EP1224123B1 - Machine for filling and sealing containers - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a machine and a method for filling and sealing of containers such as flexible tubes or rigid tanks fitted 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 cosmetic or pharmaceutical products such as creams, milks, or even more liquid products.

The industrial sectors of pharmacy and cosmetics, among others, are of large producers of delicate fluid products which require very good packaging quality. 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 from these degrading environments.

A widely used technique which can be used for insensitive products consists in provide the reservoir containing said product with a so-called "air-less" distribution device, that is to say without air intake: as the product is distributed, the volume of the tank decreases correspondingly so that the product is never in contact with air in the tank. This type of dispensing device is commonly used for products subject to oxidation.

In the field of vacuum packaging, we can for example cite the document GB-A-246 347 which describes a vacuum packaging apparatus. This device includes an entrance through which we introduce unsealed filled boxes. 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. He is not describes how vacuum sealed boxes are removed from the carousel for reduce to ambient pressure. The purpose of this device is to seal vacuum cans without sudden pressure variation which would bring the contents of the boxes still open to being disturbed and thereby spreading next to it. The problem of conditioning delicate products is not discussed, since the filling of boxes is done under pressure outside the appliance.

We can also cite the document US-A-5 481 851 which describes an apparatus for setting waste box in which empty boxes are introduced into a rotating carousel by an entrance. 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 the boxes are sealed with ambient air at the exit door. Evacuation of the air is not intended to achieve a vacuum seal, but simply extract the air from the box.

For more sensitive products whose conservation is problematic, we also have use air conditioning techniques. The tank is sealed in an enclosure where there is a certain vacuum. This ensures that the product is not conditioned in the tank with air which could degrade it.

Document US-A-3 006 120 describes an apparatus for emptying air from bags, filling them then gas and seal them. Each pocket is brought into a rotating carousel comprising sixteen enclosures each intended to receive a pocket. Each speakers comprising a bucket and a cover to which an air exhaust line is connected and a gas filling line. Each cover is also provided with a system of jaw sealing. So there are as many lines and sealing systems as there are enclosures, i.e. sixteen exhaust air lines, sixteen gas filling lines and sixteen sealing. It is also necessary to break the vacuum in each enclosure to remove the filled and sealed pocket and insert a new pocket. This takes time. It is also note that the product packaged in the pockets, i.e. gas, is not a delicate product, and the evacuation of the air is only intended to improve the filling in gas, not to preserve gas from the air. The filling gas occupies the entire volume of the enclosure so there's definitely only gas in the pocket when it's sealed. This is not the case with liquid products.

For very sensitive products, it is also necessary to incorporate agents preservatives in the product to improve stability because the product may be in contact air before conditioning. Adding preservatives has an impact on the price cost of the product and may even, for some, cause allergic reactions at the user.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by defining a machine for packaging sensitive liquid products which allows to reduce, even even eliminate, the preservatives. In addition, the machine must be able to operate at a high rate. It should also be the least bulky possible.

To do this, the present invention relates to a packaging machine for filling and sealing containers, said machine comprising a plurality of stations to which conditioning operations are carried out using means of packaging, the stations comprising at least one filling station and one sealing, 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. Providing that filling and sealing are carried out in a single enclosure in which there is a vacuum, we ensure that the product to be packaged was never in contact with air, so it could not be altered. Working with the product to be conditioned in a continuous vacuum allows reduce the amount of preservatives necessary for its stability. Not only the product is less expensive, due to the small amount of preservatives added, but also the purest product. Another visible advantage produced by the invention resides in that the speed of the machine can be accelerated, since there is no longer any air vacuum rupture during the filling and sealing stage.

In addition, since the stations are placed in a common enclosure, all stations are common to all containers when moving from one station to another. This is not the case in the device of document US-A-3 006 120 where each container is placed in a individual enclosure equipped with conditioning stations. Once the container is filled and sealed, the enclosure is open. This is not the case here with a single enclosure housing all posts. The enclosure does not need to be opened during normal operation.

According to technical characteristics of the invention, the means of transport are are in the form of a rotating carousel equipped with a plurality of means for reception to receive 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 means of packaging are subject to the vacuum bell. On the other hand, the bell is provided with a airlock for the introduction of empty containers and an airlock for ejection of filled and sealed containers.

According to one embodiment, the packaging means comprise hot air sealing means for sealing flexible containers. This technique of sealing 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 due to the fact that such a technique is used in an enclosure with empty. While other known techniques, such as ultrasonic welding, induction or heated jaws are more easily conceivable in an enclosure where a air vacuum, since not using air, the technique used in the invention goes against requirements for vacuum sealing, since hot air is pulsed inside the enclosure, which would normally break or weaken the air space.

The air heating technique is advantageous compared to the techniques previously mentioned, because the mechanics are simpler and allow to heat only the inner wall of the flexible container. In addition, it allows to obtain more cadences high. With heated jaws, it is necessary to have three or four pairs of jaws to achieve the same rate.

Alternatively or additionally, the packaging means include crimping means for crimping a dispensing device on the neck of a tank. Always alternately or additionally, the means of packaging include latching means for snap-fastening a distribution on the neck of a container. Advantageously, the vacuum bell comprises an airlock introduction of distribution devices. The machine according to the invention can comprise a plurality of stations specifically adapted to the packaging of several types different from containers. To this end, the reception means can be modular or interchangeable depending on the type of receptacles to be accommodated.

The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the drawings. attached giving by way of nonlimiting example an embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing, the single figure represents a versatile machine for packaging produced in accordance with the present invention.

The machine model chosen to illustrate the present invention is of the type versatile, namely that it is suitable for packaging 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 tightly sealed. This sealing operation of the bottom of the tube is generally operated by a heat seal. This is why the tubes flexible must be made with a material capable of softening at a temperature relatively small. In general, flexible tubes are made of plastic. As with rigid tanks, generally made of glass or metal, the operation of filling takes place through the neck of the tank. The tank sealing operation is carried out by fixing the chosen distribution device. there are several fixing methods a distribution device on the neck of a rigid tank. For example, the distribution can be crimped or snapped into place. The machine shown in the a 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.

The machine proposed by the present invention makes it possible to package a product liquid to creamy, but preferably creamy, in the types of packaging described above, from filling to sealing. According to a very characteristic advantageous of the invention, the packaging steps from filling to sealing takes place in an environment where an air vacuum prevails. Therefore, the product conditioning is never in contact with air. In order to preserve the isolation of the product from air, it is necessary to fill the packaging, i.e. flexible tubes and / or rigid containers, with a distribution device without air intake. We make sure that the product is never in contact with air until dispensed by the user.

Referring now to the single figure, it can be seen that the multipurpose machine of packaging according to the illustrated embodiment has a general shape cylindrical essentially comprising two parts, namely a lower part forming a base 1 and an upper part formed by a transparent bell 2.

The base 1 has an outer shape protection shell cylindrical enclosing an adequate motor capable of generating a movement of rotation whose axis 20 passes centrally through the base and the bell transparent 2. The motorization 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. A rotary table is mounted on the axis of rotation 20 10 of annular shape and of size substantially corresponding to that of the shell of protection of the base 1, The axis of rotation 20 of course passes through the center of the turntable 10, so that said turntable is made to perform a rotational movement on itself printed by the motorization. Because of the indexing associated with the motorization, the rotary table 10 is brought to stop its rotational movement after a stroke corresponding to a certain angular value determined. 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 cups designated by the reference numerals 101 to 110. As there are ten buckets provided in the model shown, the associated indexing to the motorization must be adapted to stop the rotational movement after a race angular of 36 °. The rotary table 10 therefore forms an indexing carousel comprising a plurality of cups for receiving containers (flexible tubes or containers rigid). Each bucket 101 to 110 is actuated by an up and down cylinder (not shown) located below the turntable 10 in the base 1. Each bucket, under the action of its respective cylinder, is therefore capable of performing a movement vertical translative.

The indexing carousel formed by the turntable 10 is only one form of means of transport adapted to circulate the containers. It is well heard possible to imagine other versions of means of transport, for example according straight path trajectories. A circular path as used in the present invention is only one embodiment preferential for the means of transport necessary for the present invention. Indeed, the displacement of all the buckets can be carried out using a single motorization and a single indexing.

The base 1 comprising the motorization and its turntable 10 equipped with its buckets is surmounted by the transparent bell 2 of cylindrical shape which rests on airtight manner on a peripheral edge 11 of the base 1. The bell transparent 2 and the base 1 together form a vacuum enclosure. A seal 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 ³ 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 machine 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 buckets 101 to 110 remain static for a period of time relatively short in defining positions with devices or instruments respective associated packaging a plurality of packaging stations. A bucket taken individually, for example the bucket referenced 101, therefore performs a trajectory circular making stops at each packing station. The gap angle between the different buckets 101 to 110 must therefore be strictly equal, given that each bucket must pass through all the packing stations.

The instruments, units or packaging devices provided at each packaging are mounted on the transparent bell 2, either on its peripheral wall 2a, or on its cover 2b. Other devices, units or instruments of packaging are directly included in the transparent cover 2. The devices provided on the transparent bell 2 are those which are intended to introduce or extract something of the bell. The other packaging devices provided for in the bell are those intended to act directly on the container.

By respecting the sequential order of packaging, the first device for packaging is the entry airlock 21 which is used to introduce the empty containers into the transparent bell 2. The airlock 21 is shown schematically with its vacuum door 210 which closes the passage hole of the container. Empty containers therefore enter the bell through this airlock 21 and are positioned in the buckets located just vertically above the introductory airlock 21. This is how the containers are introduced into the transparent cover 2.

As indicated by the circular arrow represented on the base 1, the table rotating 10 rotates clockwise. So the post of following packaging corresponds to that where the bucket referenced 106 is positioned. packaging station does not require a device attached to the transparent cover 2. It this is the packaging station used to orient the containers that are still empty. This orientation of containers is carried out in a simple manner by rotation of the bucket. Once the container correctly oriented, the turntable moves again by one tenth of turn to the next packing station.

This station includes a filling unit 22 which supplies fluid to from a supply line 220. It should be noted that the filling unit is mainly located outside the transparent bell 2 on its cover 2b. Only the filling tube 221 which enters the container to fill it with product is arranged inside the transparent bell 2. Thus, it is not necessary to remove the bell transparent of its base 1 to intervene on the mechanism of the unit filling 22. The filling unit 22 can be equipped with a device for monitoring product which allows the filling tube 221 to rise as the container fills with product. Once the container is filled with a sufficient amount of product, the rotary table indexing motor 10 is activated to bring the bucket to the next post.

In 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 lock 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 following three stations which we will now detail 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 produce 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 pulsate hot air on 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 support an air supply of a few cubic meters per hour. Indeed, 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 forced 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 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 ³ / hour, preferably 7 m ³ / 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 do not rise excessively in temperature and that the welding takes place as quickly as possible, an internal cooling water circuit is provided 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 could seal flexible containers of other natures as flexible tubes, such as flexible bags, flexible envelopes, etc ... indeed, this vacuum hot air welding technique can be used to seal all types of flexible containers, and can be used independently of a carousel rotary.

The next conditioning station corresponding to the positioning of the bucket 110 is equipped with a cutting device 25 intended to cut the end of the bottom of the tube flexible located beyond the heat seal, this for aesthetic purposes. The falls of plastic can be ejected from the enclosure by a volume airlock.

The filled and sealed flexible tube is then sent to its post next packaging at which it will be extracted from the enclosure through an airlock ejection 29. The flexible tube from the station equipped with the cutting device 25 to the airlock ejection 29 no longer undergoes any conditioning operation, although it passes and stops at three positions corresponding to the positioning of buckets 101, 102 and 103. The ejection lock 29 can be a reciprocating lock fitted 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. Rigid containers, which can be made of glass, metal or material plastic are introduced through the introduction airlock 21 while they are not yet equipped with their pump. They are positioned in the buckets with their mouth open to the top. They undergo the same conditioning operations as flexible tubes previously mentioned up to filling unit 22. They are therefore oriented then filled with the desired product. Then, the filled rigid container does not undergo any operation of packaging at the following three stations corresponding to the sealing station at hot for flexible tubes. The next station at which the rigid container filled undergoes a conditioning operation corresponds to the positioning of the bucket 101. A this place, the bucket is vertically plumb with a pump introduction lock 26 fitted with a vacuum door 260. The pumps are therefore introduced at this airlock 26 and positioned on the neck or neck of the filled rigid container.

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 unit of crimping or snap-fitting 27. Indeed, depending on the technique used to fix the pump on the neck of the container, either a crimping unit or a unit snap. Whether by snap-fastening or crimping, fixing the pump on the neck of the container has the effect of sealing the product inside the container. AT from this moment, the product contained in the container will no longer have any contact with the air until its distribution. Advantageously, the crimping diameter and height can be adjusted from the outside without stopping the machine.

The next station is equipped with a nitrogen injection unit or filtered air in the dosing chamber of the pump in order to avoid dispensing of product during installation of the push button on the pump. A complete and detailed description of the structure and operation of crimping or latching and gas injection units is given in document EP-A-0 509 179.

After leaving the last packing station 28, the filled container with from its tightly fixed pump 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, allow containers to pass through and pumps from atmospheric pressure to a pressure of about 10 millibars without difficulty and without affecting the vacuum.

The versatile machine according to the invention allows on the one hand to treat several types different from containers (flexible tubes or rigid containers) and on the other hand, allows perform filling and sealing operations in a continuous vacuum. it achieves high rates, since between each operation there is no return to atmospheric pressure. All operations are linked in one controlled vacuum atmosphere.

It should also be noted that the units necessary for the introduction or ejection of containers and the units necessary for filling, heating, crimping or snap-in and gas injection are mainly located outside the enclosure. Thus, it is able to intervene on their mechanism without the need to remove the bell transparent 2. Adjustments on these units can even be made during operation of the multi-purpose machine.

The multipurpose machine chosen to illustrate the invention constitutes only one mode of realization of the invention. Indeed, a versatile machine can be considered with more or less packing stations, but all working in an enclosure where reigns a continuous vacuum.

Claims (10)

1. A packaging machine for filling and sealing receptacles, said machine having a plurality of stations at which packaging operations are performed by packaging means (21-29), the stations comprising at least a filling station (21) and a sealing station (23, 24, 27), said machine including conveyor means (10) for causing the receptacles to travel along a path passing through the various stations, said packaging machine being characterized in that the stations are disposed in an enclosure (2) in which a vacuum prevails.
2. A machine according to claim 1, in which the conveyor means (10) are disposed inside the enclosure (2), and they are in the form of a rotary carrousel equipped with a plurality of receptacle-receiving means (101-110) for receiving the receptacles.
3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, in which the enclosure includes a vacuum bell (2) which covers said plurality of stations in airtight manner.
4. A machine according to claim 3, in which the packaging means (21-29) are secured to the vacuum bell (2).
5. A packaging machine according to claim 3, in which the bell (2) is provided with an insertion airlock (24) for inserting empty receptacles, and with an ejection airlock (29) for ejecting filled and sealed receptacles.
6. A machine according to any preceding claim, in which the packaging means include hot air sealing means (23) serving to seal flexible receptacles.
7. A packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the packaging means include crimping means (27) for crimping a dispenser device to the neck of a reservoir.
8. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the packaging means include snap-fastening means (27) for snap-fastening a dispenser device to the neck of a receptacle.
9. A machine according to claim 7 or 8, in which the vacuum bell is provided with an insertion airlock (26) for inserting dispenser devices.
10. A machine according to claim 2, in which the receptacle-receiving means (101-110) may be modulated or interchanged as a function of the type of receptacle to be received.

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