EP0785134B1 - Method and apparatus for sanitizing filling machines and systems, particularly for food products - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for sanitizing filling machines and systems, particularly for food products Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0785134B1
EP0785134B1 EP96202989A EP96202989A EP0785134B1 EP 0785134 B1 EP0785134 B1 EP 0785134B1 EP 96202989 A EP96202989 A EP 96202989A EP 96202989 A EP96202989 A EP 96202989A EP 0785134 B1 EP0785134 B1 EP 0785134B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling
collection
liquid
sanitizing
drainage
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP96202989A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0785134A2 (en
EP0785134A3 (en
Inventor
Mariano Bertolaso
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gruppo Bertolaso SpA
Original Assignee
Gruppo Bertolaso SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gruppo Bertolaso SpA filed Critical Gruppo Bertolaso SpA
Publication of EP0785134A2 publication Critical patent/EP0785134A2/en
Publication of EP0785134A3 publication Critical patent/EP0785134A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0785134B1 publication Critical patent/EP0785134B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method for sanitizing filling machines and systems, in particular for food products, for the purpose of reducing the microbic load, and to the apparatus used for implementing this method.
  • the machines used for filling bottles and cans with food products are usually of the vacuum-operated type and are completely automated.
  • a device creates the vacuum in the container into which the product is to be drawn after flowing from the main source to the machine reservoir which is mounted above the filling section.
  • the liquid volume in the reservoir is controlled by a float or by suitable probes.
  • the containers are lifted towards the filling cocks on discs operated by cams, and are made to adhere hermetically against the rubber rings of the cocks, the air present in them being gradually expelled via a vent pipe on applying the vacuum.
  • US-A-4 024 896 discloses a method for cleaning filling machines comprising the steps of sliding a plurality of drainage means to become coaxial with the cocks, lowering the cocks so as to press them against the drainage means and feeding chemical sanitizer liquid into said cocks of the filling system.
  • the total duration of the treatment depends on the initial concentration of microbes and contaminant substances present at a certain moment in the system, and which as they accumulate at each filling cycle multiply the undesirable presence of bacteria within the food product.
  • said duration depends on the degree of final microbe and bacteria concentration (in the sense of being evaluated after container filling) allowed by current national and international laws concerning food contamination.
  • a further drawback of traditional sanitizing methods is that during treatment, liquid losses frequently occur through the pipes of the filling section and in particular through the cock, because of seal imperfections or undesired leakages from the drain pipe connected to the reservoir. This results in considerable operating costs and high concentrations of contaminating emissions.
  • An object of the present invention is to indicate a method for sanitizing filling machines and systems, in particular for food products, which overcomes the aforesaid drawbacks.
  • a further object of the present invention is to carry out a sanitizing apparatus implementing said method.
  • a further object of the present invention is to completely automate the method so that the user can program and/or vary all the main operating parameters (commencement and interruption of the wash cycle, duration, quantity and quality of the chemical product to be used, liquid pressure within the pipes, liquid drainage rate from the system).
  • a further object of the present invention is to achieve an operating cost for said apparatus which is substantially less than in the known art, and further to achieve a lesser chemical contamination of the surrounding environment (compared with the known art) by the liquid used for the microbicide treatment.
  • the apparatus of the present invention comprises for the chemical sanitizer liquid at least one collection and drainage device, which is attached to a fixing pin at the base of the filling machine and is inserted (by the operation, at the moment the wash cycle starts, of two actuator cylinders mounted on the base and connected to a ring gear carrying said device) between each filling cock and the relative container support disc, to simulate a false bottle to be filled.
  • the collection and drainage device for the sanitizer liquid comprises a hollow cylinder, into which there flows the chemical wash product, a retention disc arranged to hermetically seal the device when it comes into contact with the cock of the filling section, and a movable piston arranged to close the cylinder (and simultaneously open the inlet valve for the sanitizer liquid) during liquid circulation, and arranged to open the cylinder during liquid drainage from the system.
  • Figures 1 and 2 relate to a rest state immediately preceding the commencement of treatment.
  • Figures 3 and 4 relate to a subsequent state in which the sanitizing treatment has commenced and the collection and drainage devices are aligned with the respective filling cocks.
  • Figure 5 shows the next state, in which the filling sections have been lowered until the filling cocks adhere hermetically to the top of the collection and drainage devices.
  • Figures 6 and 7 show the next stage in which the container support discs urge the pistons of the collection and drainage devices to close the device cylinders and open the inlet valves for the chemical sanitizer liquid.
  • Figure 8 represents the final state with the sanitizing treatment completed, in which the filling cocks have been withdrawn from the collection and drainage devices and the device pistons have opened the cylinders and closed the chemical liquid inlet valves, to allow complete drainage of the bacterial residues and contaminating substances, which leave the bottom of the collection devices.
  • the reference numeral 11 indicates overall the food product filling system, and 111 indicates one of the filling machines forming part of the system 11.
  • the reference numerals given hereinafter together with the description of operation of the apparatus implementing the method of the present invention relate to one of the filling machines 111 of the filling system 11 per reasons of simplicity and clarity of description.
  • the reference numeral 10 indicates the base of the filling machine 111
  • 20 indicates two pneumatic operating cylinders which rotate a ring gear 30 connected to a plurality of collection and drainage devices 70 for the chemical sanitizer liquid of the system 11.
  • these figures show four collection and drainage devices 70 for simplicity and by way of non-limiting example. These are however provided in the same number as the number of filling machines 111 forming part of the system 11.
  • Each device 70 comprises a pinion 40 adjacent to the ring gear 30, a pin 21 for its fixing to the base 10, a swivel arm 19 and a liquid collection and drainage means in the form of a container to simulate the bottle to be filled during the sanitizing of the system 11.
  • said means 60 will be known as the false bottle.
  • the reference numeral 17 indicates schematically the mechanism for moving the filling section 14 of the machine 111 (this movement being obtained by trapezium-threaded screws, not shown), 12 indicates the feed pipes for the food products and for the electronic connections required for controlling the level 25 reached in the annular reservoir 13, 70 indicates overall the collection and drainage device for the sanitizer liquid, and 80 indicates a pneumatic cylinder which, by means of an arm 90 (welded by microfusion) and a support 232, moves the disc 23 on which the containers to be filled rest.
  • the filling section 14 comprises an outer feed pipe 16 for the food product, an air vent pipe 15 and a filling cock 39 provided with a retention ring 28 and a gasket 29, these hermetically sealing the top of the false bottle 60.
  • a drain pipe 18 for the food product is connected to the reservoir 13.
  • the collection and drainage device 70 for the chemical liquid comprises the pinion 40 mounted on an idle pin 21 used for its fixing to the base 10 of the machine 111, while the false bottle 60 consists of two hollow concentric cylinders 32, 33 which slide one within the other by means of two springs 27 and support a disc 31.
  • the described filling system uses an electronic control arrangement consisting of sensor devices, actuator devices and a suitable control program, so that the operating parameters can be freely chosen and varied within ranges predetermined by the user, using the keyboard of an electronic processor.
  • the apparatus which implements the sanitizing method of the present invention operates substantially as follows: the treatment initiation command is given after the normal operating cycle of the filling system 11 has been interrupted and the containers are no longer present on the discs 23.
  • the actuator cylinders 20 are provided with control microswitches providing a pneumatic rotation command which moves the cylinder 20 into its working position from its rest position. The rotation is fixed and is determined by the limit switches on the cylinders 20.
  • the mover mechanism 17 slides the filling section 14 in the direction of the arrow D of Figure 5, together with the cock 39, which is pressed hermetically against the top of the false bottle 60 via the ring 28, the gasket 29 and the springs 27.
  • the feed pipe is then lowered, via an aperture in the cock 39 and disc 31, into the cavity 37 within the cylinder 32, while the piston 34 adheres to the inner walls of the cylinder 32, supported by the springs 35.
  • the pipe 16 is inserted into the cavity 37 in such a manner that between the top of the piston 34 and the lower end of the pipe 16 there is left an empty cup-shaped space 26.
  • the next stage of the method comprises feeding the chemical sanitizer liquid through the valve 24 (positioned to the side of and above the cock 39 ), which is opened at the moment in which the piston 34 is made to slide within the cylinder 32 by means of the springs 35, in the direction of the arrow E of Figure 6, by the movement of the pneumatic cylinder 80 which, by means of the arm 90 and the support 232, urges the disc 23 into contact with the piston 34, with the result that the disc 31 of the false bottle 60 is squeezed against the cock 39.
  • said movement of the cylinder 80 is the same movement which also occurs during the container filling cycles, when they are brought into contact with the cock 39 by the disc 23.
  • the liquid inlet valve 24 On termination of the sanitizing method in question (its duration can be programmed by the user and depends on the type of food product used and the type of contamination produced), the liquid inlet valve 24 is closed, the mover mechanism 17 returns the filling section 14 to its rest position, such that the cock 39 moves in the direction of the arrow L of Figure 8 to withdraw from the disc 31 of the false bottle 60, and the cylinder 80 lowers to withdraw the support 232 and the disc 23 and release the piston 34 which, because of the fact that the springs 35 are released, is extracted from the cavity 37 of the cylinder 32. This latter movement causes the residues present in the cup 26 to be discharged to the outside along the cavity 55 of the piston 34, in the direction of the arrow M of Figure 8.
  • This total drainage of the cup 26 makes the sanitizing treatment particularly efficient, because the complete washing of the parts subject to contamination by bacteria is supplemented by a second wash, determined by the velocity of the liquid leaving the cup 26 and entraining all the residues with it, to achieve a high level of purity of the entire system 11.
  • the drainage cup 26 for the sanitizer liquid has a smaller outlet cross-section than the known art (liquid drainage currently takes place only at the level of the reservoir via the pipe 18), and hence the velocity of the outlet liquid is greater, with the result that it is easier to eliminate any incrustation formed in the pipes 15, 16 and in the reservoir 13.
  • they include: a greater effectiveness of washing and of removal of incrustation, microbes and contaminants compared with the known art for equal pressures of the chemical liquid fed into the machine pipes; a smaller loss of contaminant chemical liquid compared with the known art, during sanitizing treatment; a shorter working cycle compared with the known art, for the same food product used; operator safety against undesirable splashing or leakage of liquid during the sanitizing treatment; compliance - with current national and international regulations regarding the emission of contaminants and the presence of microbes, bacteria, impurities and contaminants within food products; facility for completely automating the sanitizing process, so that the variables concerned (activation, deactivation, duration, quantity and type of liquid) can be chosen and programmed by the user via a keyboard.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
  • Fertilizers (AREA)
  • Coloring Foods And Improving Nutritive Qualities (AREA)
  • Food Preservation Except Freezing, Refrigeration, And Drying (AREA)
  • Seeds, Soups, And Other Foods (AREA)
EP96202989A 1996-01-16 1996-10-26 Method and apparatus for sanitizing filling machines and systems, particularly for food products Expired - Lifetime EP0785134B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT96MI000059A IT1281670B1 (it) 1996-01-16 1996-01-16 Metodo ed apparato di sanificazione per macchine ed impianti di riempimento in particolare di prodotti alimentari
ITMI960059 1996-01-16

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0785134A2 EP0785134A2 (en) 1997-07-23
EP0785134A3 EP0785134A3 (en) 1997-12-10
EP0785134B1 true EP0785134B1 (en) 2001-12-05

Family

ID=11372914

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96202989A Expired - Lifetime EP0785134B1 (en) 1996-01-16 1996-10-26 Method and apparatus for sanitizing filling machines and systems, particularly for food products

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0785134B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AT (1) ATE210047T1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE69617620T2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
ES (1) ES2167514T3 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
IT (1) IT1281670B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2342644A1 (es) * 2008-03-17 2010-07-09 Gallardo Ingenieria Del Embotellado, S.L. Equipo de limpieza para una maquina llenadora de botellas.

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19808236A1 (de) * 1998-02-27 1999-09-02 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Vorrichtung zum Belüften von Packungen unter keimarmen Bedingungen
JP4631146B2 (ja) * 2000-10-05 2011-02-16 四国化工機株式会社 充填ノズルの洗浄装置
ES2199009B1 (es) * 2001-02-05 2005-02-01 Danone, S.A. Procedimiento y dispositivo para la esterilizacion de aparatos dosificadores de substancias alimenticias y otras.
ES2216666B1 (es) * 2002-01-30 2006-01-16 Irundin, S.L. Dispositivo de limpieza mejorado para caños de maquinas embotelladoras.
ITPN20040021A1 (it) * 2004-03-19 2004-06-19 Servizi Tecnici Avanzati S R L "impianto di riempimento di bottiglie con valvola di riempimento perfezionata"
US8678239B2 (en) * 2007-07-13 2014-03-25 The Coca-Cola Company Clean in place system for beverage dispensers
ITMI20080672A1 (it) * 2008-04-15 2009-10-16 Ronchi Mario Spa Apparecchiatura automatica per il lavaggio di macchine operatrici e macchina dotata di detta apparecchiatura
DE102008028754A1 (de) * 2008-06-17 2009-12-24 Bernd Hansen Vorrichtung zum Herstellen und Befüllen von Behältern
IT1393974B1 (it) * 2009-04-30 2012-05-17 Gruppo Bertolaso Spa Macchina riempitrice e metodo di sanificazione di detta macchina riempitrice
IT1394804B1 (it) * 2009-07-16 2012-07-13 Gai S P A Dispositivo per la sterilizzazione di macchine riempitrici e macchina riempitrice provvista di tale dispositivo
DE102010027623A1 (de) 2010-07-19 2012-01-19 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Füllvorrichtung für Behältnisse mit Reinigungssystem
DE102011110840A1 (de) * 2011-08-23 2013-02-28 Khs Gmbh Füllmaschine sowie Verfahren zum Steuern einer Füllmaschine
DE102017102852A1 (de) 2017-02-13 2018-08-16 Krones Ag Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt
WO2021213607A1 (en) 2020-04-20 2021-10-28 Sidel Participations Filling device with automatic dummy bottle and method for cleaning the filling device
DE102023132947A1 (de) 2023-11-27 2025-05-28 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Vorrichtung zum Füllen von Behältern und Verfahren zum Betreiben der Vorrichtung

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4024896A (en) * 1975-05-13 1977-05-24 Shibuya Kogyo Company, Ltd. Washing device for rotary filling machine
DE3927402A1 (de) * 1989-08-19 1991-02-21 Holstein & Kappert Maschf Vorrichtung zum reinigen von fuellmaschinen
DE4344614A1 (de) * 1993-12-24 1995-06-29 Ortmann & Herbst Masch Gmbh Getränkefüllmaschine mit CIP-Reinigungsbechern

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2342644A1 (es) * 2008-03-17 2010-07-09 Gallardo Ingenieria Del Embotellado, S.L. Equipo de limpieza para una maquina llenadora de botellas.
ES2342644B1 (es) * 2008-03-17 2011-04-28 Gallardo Ingenieria Del Embotellado, S.L. Equipo de limpieza para una maquina llenadora de botellas.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69617620D1 (de) 2002-01-17
EP0785134A2 (en) 1997-07-23
DE69617620T2 (de) 2002-08-08
ITMI960059A0 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1996-01-16
EP0785134A3 (en) 1997-12-10
ES2167514T3 (es) 2002-05-16
ATE210047T1 (de) 2001-12-15
ITMI960059A1 (it) 1997-07-16
IT1281670B1 (it) 1998-02-26

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