EP1228980A2 - Method and device for sterile or germfree filling of a package having an inner bag - Google Patents

Abstract

The method for sterile filling of a packaging unit provided with an inner foil, in particular, a foldable packaging unit with a powdery, granular, pasty or liquid products involves unfolding of the packaging unit, attaching an adaptor ring to the inner side of the foil, and sterilizing the inner side of the packaging unit and the foil. It further involves closing of one end of the foil, filling it with the product, and closing its other end and the packaging unit. An independent claim is also included for an apparatus for implementation of the proposed method.

Description

The invention relates to a method for sterile or germ-free filling of a provided with an inner film Packaging, in particular a folding box, for powdery, granular, pasty products or for liquids, especially food. The The invention also relates to a device for carrying it out of the procedure.

For environmental reasons and for recycling are folding boxes known from cardboard with a glued in Composite film, generally of a polyester-polyethylene composite, are provided. Through the Composite film becomes a barrier against water vapor, Loss of flavor, oxygen, nitrogen, fats and the like reached.

On packaging machines that are generally used in one The cartons or boxes are bottlers with the glued-in composite film that still has a tubular shape and therefore at both ends is open on the packaging machines in the form brought and with a pouring / pouring spout (see e.g. EP 0 273 102 B1). Then after a Seal the inner film with the packaging desired product or liquid over the spout filled. Finally, the spout is closed.

The disadvantage of this method is that it does not Sterility should be guaranteed can, which creates problems with products that are sensitive to germs, e.g. Juices and Milk. The relative complexity is also disadvantageous this packaging process.

Systems are known in which sterility guaranteed to a consumer, but this can only be guaranteed by complex procedures which is generally followed by a freezer chain must become. This is why this procedure is only intended for large containers.

A so-called "bag-in-box" system is also known, being bag-shaped foils with sealed filling and Outlet nozzle filled with the product and then Add a cardboard box for transport become. This method is also relative in practice cumbersome to use and only for larger containers suitable.

The present invention is therefore based on the object a process for sterile or aseptic filling of products and liquids to create the sterility or sterility to the consumer is guaranteed, and being the procedure especially for smaller containers and thus smaller ones Amounts of consumption, such as for a private household, are suitable.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the 1 mentioned features solved.

One of the essential features of the invention is in sealing the adapter ring to the inside the slide. This measure leaves the inner film unchanged and has none at this time Opening for a filler or filler neck. Much more is the opening of the adapter ring through the inner film completed.

Gluing or sealing the adapter ring with the inner film could in principle already at Production of the folding box with the inside arranged Inner film done, but in a very This takes place in an advantageous embodiment of the invention in connection with the filling process, because on this The manufacturing process of the folding box is not like this disturbed by a longer adhesive or sealing process and it is also the easiest way to achieve sterility realize. This is because the connection is made of the adapter ring in a correspondingly designed Packaging and filling machine, can at the same time sterility in connection with appropriate radiation equipment can be achieved.

If in an advantageous embodiment of the invention the connection of the adapter ring with the inner foil done by heat sealing, so this is Automatically a sterility or sterilization reached. Heat sealing is special then suitable if as material for the adapter ring Polyethylene is used and the inner film on the The side facing the adapter ring is also made of polyethylene consists. In this case there is a heat seal in the range of 150 ° C, which automatically means a Germ killing is achieved.

It is then only necessary to ensure that during the Treatment of the packaging, e.g. after straightening up and during transportation by radiation equipment, e.g. UV blasting equipment placed inside the packaging be introduced, radiation and thus one Sterility is achieved. Instead of UV radiation devices or in addition, if necessary critical areas also with liquid hydrogen peroxide be rinsed.

Since none according to the invention in this treatment stage Grommet and no opening made in the inner film according to the invention, the Interior from one end, for which the opposite end face glued, more advantageous Way has been sealed. After filling the front opening with the desired product or the desired liquid is then final also sealed the inner foil on this side, after which the packaging was closed with the tabs becomes.

As can be seen, a transport takes place in this way to the consumer without any filler / filler neck is provided, with the inventive Filling also ensures sterility is.

Only at the consumer, e.g. when inserted into one Vending machine, is a grooved part, e.g. a piercing sleeve cuts open the opening of the adapter ring and for a tight connection of the lancing sleeve taken care of with the adapter ring.

An embodiment of the invention is as follows described in principle with reference to the drawing.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Faltschachtel nach der Herstellung, im noch gefalteten Zustand;

Fig. 2

die Faltschachtel nach der Fig. 1 im aufgerichteten Zustand;

Fig. 3

das Einbringen eines Adapterringes in eine aufgerichtete Faltschachtel;

Fig. 4

das Einführen von zwei UV-Strahlstäben in den Innenraum der Verpackung;

Fig. 5 und 6

den Weitertransport der Verpackung bei gleichzeitiger Bestrahlung durch UV-Stäbe;

Fig. 7

eine Verpackung mit aufgeklappten Laschen und eingeführten UV-Stäben;

Fig. 8

eine Verpackung während des Abfüllvorganges;

Fig. 9

das Versiegeln der oberen Stirnseite der Innenfolie bei gleichzeitiger Bestrahlung durch zwei UV-Stäbe;

Fig. 10

eine fertig abgefüllte Verpackung; und

Fig. 11

eine perspektivische Darstellung der befüllten Faltschachtel mit einer Einstechtülle.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a folding box according to the invention after manufacture, in the folded state;

Fig. 2

the folding box of Figure 1 in the erected state.

Fig. 3

the insertion of an adapter ring in an erected folding box;

Fig. 4

the introduction of two UV rays into the interior of the packaging;

5 and 6

the further transport of the packaging with simultaneous irradiation by UV rods;

Fig. 7

a package with opened flaps and inserted UV sticks;

Fig. 8

a packaging during the filling process;

Fig. 9

sealing the top face of the inner film while being irradiated by two UV rods;

Fig. 10

a pre-filled packaging; and

Fig. 11

a perspective view of the filled folding box with an insertion spout.

In Fig. 1 is a folding box 1 as packaging shown in the folded state. In the Folding box 1 is a composite film in a known manner 2 in tube form, i.e. with the end faces still open, which later represent the top and bottom, glued. In this condition, the folding box space-saving from the manufacturer to the bottler transported. In the outer packaging envelope An opening 3 is punched into the cardboard, but over the opening the inner film 2 is drawn on the inside.

2 shows the folding box 1 in an erected position Condition as they appear in several at the bottler Steps are treated and bottled.

From Fig. 3 it can be seen how in the erected Packaging an adapter ring 4 is introduced. The inner film 2 is a composite film made of polyester and polyethylene. Instead of polyester, polyamide could also be used or polypropylene can be used. Even the adapter ring 4 is made of polyethylene. The adapter ring 4 will aligned with the opening 3 on the inside of the composite film 2 created and in a known manner at 150 ° C with the Polyethylene side of the composite film 2 sealed. there the composite film 2 stretches "unharmed" over the Ring opening 5 of the adapter ring 4.

4 shows the sealed adapter ring with dashed lines 4. From the same figure it can be seen that for irradiation, two UV rods arranged side by side 6 from above into the interior of the folding box 1 can be inserted and pushed through. Possibly can also be just one UV stick or more than two UV sticks be provided. Other types of blasting devices are possible.

Figures 5 and 6 show the position and the transport the folding box 1 after the first irradiation through the UV rods 6 to ensure sterility or sterilization to reach. As can be seen here and 1 more UV rods 6 above the folding box arranged for radiation. 5 are tabs 7 of the folding box 1 on the underside curved outside. From Fig. 6 it can be seen that the tubular inner film 2 on the underside Heat sealing is closed.

Fig. 7 shows a closed on the bottom Folding box 1 and for further sterilization again UV rods 6, which in the interior of the Folding box 1 are introduced. In addition, you can even more UV rods for the radiation in the upper one Area. This applies in particular to the UV rods 6 between the station of FIGS. 7 and the subsequent station according to FIG. 8, in which one Filling the interior of the inner film 2 with the desired one Product or liquid from a no closer shown filling device 8 takes place.

Fig. 9 shows in principle with the flaps unfolded 7 the top face, sealing the inner film 2 on the top after completion of the filling with the product or with the liquid. simultaneously there is another one for security reasons Irradiation by UV lamps in rod form 6.

The folding box 1 as packaging can be on the outside also made of a paper-polyethylene composite a paper-aluminum-polyethylene composite or the like consist.

To increase or ensure sterility the filling and sterilization process even under overpressure with a sterile gas, e.g. Nitrogen or Carbon dioxide, or with finely filtered air become. In this case, the entire facility arranged in a separate airtight housing, with finely filtered air at one point or fed the sterile gas and at another Point is subtracted, the opening ratio are selected so that an overpressure is maintained, e.g. in that the outlet openings are smaller than the entry openings. This procedure will also Called "laminar flow". This way the intrusion of contaminated air, e.g. Spores, germs or other contaminants.

Fig. 11 shows a detail of an enlarged view the filled folding box 1 at the consumer with a piercing part, e.g. a spout 9. The spike 9 is with one or two Cutting edges 10, possibly also with more Cutting edges 10, provided on the front. Becomes the spout 9 on the opening 5 or the adapter ring 4 set and rotated in the direction of arrow 11, see above cuts or cut the cutting edges 10, the inner film 2 in this area. In advantageous Way it is ensured that the cut Part of the inner film 2 is not completely separated so that the spout cannot be blocked. The insertion spout 9 is hollow on the inside and offers in this way a spout 12, making it at the same time serves as an outlet nozzle. If necessary, the Puncture grommet 9 with a rear ring shoulder 13 a connecting hose (not shown) that is pushed over the ring shoulder 13, connected. A spout can then be placed over the connecting hose respectively. Instead of a connecting hose can of course also be a thread with a Closure cap may be provided or a metering pump. Also a spray head or an outlet tap or outlet valve are possible.

When screwing in the spout 9 into the opening 5 the adapter ring 4 is also to ensure that a tight connection between the adapter ring 4 and the Piercing sleeve 9 is created. This can e.g. thereby be achieved that the spout 9 in the front Area is provided with an external thread 14, that in a manner not shown via threaded sections 15 connected to the inner circumference of the adapter ring 4 is, wherein the threaded portions in an advantageous manner 15 and thus a tight connection is achieved that the thread 14 at a corresponding Elasticity of the adapter ring 4 in the threaded sections 15 when screwing in the direction of arrow 11 corresponding Cuts thread.

Of course, within the scope of the invention other tight connection types are possible. Essential is that only through to the consumer a piercing part 9, which is basically designed arbitrarily can be a cutting or piercing the Opening 5 of the adapter ring 4 takes place.

Claims (9)

Process for the sterile or germ-free filling of a packaging provided with an inner film, in particular a folding box, for powdery, granular, pasty products or liquids, in particular foodstuffs, with the following steps: a) erecting the packaging (1) and placing the adapter ring on the inside against a tubular inner film (2), b) gluing or sealing the adapter ring to the inside of the inner film (2), c) sterilizing or sanitizing the inside of the packaging (1) and the inner film (2) d) closing an end face of the tubular inner film (2) by gluing or sealing the inner film (2) while maintaining sterility, e) filling the interior of the inner film (2) from the still free end face with the product or with the liquid, f) gluing or sealing the still open end face after filling, and g) folding the packaging (1). Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the adapter ring (4) made of polyethylene is sealed with a composite film which is also made of polyethylene at least on the side facing the adapter ring (4). The method of claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the packaging (1) is rotated during the treatment and the filling is carried out from the lower end. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that
the filling and sterilizing process is carried out under overpressure with a sterile gas, eg nitrogen or carbon dioxide, or with very fine filtered air. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that
one or more radiation devices are provided for sterilization or for sanitizing. Device according to claim 5,
characterized in that
UV radiation devices, which can be inserted into the interior of the inner film (2), are provided as radiation devices. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that
In order to open the packaging (1) at the consumer, a piercing part (9) is provided, which pierces the inner film (2) inside the ring of the adapter ring (4) and which can be connected tightly to the adapter ring (4). Device according to claim 7,
characterized in that
the tight connection is created by an external thread (14) arranged in the insertion part, in particular an insertion spout (9), which has threaded sections (15) which are located in the region of the inner peripheral wall of the adapter ring (3) and which are screwed in when the external thread is screwed in (14) can be produced, work together. Device according to claim 7,
characterized in that
the piercing part (9) is hollow, is provided with at least one cutting edge (10) in the front area and with an outlet (12) in the rear area.

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