et des bouchons est un traitement à l'eau ozonée.Method for filling bottles, in particular plastic with a liquid, according to claim 1, characterized in that the disinfection treatment of the bottles and the stoppers is a treatment with ozonated water. Procédé de remplissage de bouteilles notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le gaz inerte est de l'azote.Method for filling bottles, in particular of plastic, with a liquid according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inert gas is nitrogen. Procédé de remplissage de bouteilles notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que l'air traité est de l'air classe 100.Method for filling bottles, in particular plastic bottles, with a liquid according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the treated air is class 100 air. Procédé de remplissage de bouteilles notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'on réalise l'évacuation de l'air contenu dans la bouteille, le remplissage et la mise à niveau par aspiration sous faible dépression, l'air aspiré étant évacué hors de la zone de remplissage et le liquide aspiré étant ramené en amont du circuit de traitement.Method for filling bottles, in particular plastic bottles, with a liquid according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air contained in the bottle is evacuated, filling and leveling by suction under low vacuum, the sucked air being evacuated from the filling area and the sucked liquid being brought upstream of the treatment circuit. Procédé de remplissage de bouteilles notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, lors du remplissage, on limite le contact du liquide avec l'air.Method for filling bottles, in particular plastic bottles, with a liquid according to any one of the claims above, characterized in that, during filling, the contact of the liquid with the air is limited. Dispositif de remplissage de bouteilles notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide permettant la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend : - un poste (12) de désaération du liquide, - un poste (14) de flash pasteurisation, - un poste (16) de saturation du liquide avec un gaz inerte stérile vis à vis du liquide, - un poste (106) de lavage des bouteilles et des bouchons avec un désinfectant liquide avec séchage sous hotte en atmosphère traitée, - un poste (108) de remplissage des bouteilles, de préférence par remplissage gravitaire sous légère dépression, et - un poste (150) de relargage du gaz inerte, et - un poste (152) de bouchage. Device for filling bottles, in particular plastic, with a liquid allowing the process according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to be carried out, characterized in that it comprises: - a station (12) for deaerating the liquid, - a flash pasteurization station (14), a station (16) for saturating the liquid with a sterile inert gas with respect to the liquid, - a station (106) for washing bottles and caps with a liquid disinfectant with drying under a hood in a treated atmosphere, a station (108) for filling the bottles, preferably by gravity filling under slight depression, and - a station (150) for the release of inert gas, and - A stopper station (152). Dispositif de remplissage de bouteilles, notamment en matière plastique, avec un liquide, selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que le poste (106) de lavage des bouteilles et des bouchons est un poste de lavage à l'eau ozonée.Device for filling bottles, in particular made of plastic, with a liquid, according to claim 7, characterized in that the station (106) for washing the bottles and stoppers is a station for washing with ozonated water. Dispositif de remplissage de bouteilles notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide selon la revendication 7 ou 8, caractérisé en ce que le poste (12) de désaération comprend un cuve (28) avec des moyens de mise en dépression (30).Device for filling bottles, in particular of plastic, with a liquid according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the deaeration station (12) comprises a tank (28) with means for placing under vacuum (30). Dispositif de remplissage de bouteilles notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide selon l'une des revendications 7, 8 ou 9, caractérisé en ce que le poste (16) de saturation du liquide comprend une cuve (70), mise sous pression de gaz neutre vis à vis du liquide à partir d'une source (72) de ce gaz, équipée d'un détendeur (74), et des moyens de pulvérisation (75) du liquide dans ladite cuve.Device for filling bottles, in particular plastic, with a liquid according to one of claims 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that the station (16) for saturating the liquid comprises a tank (70), pressurized with neutral gas with respect to the liquid from a source (72) of this gas, equipped with a regulator (74), and means for spraying (75) the liquid into said tank. Dispositif de remplissage de bouteilles notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 10, caractérisé en ce que le poste (106) de lavage des bouteilles comprend des moyens de projection d'eau ozonée sur les parois intérieures et extérieures des bouteilles et des moyens de séchage sous hotte avec extraction de l'ozone libéré.Device for filling bottles, in particular plastic, with a liquid according to any one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the bottle washing station (106) comprises means for spraying ozonated water onto the interior walls and exterior bottles and means of drying under hood with extraction of the released ozone. Dispositif de remplissage de bouteilles notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 11, caractérisé en ce que le poste (108) de remplissage des bouteilles comprend un circuit d'alimentation avec un réservoir distributeur (120), des bras (122) de distribution, des becs (124) fonctionnant sous légère dépression connectés à ces bras et un circuit d'aspiration (126, 128, 131) indépendant du circuit d'alimentation.Device for filling bottles, in particular plastic, with a liquid according to any one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the station (108) for filling the bottles comprises a supply circuit with a distributor tank (120), distribution arms (122), spouts (124) operating under slight depression connected to these arms and a suction circuit (126, 128, 131) independent of the supply circuit. Dispositif de remplissage de bouteilles notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que le réservoir distributeur (120) est de petites dimensions et en ce que les bras (122) de distribution sont montés rayonnants de manière à perturber le moins possible le flux laminaire et de limiter la surface d'échange du liquide.Device for filling bottles, in particular of plastic, with a liquid according to claim 12, characterized in that the distributor tank (120) is of small dimensions and in that the distribution arms (122) are mounted radiant so as to disturb the laminar flow as little as possible and limit the exchange surface of the liquid. Dispositif de remplissage de bouteilles notamment en matière plastique avec un liquide selon la revendication 12 ou 13, caractérisé en ce que le réservoir distributeur (120) comprend une prise d'adduction (132) de liquide, munie d'une prise d'air (134) stérile pour permettre l'écoulement par gravité.Device for filling bottles, in particular of plastic, with a liquid according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the distributor tank (120) comprises a liquid intake connection (132) provided with an air intake ( 134) sterile to allow flow by gravity.
EP96450017A 1995-06-30 1996-06-27 Process and apparatus for filling bottles, in particular plastic bottles, with liquid Expired - Lifetime EP0755897B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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FR9508146A FR2736041B1 (en) 1995-06-30 1995-06-30 METHOD FOR FILLING A BOTTLE, PARTICULARLY IN PLASTIC MATERIAL, WITH A LIQUID AND ASSOCIATED DEVICE
FR9508146 1995-06-30

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EP0755897A1 true EP0755897A1 (en) 1997-01-29
EP0755897B1 EP0755897B1 (en) 1998-10-28

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DE (1) DE69600864T2 (en)
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FR2736041B1 (en) 1997-08-29
FR2736041A1 (en) 1997-01-03
US5720148A (en) 1998-02-24
ES2126373T3 (en) 1999-03-16
DE69600864T2 (en) 1999-06-10
EP0755897B1 (en) 1998-10-28
DE69600864D1 (en) 1998-12-03

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