EP1224123A1 - Machine for filling and sealing containers - Google Patents

Machine for filling and sealing containers

Info

Publication number
EP1224123A1
EP1224123A1 EP00968023A EP00968023A EP1224123A1 EP 1224123 A1 EP1224123 A1 EP 1224123A1 EP 00968023 A EP00968023 A EP 00968023A EP 00968023 A EP00968023 A EP 00968023A EP 1224123 A1 EP1224123 A1 EP 1224123A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
packaging
containers
machine
machine according
vacuum
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP00968023A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1224123B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Varlet
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.)
Aptar France SAS
Original Assignee
Valois SAS
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 Valois SAS filed Critical Valois SAS
Publication of EP1224123A1 publication Critical patent/EP1224123A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1224123B1 publication Critical patent/EP1224123B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65B31/022—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas the chambers moving in an endless path
    • 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
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
    • B65B3/16—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles for filling collapsible tubes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a machine and a method for filling and sealing containers such as flexible tubes or rigid tanks provided with a fluid dispenser.
  • the machine defined by the invention therefore finds its application in the field of packaging of fluid products in general, and more particularly of cosmetic or pharmaceutical products such as creams, milks, or even more liquid products.
  • a widely used technique which can be used for insensitive products consists in providing the reservoir containing said product with a so-called "air-less" distribution device, that is to say without air intake: progressively of the product distribution, the volume of the tank decreases correspondingly so that the product is never in contact with the air in the tank.
  • This type of dispensing device is commonly used for products subject to oxidation.
  • Document US 3,006,120 describes an apparatus for emptying air from bags, then filling them with gas and sealing them.
  • Each pocket is brought into a rotating carousel comprising sixteen enclosures each intended to receive a pocket.
  • Each enclosure comprising a bucket and a cover to which is connected an air discharge hose and a gas filling line.
  • Each cover is also provided with a jaw sealing system.
  • lines and sealing systems There are therefore as many lines and sealing systems as there are enclosures, i.e. sixteen exhaust air lines, sixteen gas filling lines and sixteen sealing systems. It is also necessary to break the vacuum in each enclosure to remove the filled and sealed bag and introduce a new bag. This takes time.
  • the product packaged in the pockets that is to say the gas
  • the evacuation of the air has the sole aim of improving the filling in gas, not to preserve gas from the air.
  • the filling gas occupies the entire volume of the enclosure so that there is certainly only gas in the pocket when it is sealed. This is not the case with liquid products.
  • preservatives For very sensitive products, it is also necessary to incorporate preservatives in the product to improve stability, because the product can be in contact with air before packaging.
  • preservatives has an impact on the cost price of the product and may, for some, even cause allergic reactions in the user.
  • the aim of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by defining a machine for packaging sensitive liquid products which makes it possible to reduce, or even eliminate, the preserving agents.
  • the machine must be able to operate at a high rate. It must also be as compact as possible.
  • the subject of the present invention is a packaging machine for filling and sealing containers, said machine comprising a plurality of stations at which packaging operations are carried out using packaging means, the stations comprising at at least one filling station and one sealing station, said machine comprising means of transport for circulating the containers along a path passing through the various stations, the stations being arranged in a enclosure where there is a vacuum.
  • Another visible advantage produced by the invention resides in the fact that the speed of the machine can be accelerated, given that there is no longer any break in the vacuum of air during the filling and sealing step.
  • all the stations are common to all the containers by circulating from one station to another. This is not the case in the device of document US 3 006 120 where each container is placed in an individual enclosure equipped with packaging stations. Once the container is filled and sealed, the enclosure is opened. This is not the case here with a single enclosure housing all the stations. The enclosure does not need to be opened during normal operation.
  • the means of transport are in the form of a rotary carousel equipped with a plurality of receiving means for receiving the containers.
  • the path described by the means of transport therefore forms a loop.
  • the enclosure comprises a vacuum bell which covers said plurality of stations in an airtight manner.
  • the packaging means are subject to the vacuum bell.
  • the bell is provided with an airlock for introducing empty containers and an airlock for ejecting filled and sealed containers.
  • the packaging means comprise hot air sealing means intended to seal flexible containers.
  • This sealing technique by air heating is a known technique in the packaging of products in flexible tubes or envelopes.
  • a paradoxical characteristic of the present invention is that such a technique is used in a vacuum enclosure. While other known techniques, such as ultrasonic welding, induction or heating jaws are more easily conceivable in an enclosure where an air vacuum prevails, since not using air, the technique used in the invention goes against the requirements for vacuum sealing, since hot air is drawn into the enclosure, which would normally break or weaken the vacuum.
  • the air heating technique is advantageous compared to the previously mentioned techniques, because the mechanics are simpler and only heat the internal wall of the flexible container. In addition, it makes it possible to obtain higher rates high. With heated jaws, it is necessary to have three or four pairs of jaws to obtain the same rate.
  • the packaging means comprise crimping means for crimping a dispensing device on the neck of a reservoir.
  • the packaging means comprise latching means for latching a dispensing device on the neck of a container.
  • the vacuum chamber includes an airlock for introducing distribution devices.
  • the machine according to the invention may include a plurality of stations specifically adapted to the packaging of several different types of containers.
  • the reception means can be modular or interchangeable depending on the type of receptacles to be accommodated.
  • the single figure represents a versatile packaging machine produced in accordance with the present invention.
  • the machine model chosen to illustrate the present invention is of the versatile type, namely that it is suitable for conditioning both flexible tubes and rigid tanks.
  • the flexible tubes are filled by the bottom of the tube which is left open to allow filling. Once the product has been introduced into the flexible tube, the bottom of the tube is sealed. This sealing operation of the bottom of the tube is generally carried out by heat sealing. This is why the flexible tubes must be produced with a material capable of softening at a relatively low temperature.
  • the flexible tubes are made of plastic.
  • rigid tanks generally made of glass or metal
  • the filling operation is carried out by the neck of the tank.
  • the tank sealing operation is carried out by fixing the chosen dispensing device. There are several methods of attaching a dispensing device to the neck of a rigid tank.
  • the dispensing device can be crimped or snapped into place.
  • the machine shown in the single figure therefore has a versatile character, since it is capable of processing these two types of packaging.
  • a machine capable of processing only one type of packaging, flexible tube or rigid container can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the machine proposed by the present invention makes it possible to package a liquid to creamy, but preferably creamy, product in the types of packaging described above, from filling to sealing.
  • the packaging steps from filling to sealing takes place in an environment where an air vacuum prevails. Consequently, the packaged product is never in contact with air.
  • the versatile packaging machine has a generally cylindrical shape essentially comprising two parts, namely a lower part forming a base 1 and an upper part formed by a bell transparent 2.
  • the base 1 comprises an outer protective shell of cylindrical shape enclosing an adequate motor capable of generating a rotational movement whose axis 20 passes centrally through the base and the transparent bell 2.
  • the motor enclosed in the base 1 is also equipped with indexing means which make it possible to block the rotation generated by the motorization in predetermined locations.
  • On the axis of rotation 20 is mounted a rotary table 10 of annular shape and of size substantially corresponding to that of the protective shell of the base 1.
  • the rotary table 10 therefore forms an indexing carousel comprising a plurality of buckets for receiving the containers (flexible tubes or rigid containers).
  • Each bucket 101 to 110 is actuated by a raising and lowering cylinder (not shown) located below the rotary table 10 in the base 1.
  • Each bucket under the action of its respective cylinder, is therefore capable of perform a vertical translational movement.
  • the indexing carousel formed by the turntable 10 is only one embodiment of means of transport adapted to circulate the containers. It is of course possible to imagine other versions of means of transport, for example along straight trajectories.
  • a circular path as used in the present invention constitutes only a preferred embodiment for the means of transport necessary for the present invention. Indeed, the movement of all the buckets can be carried out using a single motorization and a single indexing.
  • the base 1 comprising the motorization and its rotary table 10 equipped with its buckets is surmounted by the transparent bell 2 of cylindrical shape which rests in an airtight manner on a peripheral edge 11 of the base 1.
  • the transparent bell 2 and the base 1 together form a vacuum enclosure.
  • a seal for example, can be interposed between the transparent bell 2 and the base 1.
  • the transparent bell 2 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 2a and an annular cover 2b.
  • the vacuum inside the enclosure is achieved by evacuating the air through a vacuum pipe 3 connecting the bell 2 to a vacuum pump capable of extracting up to 2,000 m ⁇ of air per hour.
  • the air pump must also be able to withstand an air supply of the order of a few cubic meters per hour while maintaining a pressure of the order of a few millibars to a few tens of millibars inside the pregnant, for reasons which will be given below.
  • the working pressure of the packaging madtiine according to the invention is therefore situated in the pressure range ranging from a few millibars to a few tens of millibars, preferably ten millibars. At this pressure, it can be considered that the product is not in contact with air.
  • the indexing of the carousel 10 is adapted to stop the rotation of the turntable so that the buckets 101 to 110 remain static for a relatively short period of time in positions defining a plurality with respective associated conditioning devices or instruments packing stations.
  • An individual bucket for example the bucket referenced 101, therefore makes a circular trajectory by making stops at each packaging station.
  • the angular difference between the different buckets 101 to 110 must therefore be strictly equal, since each bucket must pass through all the packaging stations.
  • the conditioning instruments, units or devices provided at each conditioning station are mounted on the transparent bell 2, either on its peripheral wall 2a, or on its cover 2b.
  • Other packaging devices, units or instruments are directly included in the transparent bell 2.
  • the devices provided on the transparent bell 2 are those which are intended to introduce or extract something from the bell.
  • the other packaging devices provided in the container are those intended to act directly on the container.
  • the first packaging device is the introductory lock 21 which is used to introduce the empty containers into the transparent bell 2.
  • the introductory lock 21 is shown schematically with its vacuum door 210 which closes the passage hole of the container.
  • the empty containers therefore enter the bell through this airlock 21 and are positioned in the successive buckets situated just vertically above the introduction airlock 21. This is how the containers are introduced into the transparent bell 2.
  • the rotary table 10 rotates clockwise.
  • the following packaging station corresponds to that where the bucket referenced 106 is positioned.
  • This packaging station does not require a device fixed to the transparent bell 2. It is the packaging station used for orienting the containers again. empty. This orientation of containers is carried out in a simple manner by rotation of the bucket. Once the container is correctly oriented, the turntable again moves a tenth of a turn to the next packaging station.
  • This station includes a filling unit 22 which feeds fluid from a supply line 220. It should be noted that the filling unit is mainly located outside of the transparent bell 2 on its cover 2b . Only the filling tube 221 which enters the container to fill it with product is placed inside the transparent bell 2. Thus, it is not necessary to remove the transparent bell from its base 1 to work on the filling unit mechanism 22.
  • the filling unit 22 can be equipped with a product tracking device which allows the filling tube 221 to rise as the container fills with product. Once the container is filled with a sufficient quantity of product, the indexing motor of the rotary table 10 is activated to bring the bucket to the next station.
  • the flexible tubes are already equipped with a distribution device such as a pump.
  • the bottom of the flexible tube located at the opposite end of the pump is still open because this is where the product is introduced.
  • the flexible tubes with their pump and their open end are introduced through the introduction airlock 21 while being arranged upside down, so that the pump is placed in the bucket.
  • the flexible tubes are then routed to the filling unit 22 where they are filled.
  • the next three posts that we will now detailed are intended for sealing the bottom of the flexible tube.
  • the first conditioning station corresponding to the position of the cup 108 is a heating unit 23 which is used to heat the open end of the bottom of the flexible tube in order to soften it to reheat a heat seal. Therefore, once the filled flexible tube has reached the vertical plumb of the heating unit 23, the bucket cylinder is actuated so as to raise the flexible tube until its open end is engaged on the nozzle. heats the heating unit.
  • the heating unit 23 is a hot air heating unit adapted to draw hot air from the end of the bottom of the tube to soften it. Paradoxically, air is introduced through the heating unit into the enclosure where an air vacuum prevails. This is why the vacuum pump connected via the vacuum pipe 3 must be able to withstand an air supply of a few cubic meters per hour.
  • the supply of hot air delivered through the heating unit is of the order of a few cubic meters per hour at a temperature of 270 to 300 ° C.
  • the heating nozzle is supplied with filtered ambient air. This means that if the air supply to and around the machine is sterile or clean, the probability of having a clean vacuum enclosure is greater.
  • the welding technique used in the versatile machine of the invention namely by air heating, is a known technique in the packaging of products in flexible tubes or envelopes.
  • the air heating technique is advantageous compared to the previously mentioned techniques, because the mechanics are simpler and only heat the inner wall of the bottom of the tube. In addition, it allows higher rates to be obtained. With heated jaws, it is necessary to have three or four pairs of jaws to obtain the same rate.
  • the hot air is supplied with a flow of approximately 1 to 12 m-Vhour, preferably 7 m ⁇ / per hour.
  • the flexible tube is moved to the next packaging station which is equipped with cold sealing jaws 24 adapted to press the one against the other with the open end of the heated bottom wedged between them.
  • This has the effect of applying the heated open end of the tube to itself so as to produce a heat seal. It is therefore essential that the step of pressing the open end of the bottom onto itself takes place shortly after the end has been heated at the heating unit 23.
  • the jaws don't do not rise excessively in temperature and the welding takes place as quickly as possible, there is an internal cooling water circuit to cool them.
  • the flexible tube is sealed.
  • a cutting device 25 intended to cut the end of the bottom of the flexible tube situated beyond the heat seal, this for an aesthetic purpose.
  • Plastic scraps can be ejected from the enclosure by a volume airlock.
  • the filled and sealed flexible tube is then conveyed to its next conditioning station at which it will be extracted from the enclosure through an ejection lock 29.
  • the flexible tube from the station equipped with the cutting device 25 until the ejection lock 29 no longer undergoes any conditioning operation, although it passes and stops at three stations corresponding to the positioning of the buckets 101, 102 and 103.
  • the ejection lock 29 can be a reciprocating airlock equipped with a vacuum door 290.
  • the multipurpose machine is also suitable for packaging rigid containers on which a dispensing device such as a pump must be mounted. Rigid containers, which can be made of glass, metal or plastic, are introduced through the introduction lock 21 while they are not yet equipped with their pump. They are positioned in the buckets with their mouths open upwards.
  • the filled rigid container does not undergo any conditioning operation at the following three stations corresponding to the hot sealing station for flexible tubes.
  • the next station at which the filled rigid container undergoes a conditioning operation corresponds to the positioning of the bucket 101.
  • the bucket is vertically plumb with a pump introduction lock 26 equipped with a door vacuum 260. The pumps are therefore introduced at this airlock 26 and positioned on the neck or neck of the rigid container filled.
  • the filled rigid container then moves to the next station corresponding to the positioning of the bucket 102.
  • the bucket is then located vertically below a crimping or latching unit 27.
  • a crimping unit or a snap-on unit.
  • the fixing of the pump on the neck of the container has the effect of sealing the product inside the container. From this moment, the product contained in the container will no longer have any contact with the air until it is dispensed.
  • the crimping diameter and height can be adjusted from the outside without stopping the machine.
  • the next station is equipped with a unit for injecting nitrogen or filtered air into the metering chamber of the pump in order to avoid product distribution when the valve is placed on the pump.
  • a unit for injecting nitrogen or filtered air into the metering chamber of the pump in order to avoid product distribution when the valve is placed on the pump.
  • the filled container with its pump fixed in a sealed manner is ejected from the enclosure through the ejection lock 29, which is also used for ejecting the flexible tubes.
  • the airlock systems which are preferably alternative, make it possible to move the containers and the pumps from an atmospheric pressure to a pressure of about 10 millibars without difficulty and without affecting the vacuum.
  • the multi-purpose machine according to the invention makes it possible on the one hand to treat several different types of containers (flexible tubes or rigid containers) and on the other hand, makes it possible to carry out resealing and sealing operations in a continuous vacuum of air. This makes it possible to reach high rates, since between each operation, there is no return to atmospheric pressure. All operations are linked in a controlled vacuum atmosphere.
  • the units necessary for the introduction or ejection of the containers as well as the units necessary for filling, heating, crimping or snap-fasting and gas injection are mainly located outside of the pregnant. Thus, it is able to intervene on their mechanism without the need to remove the transparent bell 2. Adjustments on these units can even be made during the operation of the multipurpose machine.
  • the multipurpose machine chosen to illustrate the invention constitutes only one embodiment of the invention. Indeed, a general-purpose machine can be envisaged with more or less conditioning stations, but all working in an enclosure where there is a continuous vacuum of air.

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

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging machine for filling and sealing containers, comprising a plurality of units for performing designated packaging operations using packaging means (21-29), said units comprising at least one filling unit (21) and a sealing unit (23, 24, 27). The inventive machine also comprises transport means (10) for passing the containers through a circuit including the various units. The invention is characterised in that the units are arranged in an airless housing (2).

Description

Machine de remplissage et de scellage de récipients. Container filling and sealing machine.
La présente invention concerne une machine et un procédé de remplissage et de scellage de récipients tels que des tubes souples ou des réservoirs rigides munis d'un distributeur de produit fluide. La machine définie par l'invention trouve donc son application dans le domaine du conditionnement de produits fluides en général, et plus particulièrement de produits cosmétiques ou pharmaceutiques tels que des crèmes, des laits, ou même des produits plus liquides.The present invention relates to a machine and a method for filling and sealing containers such as flexible tubes or rigid tanks provided with a fluid dispenser. The machine defined by the invention therefore finds its application in the field of packaging of fluid products in general, and more particularly of cosmetic or pharmaceutical products such as creams, milks, or even more liquid products.
Les secteurs industriels de la pharmacie et de la cosmétique, entre autres, sont de gros producteurs de produits fluides délicats qui exigent un conditionnement de très bonne qualité. En effet, certains produits sont sensibles ou même réactifs à l'air, à la lumière, à l'humidité, etc. Il est donc nécessaire que le conditionnement de tels produits puissent les protéger de ces environnements dégradants.The industrial sectors of pharmacy and cosmetics, among others, are large producers of delicate fluid products which require very good quality packaging. Indeed, some products are sensitive or even reactive to air, light, humidity, etc. It is therefore necessary that the packaging of such products can protect them from these degrading environments.
Une technique fort répandue et utilisable pour des produits peu sensibles consiste à pourvoir le réservoir contenant ledit produit d'un dispositif de distribution dit "air-less", c'est-à-dire sans reprise d'air : au fur et à mesure de la distribution du produit, le volume du réservoir diminue en correspondance de sorte que le produit n'est jamais en contact de l'air dans le réservoir. Ce type de dispositif de distribution est utilisé couramment pour des produits sujets à l'oxydation.A widely used technique which can be used for insensitive products consists in providing the reservoir containing said product with a so-called "air-less" distribution device, that is to say without air intake: progressively of the product distribution, the volume of the tank decreases correspondingly so that the product is never in contact with the air in the tank. This type of dispensing device is commonly used for products subject to oxidation.
Dans le domaine du conditionnement sous vide, on peut par exemple citer le document GB 246 347 qui décrit un appareil de mise en boîte sous vide. Cet appareil comprend une entrée par laquelle on introduit des boîtes remplies non scellées. Les boîtes suivent un parcours circulaire sur un carrousel rotatif. Sur une partie de ce parcours rotatif, les boîtes sont soumises progressivement à un vide de plus en plus poussé. Il n'est pas décrit de quelle manière les boîtes scellées sous vide sont retirées du carrousel pour les ramener à la pression ambiante. Le but de cet appareil est de sceller des boîtes sous vide sans variation brutale de pression qui amènerait le contenu des boîtes encore ouvertes à être perturbé et de ce fait à se répandre à côté. Le problème du conditionnement de produits délicats n'est pas abordé, puisque le remplissage des boîtes se fait à la pression ambiante hors de l'appareil.In the field of vacuum packaging, mention may be made, for example, of document GB 246 347 which describes a vacuum canning apparatus. This apparatus includes an inlet through which unsealed filled boxes are introduced. The boxes follow a circular route on a rotating carousel. On part of this rotary course, the boxes are gradually subjected to an increasingly high vacuum. It is not described how the vacuum sealed boxes are removed from the carousel to bring them back to room pressure. The purpose of this device is to seal cans under vacuum without sudden pressure variation which would cause the contents of the cans still open to be disturbed and thereby spread alongside. The problem of packaging delicate products is not addressed, since the boxes are filled at ambient pressure outside the device.
On peut encore citer le document US 5 481 851 qui décrit un appareil de mise en boîte de déchets dans lequel des boîtes vides sont introduites dans un carrousel rotatif par une entrée. Les boîtes passent par divers postes où elles sont purgées à l'azote, remplies de déchet, évacuées de leur air, scellées, puis déchargées de l'appareil. Il est clair que le scellage des boîtes se fait à l'air ambiant au niveau de la porte de sortie. L'évacuation de l'air n'a pas pour but de réaliser un scellage sous vide, mais simplement l'extraire l'air de la boîte.Mention may also be made of document US Pat. No. 5,481,851 which describes a waste canning apparatus in which empty boxes are introduced into a rotating carousel by an entry. The boxes pass through various stations where they are purged with nitrogen, filled with waste, evacuated from their air, sealed, then discharged from the device. It is clear that the sealing of the boxes is done in ambient air at the exit door. Evacuation of the air is not intended to achieve a vacuum seal, but simply to extract the air from the box.
Pour des produits plus sensibles dont la conservation est problématique, on a aussi recours à des techniques de conditionnement sous vide d'air. Le réservoir est scellé dans une enceinte où règne un certain vide d'air. On s'assure ainsi que le produit n'est pas conditionné dans le réservoir avec de l'air qui pourrait le dégrader.For more sensitive products whose conservation is problematic, recourse is also had to vacuum air conditioning techniques. The tank is sealed in an enclosure where there is a certain vacuum of air. This ensures that the product is not conditioned in the tank with air which could degrade it.
Le document US 3 006 120 décrit un appareil pour vider l'air de poches, les remplir ensuite de gaz et les sceller. Chaque poche est amenée dans un carrousel rotatif comprenant seize enceintes destinées à recevoir chacune une poche. Chaque enceintes comprenant un godet et un couvercle sur lequel est raccordé une hgne d'évacuation d'air et une ligne de remplissage en gaz. Chaque couvercle est également pourvu d'un système de scellage à mâchoires. Il y a donc autant de lignes et de système de scellage que d'enceintes, soit seize lignes d'évacuation d'air, seize lignes de remplissage en gaz et seize systèmes de scellage. Il est en outre nécessaire de casser le vide dans chaque enceinte pour retirer la poche remplie et scellée et introduire une nouvelle poche. Cela prend du temps. Il est encore à noter que le produit conditionné dans les poches, c'est à dire le gaz, n'est pas un produit délicat, et l'évacuation de l'air n'a pour seul but que d'améliorer le remphssage en gaz, et non de préserver le gaz de l'air. Le gaz de remplissage occupe tout le volume de l'enceinte de sorte qu'il n'y a assurément que du gaz dans la poche lorsqu'on la scelle. Ceci n'est pas le cas avec des produits liquides.Document US 3,006,120 describes an apparatus for emptying air from bags, then filling them with gas and sealing them. Each pocket is brought into a rotating carousel comprising sixteen enclosures each intended to receive a pocket. Each enclosure comprising a bucket and a cover to which is connected an air discharge hose and a gas filling line. Each cover is also provided with a jaw sealing system. There are therefore as many lines and sealing systems as there are enclosures, i.e. sixteen exhaust air lines, sixteen gas filling lines and sixteen sealing systems. It is also necessary to break the vacuum in each enclosure to remove the filled and sealed bag and introduce a new bag. This takes time. It should also be noted that the product packaged in the pockets, that is to say the gas, is not a delicate product, and the evacuation of the air has the sole aim of improving the filling in gas, not to preserve gas from the air. The filling gas occupies the entire volume of the enclosure so that there is certainly only gas in the pocket when it is sealed. This is not the case with liquid products.
Pour des produits très sensibles, il est en outre nécessaire d'incorporer des agents conservateurs dans le produit pour améliorer la stabilité, car le produit peut être en contact de l'air avant son conditionnement. L'ajout d'agents conservateurs a un impact sur le prix de revient du produit et peut même, pour certains, provoquer des réactions allergiques chez l'utilisateur.For very sensitive products, it is also necessary to incorporate preservatives in the product to improve stability, because the product can be in contact with air before packaging. The addition of preservatives has an impact on the cost price of the product and may, for some, even cause allergic reactions in the user.
La présente invention a pour but de remédier aux inconvénients de l'art antérieur en définissant une machine pour le conditionnement de produits liquides sensibles qui permet de diminuer, voire même supprimer, les agents conservateurs. De plus, la machine doit pouvoir fonctionner à une cadence élevée. Elle doit également être le moins encombrant possible.The aim of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by defining a machine for packaging sensitive liquid products which makes it possible to reduce, or even eliminate, the preserving agents. In addition, the machine must be able to operate at a high rate. It must also be as compact as possible.
Pour ce faire, la présente invention a pour objet une machine de conditionnement pour le remplissage et le scellage de récipients, ladite machine comprenant une pluralité de postes auxquels sont effectuées des opérations de conditionnement à l'aide de moyens de conditionnement, les postes comprenant au moins un poste de remplissage et un poste de scellage, ladite machine comprenant des moyens de transport pour faire circuler les récipients selon un chemin passant par les divers postes, les postes étant disposés dans une enceinte où règne un vide d'air. En prévoyant que le remplissage et le scellage sont effectués dans une seule et même enceinte dans lequel règne un vide d'air, on s'assure que le produit à conditionner n'a jamais été en contact avec l'air, de sorte qu'il n'a pas pu être altéré. Le fait de travailler avec le produit à conditionner dans un vide d'air continu permet de réduire la quantité d'agents conservateurs nécessaire à sa stabilité. Non seulement le produit est moins coûteux, du fait de la faible quantité d'agents conservateurs ajoutée, mais en outre le produit le plus pur. Un autre avantage visible produit par l'invention réside dans le fait que la cadence de la machine peut être accélérée, étant donné qu'il n'y a plus de rupture de vide d'air en l'étape de remplissage et de scellage. De plus, étant donné que les postes sont placés dans une enceinte commune, tous les postes sont communs à tous les récipients en circulant d'un poste à l'autre. Ceci n'est pas le cas dans le dispositif du document US 3 006 120 où chaque récipient est placé dans une enceinte individuelle équipée de postes de conditionnement. Une fois le récipient rempli et scellé, l'enceinte est ouverte. Ceci n'est pas le cas ici avec une seule enceinte abritant tous les postes. L'enceinte n'a pas besoin d'être ouverte en fonctionnement normal.To do this, the subject of the present invention is a packaging machine for filling and sealing containers, said machine comprising a plurality of stations at which packaging operations are carried out using packaging means, the stations comprising at at least one filling station and one sealing station, said machine comprising means of transport for circulating the containers along a path passing through the various stations, the stations being arranged in a enclosure where there is a vacuum. By providing that the filling and sealing are carried out in a single enclosure in which there is an air vacuum, it is ensured that the product to be packaged has never been in contact with the air, so that it could not be altered. The fact of working with the product to be conditioned in a continuous air vacuum makes it possible to reduce the quantity of preserving agents necessary for its stability. Not only is the product less expensive, due to the small amount of preservatives added, but also the purest product. Another visible advantage produced by the invention resides in the fact that the speed of the machine can be accelerated, given that there is no longer any break in the vacuum of air during the filling and sealing step. In addition, since the stations are placed in a common enclosure, all the stations are common to all the containers by circulating from one station to another. This is not the case in the device of document US 3 006 120 where each container is placed in an individual enclosure equipped with packaging stations. Once the container is filled and sealed, the enclosure is opened. This is not the case here with a single enclosure housing all the stations. The enclosure does not need to be opened during normal operation.
Selon des caractéristiques techniques de l'invention, les moyens de transport se présentent sous la forme d'un carrousel rotatif équipé d'une pluralité de moyens de réception pour accueillir les récipients. Le chemin que décrivent les moyens de transport forme donc une boucle. En outre, l'enceinte comprend une cloche à vide qui coiffe ladite pluralité de postes de manière étanche à l'air. Avantageusement, les moyens de conditionnement sont assujettis à la cloche à vide. D'autre part, la cloche est pourvue d'un sas d'introduction de récipients vides et d'un sas d'éjection de récipients remplis et scellés.According to technical characteristics of the invention, the means of transport are in the form of a rotary carousel equipped with a plurality of receiving means for receiving the containers. The path described by the means of transport therefore forms a loop. In addition, the enclosure comprises a vacuum bell which covers said plurality of stations in an airtight manner. Advantageously, the packaging means are subject to the vacuum bell. On the other hand, the bell is provided with an airlock for introducing empty containers and an airlock for ejecting filled and sealed containers.
Selon une forme de réalisation, les moyens de conditionnement comprennent des moyens de scellage à air chaud destinés à sceller des récipients souples. Cette technique de scellage par chauffage à l'air, est une technique connue dans le conditionnement de produits dans des tubes ou enveloppes souples. Cependant, une caractéristique paradoxale de la présente invention tient au fait qu'une telle technique est utilisée dans une enceinte à vide. Alors que d'autres techniques connues, telles que le soudage par ultrasons, induction ou mâchoires chauffantes sont plus aisément envisageables dans une enceinte où règne un vide d'air, puisque n'utilisant pas d'air, la technique utilisée dans l'invention va à l'encontre des exigences requises pour le scellage sous vide, étant donné que de l'air chaud est puisé dans l'enceinte, ce qui aurait normalement pour effet de casser ou d'affaiblir le vide d'air.According to one embodiment, the packaging means comprise hot air sealing means intended to seal flexible containers. This sealing technique by air heating is a known technique in the packaging of products in flexible tubes or envelopes. However, a paradoxical characteristic of the present invention is that such a technique is used in a vacuum enclosure. While other known techniques, such as ultrasonic welding, induction or heating jaws are more easily conceivable in an enclosure where an air vacuum prevails, since not using air, the technique used in the invention goes against the requirements for vacuum sealing, since hot air is drawn into the enclosure, which would normally break or weaken the vacuum.
La technique par chauffage à l'air est avantageuse par rapport aux techniques précédemment citées, car la mécanique est plus simple et permet de chauffer uniquement la paroi interne du récipient souple. En outre, elle permet d'obtenir des cadences plus élevées. Avec des mâchoires chauffantes, il est nécessaire d'avoir trois ou quatre paires de mâchoires pour obtenir la même cadence.The air heating technique is advantageous compared to the previously mentioned techniques, because the mechanics are simpler and only heat the internal wall of the flexible container. In addition, it makes it possible to obtain higher rates high. With heated jaws, it is necessary to have three or four pairs of jaws to obtain the same rate.
Alternativement ou additionnellement, les moyens de conditionnement comprennent des moyens de sertissage pour sertir un dispositif de distribution sur le col d'un réservoir. Toujours alternativement ou additionnellement, les moyens de conditionnement comprennent des moyens d'encliquetage pour encliqueter un dispositif de distribution sur le col d'un récipient. Avantageusement, la cloche à vide comprend un sas d'introduction de dispositifs de distribution. La machine selon l'invention peut comprendre une pluralité de postes spécifiquement adaptés au conditionnement de plusieurs types différents de récipients. A cet effet, les moyens de réception peuvent être modulables ou interchangeables en fonction du type de récipients à accueillir.Alternatively or additionally, the packaging means comprise crimping means for crimping a dispensing device on the neck of a reservoir. Always alternately or additionally, the packaging means comprise latching means for latching a dispensing device on the neck of a container. Advantageously, the vacuum chamber includes an airlock for introducing distribution devices. The machine according to the invention may include a plurality of stations specifically adapted to the packaging of several different types of containers. To this end, the reception means can be modular or interchangeable depending on the type of receptacles to be accommodated.
L'invention sera maintenant décrite plus amplement en référence aux dessins annexés donnant à titre d'exemple non limitatif un mode de réalisation de l'invention.The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings which give by way of nonlimiting example an embodiment of the invention.
Sur le dessin, la figure unique représente une machine polyvalente de conditionnement réalisée conformément à la présente invention.In the drawing, the single figure represents a versatile packaging machine produced in accordance with the present invention.
Le modèle de machine choisi pour illustrer la présente invention est du type polyvalent, à savoir qu'elle est adaptée à conditionner à la fois des tube souples et des réservoirs rigides. De manière classique, les tubes souples sont remplis par le fond du tube qui est laissé ouvert pour permettre le remplissage. Une fois le produit introduit dans le tube souple, le fond du tube est scellé de manière étanche. Cette opération de scellage du fond du tube s'opère généralement par une thermosoudure. C'est pourquoi les tubes souples doivent être réalisés avec un matériau capable de ramollir à une température relativement faible. En général, les tubes souples sont réalisés en matière plastique. Quant aux réservoirs rigides, généralement réalisés en verre ou en métal, l'opération de remphssage s'effectue par le col du réservoir. L'opération de scellage du réservoir s'effectue par la fixation du dispositif de distribution choisi. Il existe plusieurs méthodes de fixation d'un dispositif de distribution sur le col d'un réservoir rigide. Par exemple, le dispositif de distribution peut être serti ou encliqueté de manière étanche. La machine représentée sur la figure unique présente donc un caractère polyvalent, puisqu'elle est capable de traiter ces deux types de conditionnement. Bien entendu, il est possible d'envisager, sans pour autant sortir du cadre de l'invention, une machine capable de traiter uniquement un type de conditionnement, tube souple ou récipient rigide.The machine model chosen to illustrate the present invention is of the versatile type, namely that it is suitable for conditioning both flexible tubes and rigid tanks. Conventionally, the flexible tubes are filled by the bottom of the tube which is left open to allow filling. Once the product has been introduced into the flexible tube, the bottom of the tube is sealed. This sealing operation of the bottom of the tube is generally carried out by heat sealing. This is why the flexible tubes must be produced with a material capable of softening at a relatively low temperature. In general, the flexible tubes are made of plastic. As for rigid tanks, generally made of glass or metal, the filling operation is carried out by the neck of the tank. The tank sealing operation is carried out by fixing the chosen dispensing device. There are several methods of attaching a dispensing device to the neck of a rigid tank. For example, the dispensing device can be crimped or snapped into place. The machine shown in the single figure therefore has a versatile character, since it is capable of processing these two types of packaging. Of course, it is possible to envisage, without departing from the scope of the invention, a machine capable of processing only one type of packaging, flexible tube or rigid container.
La machine proposée par la présente invention permet de conditionner un produit liquide à crémeux, mais de préférence crémeux, dans les types de conditionnement décrits ci-dessus, depuis le remplissage jusqu'au scellage. Selon une caractéristique très intéressante de l'invention, les étapes de conditionnement depuis le remplissage jusqu'au scellage s'effectuent dans un milieu où règne un vide d'air. Par conséquent, le produit conditionné n'est jamais en contact de l'air. Afin de préserver l'isolement du produit face à l'air, il est nécessaire de pourvoir les conditionnements, c'est-à-dire les tubes souples et/ou les récipients rigides, avec un dispositif de distribution sans reprise d'air. On s'assure ainsi que le produit n'est jamais en contact de l'air jusqu'à sa distribution par l'utilisateur.The machine proposed by the present invention makes it possible to package a liquid to creamy, but preferably creamy, product in the types of packaging described above, from filling to sealing. According to a very advantageous characteristic of the invention, the packaging steps from filling to sealing takes place in an environment where an air vacuum prevails. Consequently, the packaged product is never in contact with air. In order to preserve the isolation of the product from the air, it is necessary to provide the packaging, that is to say the flexible tubes and / or the rigid containers, with a distribution device without air intake. This ensures that the product is never in contact with air until it is distributed by the user.
En se référant maintenant à la figure unique, on voit que la machine polyvalente de conditionnement selon la forme de réalisation illustrée présente une forme générale cylindrique comprenant essentiellement deux parties, à savoir une partie inférieure formant un soubassement 1 et une partie supérieure formée par une cloche transparente 2. Le soubassement 1 comporte une coque extérieure de protection de forme cylindrique enfermant une motorisation adéquate capable de générer un mouvement de rotation dont l'axe 20 passe de manière centrée à travers le soubassement et la cloche transparente 2. La motorisation enfermée dans le soubassement 1 est également équipée de moyens d'indexation qui permettent de bloquer la rotation générée par la motorisation en des emplacements prédéterminés. Sur l'axe de rotation 20, est montée une table tournante 10 de forme annulaire et de taille sensiblement correspondante à celle de la coque de protection du soubassement 1. L'axe de rotation 20 passe bien entendu au centre de la table tournante 10, de sorte que ladite table tournante est amenée à effectuer un mouvement de rotation sur elle-même imprimée par la motorisation. Du fait de l'indexation associée à la motorisation, la table tournante 10 est amenée à stopper son mouvement de rotation après une course correspondant à une certaine valeur angulaire déterminée. La table tournante 10 est pourvue d'une pluralité de moyens de réception de tubes souples ou de réservoirs rigides sous la forme de godets. Dans la forme de réalisation illustrée sur la figure unique, il est prévu dix godets désignés par les références numériques 101 à 110. Comme il y a dix godets prévus dans le modèle représenté, l'indexation associée à la motorisation doit être adaptée à stopper le mouvement de rotation après une course angulaire de 36°. La table tournante 10 forme donc un carrousel à indexation comprenant une pluralité de godets pour la réception des contenants (tubes souples ou récipients rigides). Chaque godet 101 à 110 est actionné par un vérin de montée et de descente (non représenté) situé en-dessous de la table tournante 10 dans le soubassement 1. Chaque godet, sous l'action de son vérin respectif, est donc capable d'effectuer un mouvement translatif vertical.Referring now to the single figure, it can be seen that the versatile packaging machine according to the illustrated embodiment has a generally cylindrical shape essentially comprising two parts, namely a lower part forming a base 1 and an upper part formed by a bell transparent 2. The base 1 comprises an outer protective shell of cylindrical shape enclosing an adequate motor capable of generating a rotational movement whose axis 20 passes centrally through the base and the transparent bell 2. The motor enclosed in the base 1 is also equipped with indexing means which make it possible to block the rotation generated by the motorization in predetermined locations. On the axis of rotation 20 is mounted a rotary table 10 of annular shape and of size substantially corresponding to that of the protective shell of the base 1. The axis of rotation 20 of course passes through the center of the rotary table 10, so that said rotary table is caused to perform a rotational movement on itself printed by the motorization. Due to the indexing associated with the motorization, the rotary table 10 is brought to stop its rotational movement after a stroke corresponding to a certain determined angular value. The rotary table 10 is provided with a plurality of means for receiving flexible tubes or rigid reservoirs in the form of buckets. In the embodiment illustrated in the single figure, there are provided ten buckets designated by the reference numerals 101 to 110. As there are ten buckets provided in the model shown, the indexing associated with the motorization must be adapted to stop the rotational movement after an angular travel of 36 °. The rotary table 10 therefore forms an indexing carousel comprising a plurality of buckets for receiving the containers (flexible tubes or rigid containers). Each bucket 101 to 110 is actuated by a raising and lowering cylinder (not shown) located below the rotary table 10 in the base 1. Each bucket, under the action of its respective cylinder, is therefore capable of perform a vertical translational movement.
Le carrousel à indexation formé par la table tournante 10 ne constitue qu'une forme de réalisation de moyens de transport adaptés à faire circuler les contenants. Il est bien entendu possible d'imaginer d'autres versions de moyens de transport, par exemple selon des trajectoires de cheminements rectilignes. Une trajectoire de cheminement circulaire telle qu'utilisée dans la présente invention ne constitue qu'une forme de réalisation préférentielle pour les moyens de transport nécessaire pour la présente invention. En effet, le déplacement de tous les godets peut être effectué à l'aide d'une seule motorisation et d'une seule indexation. Le soubassement 1 comprenant la motorisation et sa table tournante 10 équipée de ses godets est surmonté de la cloche transparente 2 de forme cylindrique qui repose de manière étanche à l'air sur un bord périphérique 11 du soubassement 1. La cloche transparente 2 et le soubassement 1 forment ensemble une enceinte à vide. Un joint d'étanchéité, par exemple, peut être interposé entre la cloche transparente 2 et le soubassement 1. La cloche transparente 2 présente une paroi périphérique cylindrique 2a et un couvercle annulaire 2b.The indexing carousel formed by the turntable 10 is only one embodiment of means of transport adapted to circulate the containers. It is of course possible to imagine other versions of means of transport, for example along straight trajectories. A circular path as used in the present invention constitutes only a preferred embodiment for the means of transport necessary for the present invention. Indeed, the movement of all the buckets can be carried out using a single motorization and a single indexing. The base 1 comprising the motorization and its rotary table 10 equipped with its buckets is surmounted by the transparent bell 2 of cylindrical shape which rests in an airtight manner on a peripheral edge 11 of the base 1. The transparent bell 2 and the base 1 together form a vacuum enclosure. A seal, for example, can be interposed between the transparent bell 2 and the base 1. The transparent bell 2 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 2a and an annular cover 2b.
Le vide à l'intérieur de l'enceinte est réalisé par évacuation de l'air au travers d'un canalisation de vide 3 reliant la cloche 2 à une pompe à vide capable d'extraire jusqu'à 2 000 m^ d'air par heure. La pompe à air doit en outre être capable de supporter un apport d'air de l'ordre de quelques mètres cubes par heure tout en maintenant une pression de l'ordre de quelques millibars à quelques dizaines de millibars à l'intérieur de l'enceinte, pour des raisons qui seront données ci-après. La pression de travail de la madtiine de conditionnement selon l'invention est donc située dans le domaine de pression allant de quelques millibars à quelques dizaines de millibars, de préférence dix millibars. A cette pression, on peut considérer que le produit n'est pas en contact de l'air.The vacuum inside the enclosure is achieved by evacuating the air through a vacuum pipe 3 connecting the bell 2 to a vacuum pump capable of extracting up to 2,000 m ^ of air per hour. The air pump must also be able to withstand an air supply of the order of a few cubic meters per hour while maintaining a pressure of the order of a few millibars to a few tens of millibars inside the pregnant, for reasons which will be given below. The working pressure of the packaging madtiine according to the invention is therefore situated in the pressure range ranging from a few millibars to a few tens of millibars, preferably ten millibars. At this pressure, it can be considered that the product is not in contact with air.
L'indexation du carrousel 10 est adapté à stopper la rotation de la table tournante de manière à ce que les godets 101 à 110 restent statiques pendant un laps de temps relativement court en des positions définissant avec des dispositifs ou instruments de conditionnement associés respectifs une pluralité de postes de conditionnement. Un godet pris individuellement, par exemple le godet référencé 101, effectue donc une trajectoire circulaire en faisant des arrêts au niveau de chaque poste de conditionnement. L'écart angulaire entre les différents godets 101 à 110 doit donc être strictement égal, étant donné que chaque godet doit passer par tous les postes de conditionnement.The indexing of the carousel 10 is adapted to stop the rotation of the turntable so that the buckets 101 to 110 remain static for a relatively short period of time in positions defining a plurality with respective associated conditioning devices or instruments packing stations. An individual bucket, for example the bucket referenced 101, therefore makes a circular trajectory by making stops at each packaging station. The angular difference between the different buckets 101 to 110 must therefore be strictly equal, since each bucket must pass through all the packaging stations.
Les instruments, unités ou dispositifs de conditionnement prévus à chaque poste de conditionnement sont montés sur la cloche transparente 2, soit sur sa paroi périphérique 2a, soit sur son couvercle 2b. D'autres dispositifs, unités ou instruments de conditionnement sont directement inclus dans la cloche transparente 2. Les dispositifs prévus sur la cloche transparente 2 sont ceux qui sont destinés à introduire ou à extraire quelque chose de la cloche. Les autres dispositifs de conditionnement prévus dans la cloche sont ceux destinés à agir directement sur le récipient. En respectant l'ordre séquentiel du conditionnement, le premier dispositif de conditionnement est le sas d'introduction 21 qui sert à introduire les récipients vides dans la cloche transparente 2. Le sas d'introduction 21 est représenté de façon schématique avec sa porte à vide 210 qui obture le trou de passage du récipient. Les récipients vides pénètrent donc dans la cloche à travers ce sas 21 et sont positionnés dans les godets successifs situés juste à l'aplomb vertical du sas d'introduction 21. C'est ainsi que les récipients sont introduits dans la cloche transparente 2.The conditioning instruments, units or devices provided at each conditioning station are mounted on the transparent bell 2, either on its peripheral wall 2a, or on its cover 2b. Other packaging devices, units or instruments are directly included in the transparent bell 2. The devices provided on the transparent bell 2 are those which are intended to introduce or extract something from the bell. The other packaging devices provided in the container are those intended to act directly on the container. Respecting the sequential order of packaging, the first packaging device is the introductory lock 21 which is used to introduce the empty containers into the transparent bell 2. The introductory lock 21 is shown schematically with its vacuum door 210 which closes the passage hole of the container. The empty containers therefore enter the bell through this airlock 21 and are positioned in the successive buckets situated just vertically above the introduction airlock 21. This is how the containers are introduced into the transparent bell 2.
Comme l'indique la flèche circulaire représentée sur le soubassement 1, la table tournante 10 tourne dans le sens des aiguilles d'une montre. Ainsi, le poste de conditionnement suivant correspond à celui où est positionné le godet référencé 106. Ce poste de conditionnement ne nécessite pas de dispositif fixé sur la cloche transparente 2. Il s'agit du poste de conditionnement servant à l'orientation des récipients encore vides. Cette orientation de récipients s'effectue de manière simple par rotation du godet. Une fois le récipient correctement orienté, la table tournante se déplace à nouveau d'un dixième de tour jusqu'au poste de conditionnement suivant.As indicated by the circular arrow shown on the base 1, the rotary table 10 rotates clockwise. Thus, the following packaging station corresponds to that where the bucket referenced 106 is positioned. This packaging station does not require a device fixed to the transparent bell 2. It is the packaging station used for orienting the containers again. empty. This orientation of containers is carried out in a simple manner by rotation of the bucket. Once the container is correctly oriented, the turntable again moves a tenth of a turn to the next packaging station.
Ce poste comprend une unité de remplissage 22 qui alimente du produit fluide à partir d'une conduite d'amenée 220. Il est à noter que l'unité de remplissage est principalement située à l'extérieur de la cloche transparente 2 sur son couvercle 2b. Seul le tube de remplissage 221 qui pénètre dans le récipient pour le remplir de produit est disposé à l'intérieur de la cloche transparente 2. Ainsi, il n'est pas nécessaire d'enlever la cloche transparente de son soubassement 1 pour intervenir sur le mécanisme de l'unité de remplissage 22. L'unité de remplissage 22 peut être équipée d'un dispositif de suivi de produit qui permet au tube de remplissage 221 de remonter au fur et à mesure que le récipient se remplit de produit. Une fois le récipient rempli avec une quantité suffisante de produit, le moteur à indexation de la table tournante 10 s'active pour amener le godet au poste suivant.This station includes a filling unit 22 which feeds fluid from a supply line 220. It should be noted that the filling unit is mainly located outside of the transparent bell 2 on its cover 2b . Only the filling tube 221 which enters the container to fill it with product is placed inside the transparent bell 2. Thus, it is not necessary to remove the transparent bell from its base 1 to work on the filling unit mechanism 22. The filling unit 22 can be equipped with a product tracking device which allows the filling tube 221 to rise as the container fills with product. Once the container is filled with a sufficient quantity of product, the indexing motor of the rotary table 10 is activated to bring the bucket to the next station.
Dans la machine polyvalente utilisée pour expliquer l'invention, il est possible de conditionner des tubes souples aussi bien que des récipients rigides. A cet égard, les trois postes de conditionnement suivants sont spécifiquement destinés aux tubes souples. Les tubes souples, avant d'être introduits au travers du sas d'introduction 21, sont déjà équipés d'un dispositif de distribution telle qu'une pompe. Le fond du tube souple situé à l'extrémité opposée de la pompe est encore ouvert car c'est par là que le produit est introduit. Les tubes souples avec leur pompe et leur extrémité ouverte sont introduits à travers le sas d'introduction 21 en étant disposé à l'envers, de sorte que la pompe est disposée dans le godet. Les tubes souples sont ensuite acheminés jusqu'à l'unité de remplissage 22 où ils sont remplis. Les trois postes suivants que nous allons maintenant détaillés sont destinés au scellage du fond du tube souple. Le premier poste de conditionnement correspondant à la position du godet 108, est une unité de chauffe 23 qui sert au chauffage de l'extrémité ouverte du fond du tube souple afin de la ramollir pour réahser une thermosoudure. Donc, une fois le tube souple rempli arrivé à l'aplomb vertical de l'unité de chauffe 23, le vérin du godet est actionné de manière à faire monter le tube souple jusqu'à ce que son extrémité ouverte soit engagée sur la buse de chauffe de l'unité de chauffage. Selon l'invention, l'unité de chauffe 23 est une unité de chauffe à air chaud adaptée à puiser de l'air chaud sur l'extrémité du fond du tube pour le ramollir. De manière paradoxale, de l'air est introduit à travers l'unité de chauffe dans l'enceinte où règne un vide d'air. C'est pourquoi la pompe à vide connectée par l'intermédiaire de la canalisation de vide 3 doit pouvoir supporter un apport d'air de quelques mètres cubes par heure. En effet, l'apport en air chaud délivré à travers l'unité de chauffe est de l'ordre de quelques mètres cubes par heure à une température de 270 à 300°C. La buse de chauffe est alimentée par de l'air ambiant filtré. Cela signifie que si l'air d'alimentation et autour de la machine est stérile ou propre, la probabilité d'avoir une enceinte sous vide propre est plus importante. La technique de soudage utilisée dans la machine polyvalente de l'invention, à savoir par chauffage à l'air, est une technique connue dans le conditionnement de produits dans les tubes ou enveloppes souples. Cependant, alors que d'autres techniques connues telles que le soudage par induction, ultrasons ou mâchoires chauffantes sont plus aisément envisageables dans une enceinte où règne un vide d'air, puisque n'utilisant pas d'air, la technique utilisée dans l'invention va à l'encontre des exigences requises pour le scellage sous vide, étant donné que de l'air chaud est puisé dans l'enceinte, ce qui aurait normalement pour effet de casser ou d'affaiblir le vide d'air. La technique par chauffage à l'air est avantageuse par rapport aux techniques précédemment citées, car la mécanique est plus simple et permet de chauffer uniquement la paroi interne du fond du tube. En outre, elle permet d'obtenir des cadences plus élevées. Avec des mâchoires chauffantes, il est nécessaire d'avoir trois ou quatre paires de mâchoires pour obtenir la même cadence. L'air chaud est alimenté avec un débit d'environ 1 à 12 m-Vheure, de préférence 7 m^/par heure. Une fois que l'extrémité supérieure du fond du tube souple est suffisamment ramollie, ce qui met quelques dixièmes de secondes, le tube souple est déplacé jusqu'au prochain poste de conditionnement qui est équipé de mâchoires froides de scellage 24 adaptées à presser l'une contre l'autre avec l'extrémité ouverte du fond réchauffée coincée entre elles. Ceci a pour effet d'appliquer l'extrémité ouverte chauffée du tube sur elle-même de manière à réaliser une thermosoudure. Il est donc essentiel que l'étape de pressage de l'extrémité ouverte du fond sur elle-même s'effectue peu de temps après que l'extrémité ait été chauffée au niveau de l'unité de chauffe 23. De préférence, afin que les mâchoires ne montent pas de manière excessive en température et que la soudure se fasse le plus rapidement possible, il est prévu un circuit interne d'eau de refroidissement pour les refroidir. Dès que le fond du tube souple a été pressé par les mâchoires froides 24, le scellage du tube souple est réalisé. On peut aussi imaginer que la machine puisse sceller des récipients souples d'autres natures que les tubes souples, comme les poches souples, les enveloppes souples, etc... En effet, cette technique de soudage à air chaud sous vide peut être utilisée pour sceller tous types de récipients souples, et peut être mise en oeuvre indépendamment d'un carrousel rotatif. Le prochain poste de conditionnement correspondant au positionnement du godetIn the versatile machine used to explain the invention, it is possible to package flexible tubes as well as rigid containers. In this regard, the following three packaging stations are specifically intended for flexible tubes. The flexible tubes, before being introduced through the introduction lock 21, are already equipped with a distribution device such as a pump. The bottom of the flexible tube located at the opposite end of the pump is still open because this is where the product is introduced. The flexible tubes with their pump and their open end are introduced through the introduction airlock 21 while being arranged upside down, so that the pump is placed in the bucket. The flexible tubes are then routed to the filling unit 22 where they are filled. The next three posts that we will now detailed are intended for sealing the bottom of the flexible tube. The first conditioning station corresponding to the position of the cup 108 is a heating unit 23 which is used to heat the open end of the bottom of the flexible tube in order to soften it to reheat a heat seal. Therefore, once the filled flexible tube has reached the vertical plumb of the heating unit 23, the bucket cylinder is actuated so as to raise the flexible tube until its open end is engaged on the nozzle. heats the heating unit. According to the invention, the heating unit 23 is a hot air heating unit adapted to draw hot air from the end of the bottom of the tube to soften it. Paradoxically, air is introduced through the heating unit into the enclosure where an air vacuum prevails. This is why the vacuum pump connected via the vacuum pipe 3 must be able to withstand an air supply of a few cubic meters per hour. In fact, the supply of hot air delivered through the heating unit is of the order of a few cubic meters per hour at a temperature of 270 to 300 ° C. The heating nozzle is supplied with filtered ambient air. This means that if the air supply to and around the machine is sterile or clean, the probability of having a clean vacuum enclosure is greater. The welding technique used in the versatile machine of the invention, namely by air heating, is a known technique in the packaging of products in flexible tubes or envelopes. However, while other known techniques such as induction welding, ultrasound or heating jaws are more easily conceivable in an enclosure where an air vacuum prevails, since not using air, the technique used in The invention goes against the requirements for vacuum sealing, since hot air is drawn into the enclosure, which would normally have the effect of breaking or weakening the air vacuum. The air heating technique is advantageous compared to the previously mentioned techniques, because the mechanics are simpler and only heat the inner wall of the bottom of the tube. In addition, it allows higher rates to be obtained. With heated jaws, it is necessary to have three or four pairs of jaws to obtain the same rate. The hot air is supplied with a flow of approximately 1 to 12 m-Vhour, preferably 7 m ^ / per hour. Once the upper end of the bottom of the flexible tube is sufficiently softened, which takes a few tenths of a second, the flexible tube is moved to the next packaging station which is equipped with cold sealing jaws 24 adapted to press the one against the other with the open end of the heated bottom wedged between them. This has the effect of applying the heated open end of the tube to itself so as to produce a heat seal. It is therefore essential that the step of pressing the open end of the bottom onto itself takes place shortly after the end has been heated at the heating unit 23. Preferably, so that the jaws don't do not rise excessively in temperature and the welding takes place as quickly as possible, there is an internal cooling water circuit to cool them. As soon as the bottom of the flexible tube has been pressed by the cold jaws 24, the flexible tube is sealed. One can also imagine that the machine can seal flexible containers of other kinds than flexible tubes, such as flexible bags, flexible envelopes, etc. Indeed, this technique of hot air vacuum welding can be used to seal all types of flexible containers, and can be used independently of a rotating carousel. The next conditioning station corresponding to the positioning of the bucket
110 est équipé d'un dispositif de coupe 25 destiné à couper l'extrémité du fond du tube souple situé au-delà de la thermosoudure, ceci dans un but esthétique. Les chutes de plastique peuvent être éjectées hors de l'enceinte par un sas volumique.110 is equipped with a cutting device 25 intended to cut the end of the bottom of the flexible tube situated beyond the heat seal, this for an aesthetic purpose. Plastic scraps can be ejected from the enclosure by a volume airlock.
Le tube souple rempli et scellé est ensuite acheminé jusqu'à son poste de conditionnement suivant au niveau duquel il sera extrait de l'enceinte au travers d'un sas d'éjection 29. Le tube souple à partir du poste équipé du dispositif de coupe 25 jusqu'au sas d'éjection 29 ne subit plus aucune opération de conditionnement, bien qu'il passe et s'arrête au niveau de trois postes correspondants au positionnement des godets 101, 102 et 103. Le sas d'éjection 29 peut être un sas à mouvement alternatif équipé d'une porte à vide 290. Selon l'invention, la machine polyvalente est également adaptée à conditionner des récipients rigides sur lesquels doit être monté un dispositif de distribution telle qu'une pompe. Les récipients rigides, qui peuvent être réalisés en verre, en métal ou en matière plastique sont introduits à travers le sas d'introduction 21 alors qu'ils ne sont pas encore équipés de leur pompe. Ils sont positionnés dans les godets avec leur embouchure ouverte vers le haut. Ils subissent les mêmes opérations de conditionnement que les tubes souples précédemment cités jusqu'à l'unité de remplissage 22. Ils sont donc orientés puis remplis avec le produit souhaité. Ensuite, le récipient rigide rempli ne subit aucune opération de conditionnement au niveau des trois postes suivants correspondants au poste de scellage à chaud pour tubes souples. Le poste suivant au niveau duquel le récipient rigide rempli subit une opération de conditionnement correspond au positionnement du godet 101. A cet endroit, le godet se trouve à l'aplomb vertical d'un sas d'introduction de pompe 26 équipé d'une porte à vide 260. Les pompes sont donc introduites au niveau de ce sas 26 et positionnées sur le col ou goulot du récipient rigide rempli.The filled and sealed flexible tube is then conveyed to its next conditioning station at which it will be extracted from the enclosure through an ejection lock 29. The flexible tube from the station equipped with the cutting device 25 until the ejection lock 29 no longer undergoes any conditioning operation, although it passes and stops at three stations corresponding to the positioning of the buckets 101, 102 and 103. The ejection lock 29 can be a reciprocating airlock equipped with a vacuum door 290. According to the invention, the multipurpose machine is also suitable for packaging rigid containers on which a dispensing device such as a pump must be mounted. Rigid containers, which can be made of glass, metal or plastic, are introduced through the introduction lock 21 while they are not yet equipped with their pump. They are positioned in the buckets with their mouths open upwards. They undergo the same packaging operations as the previously mentioned flexible tubes up to the filling unit 22. They are therefore oriented and then filled with the desired product. Then, the filled rigid container does not undergo any conditioning operation at the following three stations corresponding to the hot sealing station for flexible tubes. The next station at which the filled rigid container undergoes a conditioning operation corresponds to the positioning of the bucket 101. At this location, the bucket is vertically plumb with a pump introduction lock 26 equipped with a door vacuum 260. The pumps are therefore introduced at this airlock 26 and positioned on the neck or neck of the rigid container filled.
Le récipient rigide rempli se déplace ensuite jusqu'au poste suivant correspondant au positionnement du godet 102. Le godet est alors situé à l'aplomb vertical d'une unité de sertissage ou d'encliquetage 27. En effet, en fonction de la technique employée pour fixer la pompe sur le col du récipient, il peut être prévu, soit une unité de sertissage, soit une unité d'encliquetage. Que ce soit par encliquetage ou sertissage, la fixation de la pompe sur le col du récipient a pour effet d'isoler de manière étanche le produit à l'intérieur du récipient. A partir de ce moment, le produit contenu dans le récipient n'aura plus aucun contact avec l'air jusqu'à sa distribution. Avantageusement, le diamètre et la hauteur de sertissage peuvent être réglés de l'extérieur sans arrêt de la machine.The filled rigid container then moves to the next station corresponding to the positioning of the bucket 102. The bucket is then located vertically below a crimping or latching unit 27. In fact, depending on the technique used to fix the pump on the neck of the container, there may be provided either a crimping unit or a snap-on unit. Whether by snap-fitting or crimping, the fixing of the pump on the neck of the container has the effect of sealing the product inside the container. From this moment, the product contained in the container will no longer have any contact with the air until it is dispensed. Advantageously, the crimping diameter and height can be adjusted from the outside without stopping the machine.
Le poste suivant est équipé d'une unité d'injection d'azote ou d'air filtré dans la chambre de dosage de la pompe afin d'éviter la distribution de produit lors de la pose du poussoir sur la pompe. Une description complète et détaillée de la structure et du fonctionnement des unités de sertissage ou d'encliquetage et d'injection de gaz est donnée dans le document EP-0509 179.The next station is equipped with a unit for injecting nitrogen or filtered air into the metering chamber of the pump in order to avoid product distribution when the valve is placed on the pump. A complete and detailed description of the structure and operation of the crimping or latching and gas injection units is given in document EP-0509,179.
Une fois avoir quitté le dernier poste de conditionnement 28, le récipient rempli doté de sa pompe fixée de manière étanche est éjecté hors de l'enceinte à travers le sas d'éjection 29, qui sert également à l'éjection des tubes souples. A ce titre, il est à noter que les systèmes de sas, qui sont de préférence alternatifs permettent de faire passer les contenants et les pompes d'une pression atmosphérique à une pression d'environ 10 millibars sans difficulté et sans affecter le vide.After leaving the last packaging station 28, the filled container with its pump fixed in a sealed manner is ejected from the enclosure through the ejection lock 29, which is also used for ejecting the flexible tubes. As such, it should be noted that the airlock systems, which are preferably alternative, make it possible to move the containers and the pumps from an atmospheric pressure to a pressure of about 10 millibars without difficulty and without affecting the vacuum.
La machine polyvalente selon l'invention permet d'une part de traiter plusieurs types différents de récipients (tubes souples ou récipients rigides) et d'autre part, permet de réaliser des opérations de remphssage et de scellage dans un vide d'air continu. Cela permet d'atteindre des cadences élevées, étant donné qu'entre chaque opération, il n'y a pas de remise à la pression atmosphérique. Toutes les opérations s'enchaînent dans une atmosphère en dépression contrôlée.The multi-purpose machine according to the invention makes it possible on the one hand to treat several different types of containers (flexible tubes or rigid containers) and on the other hand, makes it possible to carry out resealing and sealing operations in a continuous vacuum of air. This makes it possible to reach high rates, since between each operation, there is no return to atmospheric pressure. All operations are linked in a controlled vacuum atmosphere.
Il est également à noter que les unités nécessaires à l'introduction ou à l'éjection des récipients ainsi que les unités nécessaires au remplissage, au chauffage, au sertissage ou encliquetage et à l'injection de gaz sont principalement situées en dehors de l'enceinte. Ainsi, il est capable d'intervenir sur leur mécanisme sans avoir besoin d'enlever la cloche transparente 2. Des réglages sur ces unités peuvent même être effectués pendant le fonctionnement de la machine polyvalente. La machine polyvalente choisie pour illustrer l'invention ne constitue qu'un mode de réalisation de l'invention. En effet, une machine polyvalente peut être envisagée avec plus ou moins de postes de conditionnement, mais travaillant tous dans une enceinte où règne un vide d'air continu. It should also be noted that the units necessary for the introduction or ejection of the containers as well as the units necessary for filling, heating, crimping or snap-fasting and gas injection are mainly located outside of the pregnant. Thus, it is able to intervene on their mechanism without the need to remove the transparent bell 2. Adjustments on these units can even be made during the operation of the multipurpose machine. The multipurpose machine chosen to illustrate the invention constitutes only one embodiment of the invention. Indeed, a general-purpose machine can be envisaged with more or less conditioning stations, but all working in an enclosure where there is a continuous vacuum of air.

Claims

Revendications : Claims:
1.- Machine de conditionnement pour le remplissage et le scellage de récipients, ladite machine comprenant une pluralité de postes auxquels sont effectuées des opérations de conditionnement à l'aide de moyens de conditionnement (21-29), les postes comprenant au moins un poste de remplissage (21) et un poste de scellage (23, 24, 27), ladite machine comprenant des moyens de transport (10) pour faire circuler les récipients selon un chemin passant par les divers postes, caractérisée en ce que les postes sont disposés dans une enceinte (2) où règne un vide d'air.1.- Packaging machine for filling and sealing containers, said machine comprising a plurality of stations to which packaging operations are carried out using packaging means (21-29), the stations comprising at least one station filling machine (21) and a sealing station (23, 24, 27), said machine comprising transport means (10) for circulating the containers along a path passing through the various stations, characterized in that the stations are arranged in an enclosure (2) where an air vacuum prevails.
2.- Machine selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les moyens de transport (10) sont disposés à l'intérieur de l'enceinte (2) et se présentent sous la forme d'un carrousel rotatif équipé d'une pluralité de moyens de réception (101-110) pour accueillir les récipients.2. Machine according to claim 1, in which the transport means (10) are arranged inside the enclosure (2) and are in the form of a rotary carousel equipped with a plurality of means of reception (101-110) to receive the containers.
3.- Machine selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle l'enceinte comprend une cloche à vide (2) qui coiffe ladite pluralité de postes de manière étanche à l'air.3.- Machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the enclosure comprises a vacuum bell (2) which covers said plurality of stations in an airtight manner.
4.- Machine selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle les moyens de conditionnement (21-29) sont assujettis à la cloche à vide (2). 4.- Machine according to claim 3, wherein the packaging means (21-29) are subject to the vacuum bell (2).
5.- Machine de conditionnement selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle la cloche (2) est pourvue d'un sas d'introduction (24) de récipients vides et d'un sas d'éjection (29) de récipients remplis et scellés.5. A packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the bell (2) is provided with an introductory airlock (24) of empty containers and an ejection airlock (29) of filled and sealed containers.
6.- Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle les moyens de conditionnement comprennent des moyens de scellage à air chaud (23) destinés à sceller des récipients souples.6. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the packaging means comprise hot air sealing means (23) intended to seal flexible containers.
7.- Machine de conditionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans laquelle les moyens de conditionnement comprennent des moyens de sertissage (27) pour sertir un dispositif de distribution sur le col d'un réservoir.7. A packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the packaging means comprise crimping means (27) for crimping a dispensing device on the neck of a tank.
8.- Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans laquelle les moyens de conditionnement comprennent des moyens d'encliquetage (27) pour enchqueter un dispositif de distribution sur le col d'un récipient.8.- Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the packaging means comprise latching means (27) to encchquet a dispensing device on the neck of a container.
9.- Machine selon la revendication 7 ou 8, dans laquelle la cloche à vide comprend un sas d'introduction (26) de dispositifs de distribution.9.- Machine according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the vacuum chamber comprises an introductory airlock (26) of dispensing devices.
10.- Machine selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle les moyens de réception (101- 110) sont modulables ou interchangeables en fonction du type de récipient à accueillir.10.- Machine according to claim 2, wherein the receiving means (101-110) are modular or interchangeable depending on the type of container to accommodate.
* * * * * *
EP20000968023 1999-10-14 2000-10-12 Machine for filling and sealing containers Expired - Lifetime EP1224123B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9912800 1999-10-14
FR9912800A FR2799730B1 (en) 1999-10-14 1999-10-14 CONTAINER FILLING AND SEALING MACHINE
PCT/FR2000/002844 WO2001026970A1 (en) 1999-10-14 2000-10-12 Machine for filling and sealing containers

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EP1224123A1 true EP1224123A1 (en) 2002-07-24
EP1224123B1 EP1224123B1 (en) 2003-08-13

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EP (1) EP1224123B1 (en)
DE (1) DE60004553T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2203516T3 (en)
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DE60004553D1 (en) 2003-09-18
ES2203516T3 (en) 2004-04-16
FR2799730A1 (en) 2001-04-20
EP1224123B1 (en) 2003-08-13
US6705062B1 (en) 2004-03-16
FR2799730B1 (en) 2002-01-18
WO2001026970A1 (en) 2001-04-19
DE60004553T2 (en) 2004-06-17

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